MLB Player News

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of MLB Network, Angels owner Arte Moreno expressed his frustration regarding the delay leading up to the trade being rescinded.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.

The Rangers will look at Solak as a potential option at first base, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Solak, who enters spring training as a utility man, doesn't carry the size of a prototypical first baseman, but the Rangers would like to find a spot in the lineup for his bat. Texas added left-handed hitting free agent Greg Bird to the competition at first base Tuesday. He joins fellow lefty Ronald Guzman and right-handed hitters Sam Travis and Scott Heineman.

Pederson was traded from the Dodgers to the Angels on Tuesday in exchange for infielder Luis Rengifo, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports. Prospect Andy Pages was also sent to the Angels in the deal.

Pederson has been a major part of the Dodgers' outfield over the last five years, but he became expendable with the team acquiring Mookie Betts from the Red Sox earlier in the evening. Pederson had 61 home runs and an .861 OPS over the last two seasons, but he saw only 107 plate appearances versus left-handed pitching as he was utilized in a platoon role. Barring a significant improvement against lefties, the 27-year-old is likely to be used similarly alongside Justin Upton and Mike Trout in the Angels' outfield.

McCutchen (knee) said "for sure" when asked if he anticipates being ready for Opening Day, Meghan Montemurro of The Athletic reports.

McCutchen's first season in Philadelphia was shaping up as a resounding success until he was sidelined after tearing the ACL in his left knee in early June. While the rehab process has been a familiar one for McCutchen after he previously tore the ACL in his right knee in high school, he may have more difficulty re-emerging as an annual double-digit steals threat as he heads into his age-34 campaign. At this stage of his rehab, McCutchen isn't facing any restrictions with his running, throwing or hitting, so as spring training approaches, he's merely just awaiting clearance from the Phillies' medical staff to resume participating in simulated games. Even if McCutchen's prediction comes to pass and he's declared ready to go for Opening Day, expect the outfielder to handle only a light load of games during Grapefruit League play.

Rooker was invited to the Twins' major-league spring training Monday.

Rooker advanced to the Triple-A level in 2019 but missed most of the second half of the season with a groin injury as he appeared in just 65 games for Triple-A Rochester. Over those 65 games, the 25-year-old hit .281/.398/.535 with 14 home runs. He'll get the chance to develop with the major-league coaching staff during spring training and could appear in the majors at some point in 2020.

Baker will join the Cardinals' big-league camp this spring.

Baker may get some at-bats against big-league pitching in the preseason, but he's not likely to be a candidate for regular-season at-bats just yet. He's yet to advance beyond High-A, where he hit .244/.327/.390 (good for a 115 wRC+) in 122 games for Palm Beach last season.

Vargas signed a minor-league contract with the Tigers on Monday, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Vargas has most recently appeared in the Puerto Rican Winter League with Mayaguez, slashing .272/.434/.505 with five homers and 25 RBI in 31 games. His last big-league appearance dates back to 2017 with Minnesota, where he finished with a .253 average, 11 long balls and 41 RBI across 78 contests. Vargas figures to begin the year with Triple-A Toledo.

Winker (neck) could face significant competition for playing time this season, following the Reds' signings of Nick Castellanos and Shogo Akiyama.

Right now Winker has to both prove that he's healthy and then beat out Akiyama or Nick Senzel for playing time, not to mention Aristides Aquino. At best, a platoon role seems most likely absent a trade and/or an injury.