MLB Player News

Manager Dave Roberts stated he's unlikely to deploy Ohtani (shoulder) as a pitcher during the team's opening series against the Cubs in Tokyo, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.

The Dodgers are expected to exercise caution as the club brings him back to the mound following Tommy John surgery, so this report isn't a big surprise. Roberts also mentioned that once Ohtani is cleared to pitch, he expects to utilize the reigning MVP in the DH slot on the days he pitches.

Brewers general manager Matt Arnold said Monday that it's "hard to say at the moment" whether Woodruff (shoulder) will be part of the team's Opening Day rotation, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Arnold added of Woodruff that the team will be "cautious with him and his health," indicating that while the expectation is to have him in the rotation at some point next season, it's no guarantee it will be as soon as Opening Day. Woodruff underwent surgery last October to repair the anterior capsule in his right shoulder and began throwing off a mound in late August.

Brewers general manager Matt Arnold said Monday that Yelich (back) isn't swinging a bat yet but is doing other baseball movements, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Arnold added that Yelich is "in a really good spot right now" and should be ready to go early on in spring training. Yelich underwent a season-ending microdiscectomy procedure Aug. 16 to address a herniated disc in his lower back, an injury which has plagued the outfielder for years.

Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said Monday that Mauricio (knee) has begun baseball activities, Abbey Mastracco of the New York Daily News reports.

Mauricio underwent right ACL surgery last December and then had an additional operation on the same knee in August to remove scar tissue. It's been a slow road to recovery for the young infielder, but it appears he's finally ready to start ramping things back up. Whether Mauricio will be 100 percent for spring training is not yet clear.

Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said Monday that Baty could be used in a utility role next season, Abbey Mastracco of the New York Daily News reports.

Baty was used some at second base in the minors last season and Stearns has previously mentioned the outfield as a possibility for the 25-year-old, so the hints at a potential utility role had been there. Of course, Baty's name has also been brought up in trade rumors and his most likely role for the Mets at this point might be as a trade chip.

Manager Derek Shelton said Monday that Rodriguez (elbow) is expected to be fully healthy for the start of spring training, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Rodriguez was sidelined for the entire 2024 campaign after undergoing surgery to repair the UCL and flexor tendon in his right elbow in December of 2023. He was able to progress in his recovery enough to go on a rehab assignment with Double-A Altoona in September, and it appears the 24-year-old right-hander will be able to report for the start of spring training. Rodriguez played in 57 regular-season games for the Pirates in 2023 and finished with a slash line of .220/.284/.328 with three home runs and 13 RBI over 204 plate appearances.

Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said Monday that the team views Vientos as its third baseman right now, Abbey Mastracco of the New York Daily News reports.

"Right now" is key, of course, as the Mets seem virtually certain to acquire a corner infielder and that will help determine whether Vientos plays the hot or cold corner. Regardless of the position he plays, Vientos is going to occupy a spot in the middle of the Mets' lineup, perhaps batting third after Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto.

Giants manager Bob Melvin said Monday that Lee (shoulder) will have no restrictions at the start of spring training, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Lee is right at the end of a six-month timetable that was provided following surgery in June to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder. It's not clear what kind of workouts Lee is able to do currently, but it would appear there are no concerns about his readiness for the beginning of camp and Opening Day. The 26-year-old slashed .262/.310/.331 with two home runs and two stolen bases in his first 37 games for the Giants before going under the knife. He's projected to be the Giants' center fielder and likely leadoff man next season.

Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said Monday that the team plans for Edman to be its center fielder next season, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Edman offers the versatility to move around to multiple positions, if needed, and that might be required during the season. However, at this early stage of the offseason, the plan is for the switch hitter to see most of his action in center field. Edman -- who signed a five-year, $74 million contract extension in late November -- slashed .237/.294/.417 in 37 regular-season games and .328/.354/.508 in 16 postseason contests for the Dodgers.

General manager David Stearns said Monday that Blackburn (back) is on track to be ready for Opening Day of the 2025 season, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Blackburn was diagnosed with a cerebrospinal fluid leak in mid-September, which required him to undergo surgery Oct. 11. Barring any setbacks, the timeline for that surgery typically takes 4-to-5 months, and based on Stearns' comments Monday, it appears the 31-year-old right-hander will be ready to pitch for the start of the regular season. Blackburn started 14 regular-season games between the Mets and A's last season and posted a 5-4 record with a 4.66 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 59:21 K:BB across 75.1 innings, though whether he works out of the Mets' rotation or bullpen next year has yet to be determined.