MLB Player News

Buxton (shoulder) participated in live batting practice Wednesday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Buxton underwent surgery on his torn labrum in September, placing his availability for Opening Day in some doubt. The fact that he's already hitting early in camp suggests that he'll likely be ready for the start of the season, but he'll have to get through the next few weeks without setbacks.

Cabrera said he's lost weight from last season in an effort to take pressure off his knees and stay healthy this year, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Cabrera didn't give an exact number for his weight, but noted that he's about the same weight as he was four to five years ago. The 36-year-old has dealt with a variety of injuries the past few seasons, reaching 150 games played just once since 2014. Even if he manages to stay fully healthy in 2020, Cabrera seems unlikely to play that many contests, as the team will be cautious about overworking the veteran.

Cespedes (ankle) looked good running and hitting Monday, Justin Toscano of The Bergen Record reports.

Cespedes also took part in fielding drills, though his overall participation was still limited. While it would obviously be better for him to be a full participant at the start of spring, any indications that his health is trending in the right direction are certainly a good thing for a player who's appeared in just 119 total games over the last three seasons. It remains to be seen just how big of a role the Mets can expect him to play this season.

Solak arrived at camp early and is taking fly balls in center field, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

Solak, who can field multiple positions, is being considered for semi-regular duty at first base and center field. Those are two positions without a set starter as the Rangers open spring training. Danny Santana is in the mix at center field, but the Rangers may determine they want him to be a utility player, the role he had last season during a breakout campaign. In that case, Solak could be the primary center fielder. However it all shakes out, Solak will be in line for a significant increase in plate appearances in 2020.

Manager Dave Roberts said Pederson will likely occupy the large side of a platoon in left field, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Assuming Pederson -- who was reportedly traded to the Angels earlier in the offseason before the deal fell through -- is on the Dodgers' Opening Day roster, he's expected to share playing time in left field with A.J. Pollock. Pederson occupied a similar role in 2019, starting 104 games against righties but just six against southpaws.

Miller signed a one-year, major-league contract with the Cardinals on Wednesday.

The 30-year-old's career appeared to be stalling out before his landed with the Phillies in the middle of last season and slashed .263/.331/.610 over 130 plate appearances to close the year. That display of power was quite a surprise for a player with a career .419 slugging percentage, but it evidently impressed the Cardinals enough that he was offered a big-league deal. Miller can play anywhere on the infield as well as the outfield corners, which should help him earn a bench spot, at minimum. He could even play a larger role if he hits well enough to wrest at-bats away from Tommy Edman or Kolten Wong.

Buxton (shoulder) has been cleared to start swinging a bat, but he has not joined teammates in on-field batting cage sessions, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Buxton underwent season-ending surgery Sept. 10 to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder. The Twins will play it safe with his recovery during spring, but at this point it looks likely that he'll be ready for Opening Day. If healthy, he'll be Minnesota's starting center fielder in 2020.

Ohtani (elbow) could return to a major-league mound in mid-May, Maria Torres of the Los Angeles Times reports.

The Angels said Ohtani "completed" his Tommy John rehabilitation in December, but it sounds like they still plan on slow-playing him on the mound in spring training with an eye toward a return to pitching during the second month of the regular season. There has been nothing to suggest Ohtani's hitting will be limited out of the gate, so expect him to serve as the primary DH to begin 2020 before eventually playing both ways.

Pederson's reported trade from the Dodgers to the Angels fell through Sunday night and will not happen, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Pederson's deal was dependent on the original attempted Mookie Betts trade between the Dodgers and Red Sox. According to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, Angels owner Arte Moreno expressed his frustration regarding the delay leading up to the trade being rescinded. The 27-year-old Pederson returns to a loaded Dodgers outfield for the time being, but he remains one of the club's top trade assets as Los Angeles aims to fall below the luxury tax heading into the 2020 season.

Pederson lost his arbitration case Friday and will make $7.75 million this season, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Pederson had filed for $9.5 million after a season in which he hit .249/.339/.538 with 36 homers. With his trade from the Dodgers to the Angels not yet being formally completed pending the finalization of the Mookie Betts deal, Pederson's arbitration case was handled by his soon-to-be-former team, which should avoid any potential ill will between him and the Angels.