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  • Eloy Jimenez DH | TB

    Rays' Eloy Jimenez: Sheds 25-to-30 pounds

    Jimenez lost 25-to-30 pounds over the offseason, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

    Jimenez had to settle for a minor-league contract with the Rays this offseason following a 2024 campaign that he referred to Sunday as a "disaster." Manager Kevin Cash said that Jimenez is "really, really motivated" and will get some reps in the outfield and even at first base in addition to competing for at-bats at designated hitter.

  • Joc Pederson DH | TEX

    Rangers' Joc Pederson: Falls ill

    Pederson will be away from Rangers camp for a few days while battling the flu, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

    The 32-year-old will get a bit of a late start to spring training, but his bout with the illness shouldn't prevent him from being ready to go for Opening Day. Pederson is slated to serve as Texas' designated hitter against right-handed pitching this season, though Grant relays that the Rangers also intend to give Pederson some work at first base this spring to see if he's capable of making occasional starts at the position when Jake Burger requires a day off.

  • Yankees' Giancarlo Stanton: Still not swinging bat

    Stanton disclosed Monday that he hasn't swung a bat in 3-to-4 weeks and is dealing with a "very high" level of pain in both elbows, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

    Stanton is dealing with tennis elbow in both arms, which is something he battled for much of last season, as well. The veteran designated hitter admitted that he's not sure that he will be ready in time for Opening Day. If Stanton requires a stint on the injured list, the Yankees could mix and match with some of their regular position players in the DH spot.

  • Yankees' Giancarlo Stanton: Managing elbow issues

    Manager Aaron Boone said Sunday that Stanton will be moved along slowly early in spring training due to discomfort in both elbows, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

    The skipper compared the issues to tennis elbow, which Stanton also played through down the stretch last season. The veteran slugger still has nearly six weeks before Opening Day, but it could be an ominous early development for a player that has seen action in fewer than 120 regular-season games in each of the past three seasons.

  • Orioles' Heston Kjerstad: Inside track on roster spot

    Orioles GM Mike Elias noted Thursday that Kjerstad is a frontrunner for a spot on the Opening Day roster, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports. "He has earned the right to get at-bats in the corner outfield and at designated hitter, especially against right-handed pitchers," Elias said.

    Even after letting Anthony Santander walk in free agency, the Orioles still have a deep stable of options in the outfield and at designated hitter, as Baltimore brought in Tyler O'Neill, Ramon Laureano and Dylan Carlson to join a group that already includes Ryan O'Hearn, Cedric Mullins and Colton Cowser. Cowser and Mullins will handle the bulk of the starts in center field, but Kjerstad looks like he'll have every opportunity to stake his claim to a strong-side platoon role in a corner spot or at DH. Elias said that the Orioles don't necessarily need Kjerstad to have a big spring to secure his roster spot, but a strong showing in the Grapefruit League could certainly help him stand out from the pack. Though his playing time at the big-league level wasn't consistent last season, Kjerstad acquitted himself well in the opportunities he received, slashing .253/.351/.394 with four home runs over 114 plate appearances.

  • Eloy Jimenez DH | TB

    Rays' Eloy Jimenez: Contending for bench role

    Jimenez will enter spring training in a competition with Curtis Mead for the final bench spot on the Rays' roster, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

    Jimenez joined the Rays on a minor-league deal in late December and will earn $2 million if he makes the Opening Day roster. He struggled to get going during the 2024 season, but he had at least a .169 ISO in all of his prior campaigns. While Mead would offer Tampa Bay more defensive versatility, Jimenez has a chance to be the more impactful bat.

  • Rays' Christopher Morel: Projected to start in left field

    Morel is projected to begin the 2025 season as the Rays' starting left fielder, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

    Morel was dealt to the Rays in late July and subsequently started 31 games. Only 11 of those came in left field as compared to 20 at third base. However, with Junior Caminero all but certain to be a mainstay at the hot corner, Morel will be forced to a new defensive home. He could also face some pressure for playing time from Richie Palacios or even Eloy Jimenez if he cannot improve upon the .547 OPS that he posted across 190 plate appearances with the team in 2024.

  • Byron Buxton DH | MIN

    Twins' Byron Buxton: No lingering injuries

    Buxton is feeling "as good as he's felt in a lot of years," general manager Derek Falvey said at Saturday's TwinsFest, Matthew Leach of MLB.com reports.

    Unlike last year when Buxton had offseason knee surgery and had finished the previous season with a hamstring issue, Buxton entered the offseason relatively healthy and doesn't have a major rehab entering spring training. It's not quite "best shape of his life" territory for Buxton, but it's as good as we're going to get at this stage of his career.

  • Yordan Alvarez DH | HOU

    Astros' Yordan Alvarez: Ready to roll for spring training

    Alvarez said Thursday that he is 100 percent healthy heading into the 2025 season, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

    Alvarez disclosed that he injured his right knee toward the end of the 2024 season. He originally thought he might need surgery to correct the issue, though he ultimately rested and is now fully recovered. Alvarez reports that he is ready to hit and field for the start of spring training.

  • Brent Rooker DH | ATH

    Athletics' Brent Rooker: Agrees to five-year extension

    Rooker (forearm) signed a five-year, $60 million contract extension with the Athletics on Monday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

    It was reported earlier in the offseason that the two sides were working together on an extension, and a deal has ultimately been reached to keep the 30-year-old with the A's for the foreseeable future. Rooker put together the best season of his big-league career in 2024, hitting .293 with 39 home runs, 112 RBI and 82 runs scored over 145 games.

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