MLB Player News

Angels manager Joe Maddon said Saturday that Ohtani could be the team's leadoff hitter this year, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Ohtani's ability to reach base (.372 OBP last season) and speed (26 thefts) are certainly fitting for a leadoff hitter, though the two-way star's big power (46 homers) typically fits best in the heart of the order. Ohtani most often hit in the No. 2 spot last season while David Fletcher was the team's primary leadoff man, but Fletcher posted a below-average .297 OBP on the campaign. Should Ohtani be moved up, Maddon indicated that he could be followed in the order by Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon, likely leading to plenty of run-scoring opportunities at the cost of some RBI chances.

Winker went 1-for-3 with a two-run double in a Cactus League loss to the Angels on Sunday.

The recent trade acquisition had gone hitless in his first two at-bats with his new team Friday, but his third-inning two-bagger Sunday brought home Cal Raleigh and J.P. Crawford to erase an early 1-0 deficit. Winker's timely hit came off right-handed Angeles reliever Janson Junk, but manager Scott Servais has already gone on record with his plans to give the lefty-swinging Winker more opportunities against southpaws than he typically received in Cincinnati.

Ohtani will pitch in his first Cactus League game of the spring Monday against Kansas City, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Ohtani had previously been scheduled to make his first pitching appearance of spring training in a minor-league game, but the Angels changed direction and will now have him throw in their fourth Cactus League contest. The two-way star made his spring debut as a hitter Saturday against Arizona, going 1-for-2 with an RBI single.

Soler has agreed to a three-year deal with the Marlins, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Soler was one of the big-ticket free agents left on the market and provides outfield help that Miami had been looking for. The 2021 World Series MVP should see time at both right field and DH and hit in the middle of the Marlins' lineup.

Carpented signed a minor-league contract with the Rangers on Friday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

While the Rangers made a handful of big additions this offseason, their roster still has plenty of spots up for grabs. Carpenter will presumably be looking to win a bench infield role. There's not a lot left in the 36-year-old's bat, however, as he's been below-average according to wRC+ for three straight seasons. Last year, he hit just .169/.305/.275 while striking out 30.9 percent of the time.

Goins signed a minor-league contract with Atlanta on Sunday, which includes an invite to big-league camp.

Goins was in the organization last season at Triple-A Gwinnett and is back with Atlanta for 2022. He hit .233/.305/.330 with six home runs and 35 RBI in 91 games at Triple-A in 2021 and is a long shot to make the Opening Day roster.

Buxton went 1-for-2 with a single and stolen base in his spring training debut in Thursday's loss to Boston. "My legs feel good, my hips feel good, I feel good. Nothing holding me back now," he told the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Buxton hit .306 with 16 home runs, a .647 SLG and a 1.005 OPS last season, but he played in just 61 games due to multiple injuries. He's played over 100 games just once in his career, so it's encouraging he's at full strength for the start of spring training. Buxton worked with a nutritionist in the offseason to develop a diet that will try to keep inflammation down to help prevent injuries, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Pederson agreed to a contract with the Giants on Wednesday, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

It's a one-year deal worth $6 million, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, and Pederson will return to the west coast after winning his second consecutive World Series last year with Atlanta. He also spent time with the Cubs in 2021 and totaled 18 home runs and 61 RBI with a .732 OPS across 137 games. Pederson has historically been a platoon player given his struggles against left-handed pitching, though he was much better last year with a .265/.348/.378 slash line in 112 plate appearances versus southpaws.

Brewers president of baseball operations David Stearns said Wednesday that McCutchen will see most of his starts at designated hitter in 2022, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Stearns comments came after the Brewers officially announced McCutchen's signing to a one-year, $8.5 million deal. According to Sammon, the Brewers aren't viewing McCutchen as an option in center field, though the five-time All-Star could fill in as a left or right fielder whenever projected starters Christian Yelich and Hunter Renfroe need a day off. McCutchen is coming off a 2021 campaign with the Phillies in which he slugged 27 home runs -- his best total since 2017 -- but a career-worst .222 average capped his overall fantasy utility.

Ohtani tossed his first live batting practice of spring training Wednesday, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Aside from nearly being struck in the face by a comebacker off the bat of non-roster invitee Kean Wong, Ohtani had an uneventful throwing session, which qualifies as good news. The Angels are once again planning to implement a six-man rotation in 2022, affording Ohtani at least five days' rest rather than the standard four in between his pitching starts. He'll likely continue to hit for himself on most of his pitching days and should be a near-everyday designated hitter for the Angels on his non-pitching days, making him most valuable in fantasy leagues where he can be moved between both roles freely. Even in leagues with weekly lineup moves where Ohtani has to be locked in exclusively as either a pitcher or hitter, he should still rank among the top fantasy performers in either role.