MLB Player News

Arenado (back) is scheduled to take live batting practice Monday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Arenado's involvement in the Cardinals' first full-squad workout of spring training implies that he reported to camp with no restrictions after he closed the 2023 season on the 10-day injured list due to lower-back spasms. In an effort to improve his flexibility and avoid further back problems during the upcoming campaign, Arenado took up pilates and shed a few pounds in the offseason. The 32-year-old still boasts an elite glove at third base, but he showed his some slight signs of decline in 2023, with his .774 OPS representing a 117-point decline from 2022. Arenado's batted-ball data also mirrored the dropoff in most of the counting categories, with his barrel rate, hard-hit percentage and average exit velocity all ranking in the bottom 40 percent of hitters in the league.

Yastrzemski could be limited for the first 7-to-10 days of Giants camp because of a left shoulder impingement, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Yastrzemski is still able to play catch from 90 feet and isn't limited from a hitting perspective, so the injury doesn't seem like something for his fantasy managers to be overly concerned about. The 33-year-old is currently projected to serve as San Francisco's right fielder against right-handed pitching.

Donovan (elbow) will have his throwing monitored and is likely to play only second base for the time being, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Donovan had surgery last August to repair his right flexor tendon. The utility player had expressed hope last month that he wouldn't be limited at all as camp opened, but evidently the Cardinals have a more cautious plan. Donovan is likely to see most of his action at second base this season but, assuming his elbow cooperates, should play some all over the field.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Monday that Carlson's running will be limited initially this spring following September left ankle surgery, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Carlson was cleared back in December to do some running, but the Cardinals are seemingly planning on a slow ramp-up process for the outfielder in spring training. The 25-year-old shouldn't have trouble being ready to go for Opening Day in late March, though. He projects to begin the season as St. Louis' fourth outfielder.

Edman (wrist) will miss the first team workout in Cardinals camp because of a stomach bug, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Edman is also being eased into spring training following offseason wrist surgery, which is the more important thing to keep tabs on with regard to his status. The 28-year-old will be behind schedule from a hitting perspective, and it's not clear when he might be ready for his first Grapefruit League game, but Edman anticipates being ready to go come Opening Day.

Woodruff (shoulder) signed a two-year contract with the Brewers on Monday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

The financial details of the deal are not yet known. Woodruff was non-tendered by the Brewers earlier this offseason after he underwent surgery to repair the anterior capsule in his right shoulder. The veteran right-hander is expected to be sidelined for the duration of the 2024 campaign, with Milwaukee hoping it can get Woodruff back to ace-level production in 2025. Woodruff held a 2.28 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 74:15 K:BB over 67 innings covering 11 starts in 2023.

Voit signed a minor-league contract with the Mets on Monday that includes an invitation to spring training, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Voit finished the 2023 season with the Mets' Triple-A Syracuse affiliate, posting a 1.058 OPS with 14 home runs through 37 games. He's likely headed back to Syracuse to begin the 2024 campaign, providing a depth option at designated hitter if Mark Vientos flops or needs to play more third base. Voit had just a .549 OPS in 74 plate appearances for the Brewers last season.

Ort was designated for assignment by the Phillies on Monday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Philadelphia needed to clear a spot on its 40-man roster as its contract with Whit Merrifield became official. Ort was claimed off waivers just last week and now could be on the move again. He held an ugly 6.26 ERA over 23 innings in 2023.

Marte reported to camp fully healthy and appears to have put last season's groin issues behind him, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

A stint in the Dominican Winter League offered further proof that the 35-year-old outfielder is healthy again, as he stole two bases in 11 postseason games for Leones del Escogido while posting a .388 OBP. Marte underwent core muscle surgery in November 2022 and never seemed to fully bounce back, eventually suiting up for only 86 games in 2023 with a career-worst .248/.301/.324 slash line. He's never been an iron man -- Marte's topped 600 plate appearances only twice in his career, and not since 2018 -- but if he feels like himself again, he might produce something closer to the .301/.365/.463 line he delivered in 2021-22 while averaging 516 PAs.

Gonzales (forearm) is healthy to begin spring training, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Gonzales managed only 10 starts and 50 innings in 2023 before undergoing surgery to address a forearm issue. He was then traded twice this offseason but figures to settle into being either the second or third starting pitcher in Pittsburgh behind Mitch Keller and potentially Martin Perez. In addition to his rehab, Gonzales also went to Driveline during the offseason to work on regaining the feel on his cutter while attempting to pick up some added velocity.