MLB Player News

Bellinger agreed to a three-year, $80 million contract with the Cubs on Sunday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

The contract includes opt-outs after both the 2024 and 2025 seasons. A former Rookie of the Year and National League MVP with the Dodgers, Bellinger's production fell off a cliff in 2021 and 2022, but he rebounded with the Cubs last season (.881 OPS, 26 home runs, 20 steals). Still just 28 years old, he will have a chance to build on what he accomplished in Chicago while playing under new manager Craig Counsell. Bellinger primarily hit cleanup last season under former skipper David Ross.

Hill has transitioned to a relief role for the Rockies, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Hill was selected in the second round of the 2021 First-Year Player Draft but did not make his debut until 2022 due to his recovery from Tommy John surgery. He worked as a starter thereafter and reached High-A Spokane in 2023, but the Rockies ultimately decided to shift him to a relief role during the Arizona Fall League. With a fastball that can touch triple digits, Hill has the potential to work in a high-leverage role at some point in his professional career.

Blackmon is expected to serve as the Rockies' primary designated hitter in 2024, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reports.

Blackmon signed a one-year, $13 million extension with the Rockies just before the close of the 2023 campaign. Given that financial commitment, he's expected to keep a significant role on the team. Blackmon has stated a desire to play regularly in right field, but manager Bud Black is prioritizing carefully managing the veteran's workload.

Hernandez has admitted to having difficulty picking up the ball while playing at T-Mobile Park in Seattle last season, Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register reports.

T-Mobile doesn't have the friendliest dimensions, anyway, and it sounds like Hernandez might have been facing some additional disadvantages. The 31-year-old batted .295 with an .830 OPS on the road in 2023 while sporting a lowly .217 average and .643 OPS at home. Now with a more hitter-friendly Dodger Stadium to call home as well as a terrific supporting cast around him, Hernandez appears poised for a nice bounce-back 2024 campaign.

Ramos is feeling better after taking a pitch off his right knee during Saturday's spring training game versus the Cubs, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Ramos looked to be in pain as he limped off the field after getting plunked, but manager Bob Melvin said Ramos could return to the Giants' lineup Sunday, so it seems the 24-year-old outfielder escaped relatively unscathed. Ramos owns a .158/.220/.250 slash line through 82 career MLB plate appearances and is likely to return to Triple-A Sacramento to begin 2024.

Ramos was removed from Saturday's Cactus League game against the Cubs after getting hit in the foot by a pitch, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Ramos was able to limp off the field after taking the pitch off his right foot/ankle. He will likely go into the clubhouse for imaging, and the Giants should be able to offer more information on the severity of his injury after Saturday's game.

Floro experienced tightness in his shoulder Saturday and will be shut down for a few days, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Neither Floro nor the Nationals are too concerned about his shoulder since Floro said he's dealt with similar tightness multiple times before during past springs. Still, the Nats will err on the side of caution and rest Floro, but the 33-year-old reliever's status for Opening Day shouldn't be affected.

Carlson (ankle) started in center field in Saturday's split-squad Grapefruit League game versus the Marlins, hitting leadoff and going 0-for-2.

It's an encouraging sign that Carlson is ready to go at full speed for the start of the spring slate after he underwent ankle surgery in September. The 25-year-old outfielder doesn't have a projected starting role yet, but he should get plenty of time in center early in the spring due to Tommy Edman (wrist) not yet being cleared to play the field. A switch hitter, Carlson should be able to carve out a sizable role this season even if he begins as a fourth outfielder.

Roupp (back) has impressed catcher Tom Murphy at the Giants' camp, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Roupp was stalled out in the middle of 2023 with back issues, but he pitched to a 1.74 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 42:9 K:BB over 31 innings across 10 starts at Double-A Richmond last season. It's unclear if he'll return to Richmond or start 2024 at Triple-A Sacramento, assuming he avoids injuries during the spring. Roupp relies on a curveball and a two-seam fastball, but he's also workshopping a four-seamer and a cutter in camp.

Garrett (shoulder) threw his first bullpen session of the spring Friday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

The Marlins are still taking things slow when it comes to Garrett's throwing program, but manager Skip Schumaker was encouraged by Garrett's performance Friday, calling it "one of the better bullpens he's thrown." It's unclear how long it will be before Garrett is able to pitch in a Grapefruit League game, but he should be ready to go by Opening Day.