MLB Player News

Hummel was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento by the Giants on Monday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Hummel was picked up via trade from the Mets back in January but wasn't about to snatch one of the Giants' reserve roles. The 29-year-old's versatility should eventually earn him a look, however.

Pederson started at designated hitter and went 2-for-3 with a three-run home run in Friday's Cactus League game against the Cubs.

Pederson swatted his first spring home run and is 4-for-13 with three walks through six games. He's started four of those games in the outfield, but Pederson is expected to serve as the primary DH against right-handers in 2024.

Almonte is heading to the Mexican League, Kiley McDaniel of ESPN.com reports.

Almonte elected free agency after spending much of the 2023 season in Triple-A for the Mets. The outfielder has a career .671 OPS over parts of 11 big-league seasons, but he saw just eight games in the majors in 2023. The 34-year-old now finds a new home by joining Tabasco of the Mexican League.

Vogelbach is making a strong push for a spot on Toronto's Opening Day roster, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

The 31-year-old signed as a non-roster invitee in February with Toronto, and an early spring homer off Gerrit Cole served as a reminder of what Vogelbach can provide to the club off the bench. Meanwhile, his main competition for a role as a left-handed DH and pinch hitter, Spencer Horwitz, is still looking for his first hit of the spring through six games. After a rough start to the 2023 campaign with the Mets, Vogelbach rebounded to slash .245/.344/.481 after the All-Star break with eight home runs in 122 plate appearances.

Rooker went 1-for-3 with a run in a Cactus League win over the Angels on Wednesday.

The Athletics' primary designated hitter was 0-for-4 through his first two spring games, but he's bounced back to go 4-for-15 with a home run, two RBI, a walk, a stolen base and four runs over his subsequent five exhibitions. Rooker broke out with an out-of-nowhere 30-homer tally in 2023 while playing a career-high 137 games, although a 32.7 percent strikeout rate he'll be looking to significantly shave down this season helped cap his adequate .246 average and encouraging .329 on-base percentage from being even better.

Miller signed a minor-league contract with the Padres on Tuesday that includes an invitation to spring training, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Miller slashed a measly .212/.283/.324 over the last two seasons with the Rangers while battling some injuries. The 34-year-old had an .812 OPS across the three seasons prior to that, however, so the Padres will give him a shot to see if he has anything left in the tank. Miller will compete for a reserve role.

McCutchen (Achilles) will make his spring debut Tuesday against the Blue Jays, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

The veteran has been slow-played this spring after a partial tear of his left Achilles' tendon ended his 2023 season. McCutchen said that he thinks his modified program in camp has helped get his body into a great spot. While he's not the player he once was, McCutchen showed early on last year that he still has something in the tank, posting an .823 OPS over the first two months.

While Canario may push for a reserve outfield role in camp, he's likely to start the season with Triple-A Iowa, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Canario gives the Cubs a potential option to mash against lefties, but he's still likely to begin the year in the minors. The 23-year-old made his MLB debut last season and appeared in six games, recording a double, a triple and a home run during that limited run. If Canario impresses at Triple-A, he may force his way into Chicago's plans at some point this summer.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said in an interview on MLB Network Radio on Monday that while he's been pleased with Morel's defensive work, the third base job is "not going to be solved in spring training."

Morel is going to get an extended look at the hot corner and may very well be the long-term answer there, but Counsell doesn't plan to make that decision based on what happens in spring training. Worth noting is that Morel's chief competitors at the hot corner, Nick Madrigal (leg) and Patrick Wisdom (quad), are both banged up. Ultimately, Morel figures to garner plenty of at-bats, whether that's mostly at third base, designated hitter or bouncing around to many positions.

Soler has gone 5-for-10 over four Cactus League games.

Soler was a little delayed getting into game action after signing with the Giants in mid-February. It hasn't slowed him down so far, as he looks to be the reliable middle-of-the-order bat the Giants expected. Soler hasn't logged an extra-base hit yet in the spring, but he's making good contact.