MLB Player News

Edwards might get squeezed off the Marlins' big-league roster to begin the season, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

The 24-year-old showed off his speed in his major-league debut last season, slashing .295/.329/.333 over 84 plate appearances and going 5-for-5 on steal attempts. Unfortunately for Edwards, the Marlins have Nick Gordon and Vidal Brujan in camp competing for a utility role as well, and while all three players have similar skill sets, the latter two are out of minor-league options. Unless Edwards significantly outplays one of them this spring, he may have to begin 2024 back at Triple-A Jacksonville.

Ohtani (elbow) will take part in live batting practice "soon," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Thursday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Ohtani has already been hitting on the field this week without any limitations. There is no set timetable for when he will appear in Cactus League action as a designated hitter, but it shouldn't be too deep into the schedule. Ohtani is expected to be ready to serve as the Dodgers' DH for their March 20-21 series in South Korea against the Padres.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Thursday that Phillips is in line to receive "the brunt" of the save chances for the team, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

The Dodgers flirted with signing Josh Hader and have been mentioned as a possible landing spot for Kenley Jansen if he's traded. For the time being, however, Phillips is the clear best option to close, having posted a dominant 1.74 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 152:33 K:BB across 134.2 innings during his time in Los Angeles. The 29-year-old notched 24 saves in 27 chances last season.

Lee (shoulder) will need to pitch well this spring to ensure he breaks camp on the big-league roster, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

The 29-year-old southpaw dazzled in 2022 with a 2.13 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 59:10 K:BB through 50.2 innings, but shoulder trouble rendered him far less effective last season and he underwent surgery in October. Lee's healthy to begin the spring, but he faces plenty of competition for a spot in the bullpen after Atlanta added Aaron Bummer, Reynaldo Lopez, Ken Giles and other relief arms this offseason. As Lee still has minor-league options remaining, he could find himself on the outside looking in when camp breaks if he doesn't force the issue with his performance.

Lopez will be stretched out as a starter to begin spring training, but his ultimate role remains uncertain, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

The flamethrowing right-hander hasn't been able to find much sustained success during his career, but Lopez did post a combined 3.02 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 146:45 K:BB over 131.1 innings over the last two seasons while getting the start in only one of his 129 appearances, so he seems better suited to bullpen work. On the other hand, he converted only six of 17 save chances during that time, suggesting he's a risky option in high-leverage spots. Nonetheless, an Atlanta squad that had its rotation depth tested in 2023 will keep its options open with the 30-year-old early in the spring. However he gets deployed, Lopez figures to have a significant role after signing a three-year, $26 million contract with the AL East champs in November.

Young is set to be evaluated after feeling back tightness during a throwing session Wednesday, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

It doesn't seem to be a major concern at this point, but Young will be examined before being cleared to resume his throwing program. The left-hander collected a a 3.86 ERA and 50:20 K:BB across 53.2 frames for Cincinnati in 2023 and, assuming health, will open 2024 in its bullpen.

Atlanta president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos said Thursday that the team is leaning toward playing Kelenic every day in left field rather than platooning him, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

This isn't terribly surprising to hear since Atlanta doesn't have an obvious platoon partner for Kelenic right now, but it's nonetheless encouraging for his fantasy prospects. The 24-year-old actually had a better OPS against lefties (.774) than he did versus righties (.738) in 2023, although in his career he has just a .566 OPS and 29.9 percent strikeout rate against southpaws. Atlanta feels that giving Kelenic regular work versus lefties will be the best way for him to improve.

Bard did not need to have the meniscus repaired as initially expected during his arthroscopic left knee surgery Wednesday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

He merely had a cleanup performed instead, which has shortened his timetable to return from 5-to-7 weeks down to four weeks. A stint on the injured list still seems likely for Bard, but it might now be a relatively short one. Once healthy, the 38-year-old could eventually be in the mix for saves in Colorado's bullpen.

Sanchez (shoulder) told reporters Thursday that he's 90-to-95 percent healthy, Kevin Barral of Fish on First reports.

Sanchez made one appearance with Double-A Pensacola last September in what was his first outing since 2020, but he had to be scratched from his next scheduled appearance because his surgically repaired shoulder didn't bounce back as hoped. It's good that he currently appears trending in the right direction, but at this point it seems unlikely Sanchez will healthy and effective for a sustained period.

Candelario is projected as a co-starter at third base along with Noelvi Marte (hamstring), Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Candelario, who signed a three-year contract during the offseason, is expected to play every day, whether that be at corner infield -- he has 79 career starts at first base -- or designated hitter. Marte, an elite prospect who was developed at shortstop, had a strong showing in 35 games for the Reds last season.