MLB Player News

Turner (hamstring) has been rehabbing at Dodger Stadium three days a week, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

He started his offseason program earlier than usual to rehab his left hamstring, which put an end to his playoffs midway through the NLCS. Turner shouldn't be at risk of missing spring training.

Vientos was added to the Mets' 40-man roster Friday, Justin Toscano of The Bergen Record reports.

Vientos seems to get overshadowed at times by Brett Baty and Ronny Mauricio, but he's probably going to beat them to the majors and he has big-time power potential. His strikeout rate will likely always be a little high, but he could hit 30-plus home runs if he can make contact at a passable clip.

Hummel's contract was selected by the Diamondbacks on Friday.

Hummel was traded from the Brewers to the Diamondbacks in late July, and he'll now be protected from the Rule 5 draft. He slashed .311/.432/.546 with 12 home runs, 70 runs, 52 RBI and four stolen bases at the Triple-A level in 2021, and he'll likely be in the mix to make his big-league debut next year.

Ramirez was designated for assignment on Friday.

While Ramirez was serviceable last season, he's hardly a building block for Cleveland, and the team added 11 legitimate prospects to the 40-man roster in corresponding moves. He could be with another organization when spring training arrives.

Ohtani was named the 2021 American League MVP on Thursday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Ohtani received all 30 first-place votes following his dominant 2021 campaign. The two-way player excelled on the mound and at the plate during his fourth season with the Angels. He posted a 3.18 ERA and 1.09 WHIP in 130.1 innings across 23 starts as a pitcher while slashing .257/.372/.592 with 46 home runs, 103 runs, 100 RBI and 26 stolen bases as a hitter.

Harper was named the 2021 National League MVP on Thursday, Baseball Writers' Association of America reports.

Harper won the honors for the first time since 2015, and he becomes the fifth player in MLB history to be named MVP with multiple franchises, per Sarah Langs of MLB.com. The 29-year-old received 17 of 30 first-place votes after he slashed .309/.429/.615 with 35 homers, 101 runs, 84 RBI and 13 stolen bases across 141 games in 2021.

Belt (thumb) accepted his one-year, $18.4 million qualifying offer Wednesday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Belt spent the first 11 seasons of his career in San Francisco, and he'll remain with the Giants for at least one more year after accepting his qualifying offer. The 33-year-old missed time with various injuries in 2021, but it's unlikely that the fractured left thumb he suffered late in the season will affect his availability this spring. Belt appeared in 97 games last season and slashed .274/.378/.597 with 29 homers, 65 runs, 59 RBI and three stolen bases.

The Giants extended a qualifying offer to Belt (thumb) on Sunday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Belt missed the final week of the 2021 campaign with a thumb injury, but it's unlikely that the issue will impact his availability for spring training in 2022. The 33-year-old will have 10 days to decide whether to accept the offer from San Francisco.

Martinez declined to exercise his opt-out and will remain with the Red Sox for 2022, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

He will earn $19.35 million for 2022 before hitting the open market after the season. This was not seen as a forgone conclusion, but as a 34-year-old designated hitter, Martinez may have had to settle for a lower annual figure if he tested free agency this winter. He hit .286/.349/.518 with 28 home runs in 148 games and played enough games in the outfield to qualify there in fantasy next season.

Blackmon exercised his $22 million player option for 2022 on Thursday, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

Blackmon's production decreased in 2021, as he slashed .270/.351/.411 with 13 home runs, 78 RBI, 76 runs and three stolen bases across 150 games. However, the 35-year-old should maintain a starting role with a prominent spot in the lineup as he prepares for his 12th season in Colorado.