MLB Player News

The Rays expect Choi to serve as their top designated hitter and an occasional first baseman in 2019, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Choi was quietly one of baseball's most productive hitters in the second half last season, supplying a .275/.382/.523 batting line and 149 wRC+, which ranked 17th among all hitters with at least 150 plate appearances after the break. That late-season surge should keep his spot atop the depth chart secure, though Choi will most likely have to settle for a platoon role at DH with Avisail Garcia or at first base with Yandy Diaz. The lefty-hitting Choi should at least benefit from earning the larger side of any timeshare, as Garcia and Diaz are both right-handed hitters.

Manager Mike Shildt said Ozuna (shoulder) has been cleared for all baseball activities, FOX Sports Midwest reports. "We're in a good spot with his timetable," the manager added.

Shildt noted that Ozuna is still limited in some of his throwing, though he's progressing nicely through his throwing program. The Cardinals are expected to ease the outfielder into game action during spring training, starting him out at DH before allowing him to play the field, likely sometime in March. Barring any setbacks, Ozuna is on track to be ready for the start of the season.

Manager Bud Black said Blackmon will start in right field for the Rockies, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

It was originally thought that Blackmon would shift to left field in 2019 with Ian Desmond set to take over primary center field duties, but the Rockies prefer Dahl and his range in left field, leaving Blackmon to man the right side of the outfield. Regardless of where he plays, the veteran outfielder figures to be a staple in Colorado's lineup after hitting .291/.358/.502 with 29 homers and 12 stolen bases in 156 games last season.

Ohtani (elbow) hopes to progress to hitting off a tee during the coming week, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

The two-way phenom appears to be progressing through his rehab program nicely, as he had only been cleared to take dry swings last week. Ohtani still appears to be on track for a return in May, though a firmer date will likely take shape as he advances further in his rehab program.

Cespedes (heel) believes he will return at some point this season, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

The Mets have been vague about the outfielder's timeline, and Cespedes hasn't been able to offer up anything more concrete either, stating that he doesn't know if he'll be back in one month or three months. He doesn't intend to return until he's 100 percent healthy after playing a total of just 119 games over the last two seasons. Cespedes will start throwing next week, Tim Healey of Newsday reports, though he doesn't know when he'll return to hitting.

Blackmon is expected to move to left field for the 2019 season, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

The 32-year-old has been a staple in center field for Colorado, playing exclusively at that position the last three years. However, the Rockies want to reduce some wear and tear on his body, so they plan to move him to a less taxing outfield position. Ideally, less strenuous fielding will help Blackmon produce more at the plate, though anything near the .860 OPS with 29 home runs and 119 runs atop the Rockies batting order is still welcome. To accommodate the change, Ian Desmond is expected to handle primary center field duties in 2019.

Pederson and Alex Verdugo will compete for the starting gig in left field during camp, Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com reports.

A.J. Pollock and Cody Bellinger are slated to spend most of their time in center field and right field, respectively, leaving Pederson and Verdugo to battle for the final outfield spot. Pederson likely has the upper hand, as he made 88 starts in the outfield last season and hit .248/.321/.522 with 25 homers across 443 plate appearances (148 total games). That said, even if he does beat out Verdugo, Pederson's continued struggles against left-handed pitching make a platoon situation likely.

Reyes (knee) will enter spring training with no restrictions, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports. "I don't anticipate we hold him back at all," manager Andy Green said.

Reyes has been cleared for full activity, though Green noted that the Padres may hold him out of some running drills early in camp as they ease him back into action following offseason surgery to repair a torn meniscus. The 23-year-old, who hit .280/.340/.498 with 16 homers in 87 games as a rookie in 2018, will be fighting for a starting gig in San Diego's crowded outfield this spring.

Manager Brad Ausmus said the Angels are hopeful Ohtani (elbow) will be able to return in May, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports. "I'm not going to put a date on it, but we're thinking sometime in May," Ausmus said.

Ohtani has reportedly begun taking dry swings as he continues to work his way back from Tommy John surgery that he underwent in October of 2018. That said, he's still a ways away, and a concrete timetable for his return likely won't come into focus until he progresses further in his recovery.

Jimenez (quadriceps) will make his MLB debut this season, but is not expected to start the season in Chicago, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

From a performance perspective, Jimenez appears ready -- he slashed .337/.384/.584 with 22 home runs and 75 RBI in 108 games at Double-A Birmingham and Triple-A Charlotte -- however, the White Sox can squeeze another year of contractual control over Jimenez by delaying his arrival to Chicago until sometime after April 12.