MLB Player News

Dahl signed a minor-league contract with the Phillies on Friday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

After inking a minor-league deal with the Dodgers last June, Dahl subsequently slashed .282/.354/.493 with a 102 wRC+ in 54 games with Triple-A Oklahoma City. He will now look to catch on in Philadelphia.

Bohm will make $4 million in 2024 after winning his arbitration hearing with the Phillies on Thursday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

The Phillies had offered $3.4 million, but the ruling went in Bohm's favor. It's a nice raise for the third baseman in what was his first year of arbitration eligibility. Bohm is coming off a 2023 campaign which saw him slash .274/.327/.437 with 20 home runs and 97 RBI.

Merrifield agreed to a one-year, $8 million contract with the Phillies on Friday that includes an $8 million club option for 2025, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Merrifield may not have an everyday spot in the lineup with his new team, but he should still be able to garner regular playing time between the infield and outfield thanks to his versatility. The 35-year-old played in 145 games for the Blue Jays last season and had a .272/.318/.382 slash line with 11 home runs, 67 RBI, 66 runs and 26 steals. He could see plenty of early action in left field if Brandon Marsh (knee) isn't quite ready for Opening Day.

Kinley will compete this spring with Justin Lawrence to be the Rockies' closer, Patrick Lyons of TheDNVR.com reports.

Kinley missed much of the 2023 season following flexor tendon surgery but led the club with five saves in September. He didn't exactly pitch well that month, though, blowing one save opportunity and allowing five runs over 10.2 innings. It's a situation unlikely to bear much fantasy fruit no matter who wins -- Pierce Johnson led the Rockies with 13 saves last season.

Lawrence and Tyler Kinley are competing this spring to become the Rockies' closer, Patrick Lyons of TheDNVR.com reports.

Manager Bud Black indicated that he plans to name one of the two relievers his closer prior to Opening Day. Lawrence's 11 saves in 2023 leads all returning Rockies relievers, but Kinley notched five saves in September. For fantasy purposes, this is one of the shakiest closer situations in baseball.

Lux has been cleared to ditch the heavy knee brace he had been wearing on his surgically repaired right knee, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

He is still wearing a compression sleeve, however. Lux missed the entire 2023 season following surgery to repair the ACL and LCL in his knee, but he's full-go this spring and is slated to open the season as the Dodgers' starting shortstop.

Ohtani (elbow) is scheduled to take live batting practice next week, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

It had been reported that Ohtani would take live BP on Friday, but evidently that was a scheduling snafu. The two-way superstar has been hitting this week without restrictions and is almost ready to face live pitching for the first time since September surgery on his right elbow.

Manager Torey Luvollo said Friday that Perdomo will begin the season as Arizona's primary shortstop, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.comreports.

Top prospect Jordan Lawlar made his MLB debut last season and will soon receive an extended look in the big leagues, but Perdomo's .712 OPS during the regular season last year and .754 OPS during the playoffs will help him keep the starting gig at shortstop for now. Perdomo totaled six home runs, 47 RBI, 71 runs and 16 steals in 144 contests, and he has a limited fantasy ceiling.

Arenado (back) is in better shape entering 2024, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Arenado has taken up pilates to be more flexible, losing a few pounds in the process. The 32-year-old third baseman is still expected to be the Cardinals' starter at the hot corner in 2024, so getting a little fitter can only help to keep him on the field. He had a challenging 2023, as did many Cardinals, slashing .266/.315/.459 with 26 home runs, 93 RBI, 71 runs scored, 26 doubles and three stolen bases over 144 contests. It was the first time he finished with an OPS under .800 in a full season since his rookie year with the Rockies in 2013.

Wisely is in contention for games at shortstop, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Wisely's likely best suited for a utility role if he breaks camp with the Giants, but shortstop is a thin position for the team. The unproven Marco Luciano is viewed as the favorite to start, while Casey Schmitt, Tyler Fitzgerald and Thairo Estrada could also see action at the position. Wisely isn't likely to be a great fantasy option after slashing .175/.231/.267 across 131 plate appearances in 2023.