MLB Player News

Vogelbach signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Pirates on Tuesday, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports. The contract contains a $1.5 million team option for 2023 and an additional $400,000 in performance-based incentives.

MLB's adoption of the universal designated hitter likely played a major part in Vogelbach earning a spot on the Pirates' 40-man roster, as the 29-year-old has historically been a liability defensively even at first base. With the DH now in place in the National League, Vogelbach should have a clear path to an everyday spot in the lineup against right-handed pitching, provided he can keep his strikeouts in check. For his career, the lefty-hitting Vogelbach has been a well above league-average performer versus righties, slashing .228/.357/.442 (117 wRC+).

Beer (shoulder) was a full participant in Monday's workout, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Beer, who underwent surgery last September, is expected to compete to earn a portion of the designated hitter at-bats. In five September games for Arizona in 2021, Beer went 4-for-9 with a home run, a double, three RBI and four runs scored.

McCutchen agreed to a contract with the Brewers on Monday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Philadelphia declined McCutchen's $15 million option for 2022 back in November, and the veteran outfielder will continue his career in Milwaukee. The Brewers already have an established outfield group with Christian Yelich, Lorenzo Cain, Hunter Renfroe and Tyrone Taylor, but the introduction of the designated hitter to the National League opens up some at-bats. McCutchen had a .778 OPS with 27 home runs and 80 RBI in 144 games last season, though he did most of that damage against left-handed pitching with a .293/.405/.622 slash line in 195 plate appearances.

Manager David Ross said Monday that Ramirez hasn't yet reported to spring training due to travel complications, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Ramirez was dealt from the Guardians to the Cubs in November of 2021, but he hasn't yet joined his new club for camp following the league's lockout. The 27-year-old made 99 appearances for Cleveland last year and hit .268 with seven home runs, 41 RBI, 33 runs and three stolen bases. Once he reports to camp, he'll attempt to carve out at-bats as a depth option in the outfield ahead of the 2022 campaign.

GM Jerry Dipoto said Monday that Lewis (knee) isn't expected to be ready to start on Opening Day, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Lewis has yet to be cleared for full workouts in spring training, as the Mariners are expressing significant caution early on in camp after the 26-year-old missed the final four months of the 2021 campaign. Lewis could also see more action at designated hitter early on to help reduce his workload once he's cleared for game action.

The Mariners are acquiring Winker and Eugenio Suarez from the Reds on Monday in exchange for Jake Fraley, Justin Dunn and minor-league pitcher Brandon Williamson, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Winker earned an All-Star nod with the Reds last season and finished the campaign with a .305/.393/.556 slash line to go along with 24 home runs, 32 doubles, 77 runs and 71 RBI in 110 games. The 28-year-old is arbitration eligible for 2022 and 2023, so he'll be in Seattle for at least the next two seasons, barring another trade. Winker will step into an everyday role with the Mariners and be a key piece of the lineup.

Turner (hamstring) was spotted taking live at-bats against teammate Clayton Kershaw on Monday during the Dodgers' team workout, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Turner and Mookie Betts were among the lineup regulars who took hacks against Kershaw in the ace's first live batting practice throwing session of 2022, indicating that all three players are healthy again after tending to injuries during last year's playoff run. Los Angeles could still look to add another major piece to an already prolific offense before Opening Day, but Turner's status as an everyday player won't be in question regardless of what moves the Dodgers might make. After inking a two-year, $34 million contract last February, he made good on the first season of the deal by hitting .278 with 27 home runs, 87 RBI and 87 runs over 151 games.

Lewis will get his surgically repaired knee checked out before he's cleared to go through full workouts during spring training, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Lewis didn't appear in a game after the end of May last season while recovering from a torn meniscus. While it initially appeared as though he had a chance to return late in the season, a setback wound up sidelining him for the rest of the campaign. It doesn't appear as though the reports of the Mariners' caution are linked to any specific setback, but it makes sense for the team not to push him. Assuming that the careful approach, which may include frequent starts at designated hitter, is able to keep him in the lineup on a regular basis this season, he could be a good late-round value, as he posted a 14.0 percent barrel rate alongside a career-best 25.2 percent walk rate in his 36-game stint last season.

Cabrera may see more time as the designated hitter in 2022 if the team wants to play Spencer Torkelson at first base, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Torkelson, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 first-year player draft, will be competing for an Opening Day roster spot in camp. Whenever Torkelson arrives in the majors, he'll likely see time at first, with the veteran Cabrera working as the DH and Jonathan Schoop shifting over to second. After a few injury-plagued seasons, the 38-year-old Cabrera appeared in 130 games for the Tigers last year, recording a .702 OPS, 15 home runs and 75 RBI.

Arizona general manager Mike Hazen did not have an update on Beer (shoulder) this weekend but said he should in a few days, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Beer's five-game entree into MLB last September was a success before he dislocated his shoulder. Team personnel were barred from communicating with 40-man roster players during the lockout, so the Diamondbacks are still in the process of acquiring information on players' health. Now that MLB has adopted the designated hitter for the NL, Beer is considered a leader to become the team's primary DH or at least the left-handed component in a platoon. Beer has consistently posted a slugging percentage above .500 and an OPS over .900 in the minors.