MLB Player News

Ohtani (elbow) will hit on the field Monday for the first time since he underwent an internal brace procedure in September, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Ohtani said last week that he's been swinging the bat at around 100 percent effort and he'll now get to test things out against live pitching. The Dodgers plan to ease Ohtani into workouts during spring training, but the full expectation is that he'll be ready to serve as the designated hitter when the club opens up its season March 20 in South Korea. Per Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com, manager Dave Roberts said at the Dodgers' Feb. 3 Fan Fest event that he has penciled Ohtani in as the team's No. 3 hitter during the upcoming season.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Thursday that he hopes to play Alvarez more in left field this season, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Alvarez made 40 starts in left field last season (versus 73 at designated hitter), but his playing time in left tapered off in the second half after he came back from an oblique injury. The slugger is still expected to be Houston's primary DH in 2024, but Espada also wants to use the spot occasionally to give other regulars a break from playing the field. One of Chas McCormick or Jake Meyers will likely be on the bench on days Alvarez plays left field.

Ohtani (elbow) told reporters Friday that he's swinging the bat at around 100 percent effort, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

The next step for Ohtani as he works his way back from right elbow surgery is to either face live pitching or hitting off a high-velocity pitching machine. The Dodgers will ease the superstar into things this spring, but he's fully expected to be ready to serve as the designated hitter Opening Day. Ohtani will not be ready to pitch again until 2025.

Dodgers' general manager Brandon Gomes said Saturday that Ohtani will be "somewhat limited" to begin spring training, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Ohtani underwent elbow surgery in September and has yet to resume throwing, which is hardly a surprise since he isn't expected to pitch again until 2025. The two-way superstar has resumed hitting drills, however, and he should be ready to serve as the Dodgers' DH without restrictions by Opening Day.

Solak signed a minor-league contract with the Mariners on Tuesday and received an invitation to major-league spring training, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Solak spent all of last season in Triple-A, slashing .238/.353/.362 across 411 plate appearances between three different franchises. He'll have an opportunity to crack Seattle's Opening Day roster as a bench piece, but the 29-year-old outfielder is likely once again headed to Triple-A in 2024.

Turner signed a one-year, $13 million contract with the Blue Jays on Tuesday, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

He can earn an additional $1.5 million in roster and performance bonuses. Turner is expected to be Toronto's primary designated hitter in 2024 while also providing the Jays with an option at third base and first base. Most importantly, he will give the team some more thump in the middle of its lineup. The 39-year-old slashed .276/.345/.455 with 23 home runs and 96 RBI last season with Boston.

Reyes has signed with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball.

Reyes had a promising start to his major-league career but crashed and burned the last two seasons, posting a .624 OPS with a 33.6 percent strikeout rate over 137 games. He's still just 28 and will get a chance to get things back on track overseas.

Pederson signed a one-year, $9.5 million contract with the Diamondbacks on Thursday, which includes a mutual option for 2025, John Gambadoro of 98.7 FM Phoenix reports.

The 31-year-old fits Arizona's desire to add some thump in the designated hitter spot from the left side. Pederson slashed a pedestrian .235/.348/.416 with 15 home runs over 121 contests with the Giants in 2023, but he had a solid .786 OPS versus right-handers and boasts a career .834 OPS against righties.

Torrens signed a minor-league contract with the Yankees on Thursday.

Torrens bounced around between four different organizations last season, managing to record seven hits and four RBI in just 28 big-league at-bats. He figures to operate as organizational depth in Triple-A but could see time in the majors should New York struggle to find production from behind the dish.

Carpenter signed a one-year contract with the Cardinals on Friday.

The 38-year-old slashed just .176/.322/.319 last season with the Padres before being traded to Atlanta over the offseason and then released. He's owed $5.5 million in 2024 but the Cardinals will be responsible only for the veteran minimum. Carpenter could conceivably see time time in the designated hitter spot in St. Louis, but it'll be difficult for the club to justify playing time for him over younger options.