MLB Player News

Ohtani (elbow) is scheduled to make his Cactus League debut Tuesday against the White Sox, Patrick Lyons of TheDNVR.com reports.

Ohtani didn't appear in the first few games of spring training as he eased into action following right elbow surgery, but he'll make his first appearance in a Dodgers uniform Tuesday. Though the team will likely exercise caution with the 29-year-old as he prepares for a role as a designated hitter to begin the 2024 season, he'll have just over three weeks to prepare before the Dodgers open the campaign against the Padres in South Korea on March 20. Ohtani expects to get in about 50 competitive at-bats between spring games and simulated games ahead of the season opener.

Manager Joe Espada said Sunday that he plans to bat Alvarez second this season, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Alvarez mostly hit out of the No. 3 hole last season and also has plenty of experience as Houston's cleanup hitter, but the new skipper wants to move him up the lineup. The change shouldn't significantly alter the slugger's run production but should benefit fantasy managers as it will lead to more plate appearances over the course of a full season.

Blackmon is expected to serve as the Rockies' primary designated hitter in 2024, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reports.

Blackmon signed a one-year, $13 million extension with the Rockies just before the close of the 2023 campaign. Given that financial commitment, he's expected to keep a significant role on the team. Blackmon has stated a desire to play regularly in right field, but manager Bud Black is prioritizing carefully managing the veteran's workload.

Morel went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Friday's Cactus League game against the White Sox.

Morel started at third base, which is where he's slated to see most of his playing time, at least in the early going. The 24-year-old got off to a flying start in the power department last season and now has his spring campaign started on the right foot as well. If Morel sees regular time at the hot corner and can build on the positives from his 2023 campaign, a big 2024 could be in store.

Ford signed a minor-league contract with the Reds on Friday that includes an invite to big-league camp, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Ford had a .228/.323/.475 slash line with 16 home runs in 84 games with the Mariners last season before being cut loose in November. The Reds already have a logjam of quality bats, so Ford is unlikely to see much playing time even if he manages to crack the big-league roster.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Thursday that Ohtani (elbow) could make his Cactus League debut next week, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

While Ohtani will be held out of game action through the weekend as he eases into things following right elbow surgery, his spring debut isn't far off. It would still give the designated hitter about three weeks of game action ahead of the Dodgers' March 20-21 series in South Korea against the Padres.

Stanton entered spring training noticeably slimmer after adding more movement and running to his offseason workouts, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Stanton indicated that he isn't certain how much weight he lost, but pictures from camp show that he is slimmer than in past campaigns. Manager Aaron Boone suggested that both the player and the team feel the lost weight can help Stanton "with some of the things that he's dealt with from an injury standpoint," per Chris Kirschner of The Athletic. Stanton has missed 113 games combined over the past two campaigns, so it would be a significant boon to his fantasy value if he could avoid the injured list this season.

Buxton told reporters Monday that he thinks he can steal 30 bases this season, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Buxton has never stolen 30 bases in a major-league season, with the closest coming back in 2017 when he pilfered 29 bags. That was also the only time he's played 100-plus games in a season. Since 2020, Buxton has stolen a total of 26 bases across 277 contests. The odds that he is able to stay healthy enough to reach the 30-steal plateau in 2024 aren't high, but it's nonetheless encouraging that he's feeling good enough to make such a proclamation. Buxton is slated to return to center field this season after spending all of 2023 at designated hitter.

Ohtani (elbow) will take live batting practice Monday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

There seems to have been some confusion over the last few days as to when Ohtani was taking live BP, but Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has confirmed that it will be Monday. It will be the first time Ohtani has faced live pitching since he underwent surgery on his right elbow in September.

Ohtani was originally scheduled to take live batting practice Sunday, but he won't do so after all, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Ardaya reported earlier Sunday that Ohtani would be facing Michael Grove in a live batting practice session, but that plan has apparently been scrapped. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts insisted that the change of direction has nothing to do with Ohanti's health and suggested that the slugger is simply being given the freedom to direct his own schedule. Ohtani has been taking normal batting practice and may do so again Sunday, per Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times.