With the MLB lockout finally over and Opening Day set for April 7, free agency resumes as teams around the league look to finish their off-season shopping. Here were some of the rumours and moves from the first day of the resumption of free agency.

What impact might the universal DH have?

There will be many changes coming to Major League Baseball in 2022 and beyond and one of them is the National League' implementation of the designated hitter. 

According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, the addition of the universal DH should help certain free agents like Jorge Soler. More than a half-dozen teams have shown interest in the 2021 World Series MVP and that number figures to rise now that the DH is coming to the NL, Feinsand adds.

The 30-year-old slugger was dealt from the Kansas City Royals to the Braves last summer and posted an .882 OPS with 14 homers in 55 games with the Braves down the stretch. During the Fall Classic, Soler hit three homers and drove in six while posting a 1.191 OPS as the Braves defeated the Houston Astros in six games. 

Soler led the American League in home runs in 2019 with 48 and is a veteran of eight big-league seasons. 

Yankees targeting Freeman, rotation arms?

ESPN's Buster Olney tweets that some rival executives are curious about whether or not the New York Yankees will attempt to move quickly on first baseman Freddie Freeman.

The longtime Atlanta Braves slugger did not reach an agreement to stay with the 2021 World Series winners before the lockout and is believed to be considering multiple options as free agency resumes.  

MLB Network's Jon Heyman tweeted earlier in the week that the small-market Tampa Bay Rays made Freeman an offer before the lockout and adds the Yankees are "very interested." Heyman also adds that the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers could be a fit for Freeman while the Braves remain in the mix.

But that isn't all that could be on Brian Cashman's shopping list.

According to Heyman, the Yankees have requested to receive medical information on free agent left-handers Carlos Rodon and Yusei Kikuchi. 

Rodon made the All-Star Team last season, pitching to a 2.37 ERA in 132.2 innings spread out over 24 starts last season for the Chicago White Sox.

Meanwhile, Kikuchi made 29 starts for the Seattle Mariners and posted a 4.41 ERA while averaging 9.3 strikeouts per nine innings.

Zamora joins Dodgers

Left-hander Daniel Zamora is joining the Los Angeles Dodgers on a minor-league deal, he announced Thursday night on Twitter.

The 28-year-old has spent time with the New York Mets and Seattle Mariners at the big-league level, appearing in four games for the Ms last season.

He owns a career ERA of 4.50 in 37 appearances.

Phillies might have to wait on Suarez 

According to The Athletic's Matt Gelb, Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Ranger Suarez does not have his visa due to the lockout and is unlikely to be ready by Opening Day. 

Suarez dominated last season, posting a 1.36 ERA in 39 appearances spread out across 106.0 innings.

Opening Day set

Sixteen teams will have Opening Day on Thursday, April 7 while the remainder will play their first games of the season on Friday, April 8, tweets USA Today's Bob Nightengale. 

The first game on the schedule has the New York Yankees hosting the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium.

Let the games begin!

As of 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT following the ratification of a new collective bargaining agreement, players and teams are allowed to negotiate contracts, restarting the free agency period after 99 days.