MLB Player News
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Asdrubal Cabrera 1B | CIN
Mets' Asdrubal Cabrera: Should see regular time at second base
Cabrera figures to see consistent playing time at second base after the Mets signed third baseman Todd Frazier, Matt Ehalt of The Bergen Record reports.
Cabrera was formerly in the mix to play third base during the 2018 campaign, however, his role quickly changed after the Mets signed Frazier on Monday night. With third base solidified, Cabrera will be used at second or off the bench. The 32-year-old batted .280 with 14 home runs and 59 RBI a season ago, and will look to replicate those numbers in the upcoming year.
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Justin Bour 1B | SF
Marlins' Justin Bour: Wins arbitration case
Bour will make $3.4 million in 2018 after winning his arbitration case, Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reports.
The Marlins came in at $3 million, but will be required to pay a little more for Bour's services during this upcoming season. In 2017, the first baseman slashed .289/.366/.536 with career bests in home runs (25), RBI (83) and hits (109) while playing in 108 games. The biggest concern for the 29-year-old will be getting opportunities to drive in baserunners for a fully fledged rebuilding organization in 2018.
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Keston Hiura 2B | LAD
Brewers' Keston Hiura: Healthy to start spring training
Hiura's elbow is completely healthy, and he'll be good to go for spring training, Adam McCalvy of MLB.comreports.
Hiura received a platelet-rich plasma injection for his elbow during the offseason, which helped him avoid surgery and return to health. Hiura will appear in his first major-league spring training camp this year, meaning he will get to see some live big-league pitching. Expect the 21-year-old second baseman to continue his journey through the minor leagues during the 2018 campaign.
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Chris Shaw 1B | CHW
Giants' Chris Shaw: Receives spring training invite
Shaw (shoulder) received a non-roster invite to the Giants' spring training.
Shaw is one of the top position players in the Giants' depleted farm system. The outfielder will get a big-league look in spring training but is still expected to open the year with Triple-A Sacramento, according to manager Bruce Bochy. He's a candidate to make his major-league debut sometime during 2018, especially if he puts together a strong spring training performance.
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Ryan Court 1B | CHC
Cubs' Ryan Court: Signs with Cubs
Court came to terms on a minor-league deal with the Cubs which includes an invitation to spring training
Court has yet to appear in a major-league game entering his age-29 season, and spent the 2017 season at the Triple-A level within the Red Sox's system. During 106 games with the team, he slashed .263/.347/.410 with 10 home runs and 44 RBI. He will provide added depth at the first base position for Chicago this upcoming season.
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Keston Hiura 2B | LAD
Brewers' Keston Hiura: Earns invite to spring training
Hiura has been invited to the Brewers' major-league camp this spring.
Hiura appeared in 27 games for Low-A Wisconsin after being drafted by Milwaukee with the ninth overall pick of the 2017 first-year player draft in June. He slashed .333/.374/.476 with 15 RBI and 13 extra-base hits during those contests with the Timber Rattlers and will get the chance to go up against major-league pitching this spring. Hiura should continue to make his way through the minor leagues this year, and could reach the majors as soon as 2019.
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Donovan Solano 1B | TEX
Dodgers' Donovan Solano: Agrees to terms with Dodgers
Solano signed a minor-league contract with the Dodgers on Friday that includes an invitation to spring training, Chris Cotillo of SB Nation reports.
Solano spent the entirety of the 2017 season with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in the Yankees' system, slashing .282/.329/.391 with four home runs and 48 RBI. The second baseman will provide extra organizational depth up the middle for Los Angeles.
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Luke Voit 1B | NYM
Cardinals' Luke Voit: Learning corner-outfield spots
Voit has been taking reps at the corner-outfield spots throughout the offseason, Ben Frederickson of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Voit has been training locally at Maryville University and indicated that he's been gaining experience with reading balls off the bat and perfecting his routes while tracking flyballs. Though Voit said he doesn't envision a permanent position change from first base, he acknowledged that having familiarity with the corner outfield -- in addition to his ability to play catcher on an emergency basis -- could help his case for earning an Opening Day roster spot with St. Louis. The 26-year-old, who posted a .736 OPS across 124 plate appearances with the Cardinals in 2017, is expected to enter spring training second on the depth chart at first base behind Jose Martinez.
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Wilmer Flores 1B | SF
Mets' Wilmer Flores: Avoids arbitration with Mets
Flores agreed to a one-year, $3.4 million deal with the Mets on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.
He receives a raise over the $2.2 million he made last year in his first year of arbitration. Flores figures to play almost every day this season, likely seeing time at second base, third base and first base. He hit .271 with 18 home runs in 362 plate appearances last season, and could be poised for a breakout campaign.
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Balbino Fuenmayor 1B | ATL
Nationals' Balbino Fuenmayor: Signs with Nationals
Fuenmayor agreed to a minor-league contract with Washington on Wednesday, Chris Cotillo of SB Nation reports.
Fuenmayor spent the 2017 season in the Mexican League following a pair of seasons at Triple-A for the Royals. The 28-year-old has never appeared in a major-league contest, but slashed .291/.325/.405 in 101 games with Triple-A Omaha in 2016. He will likely serve as organizational depth for the Nationals moving forward, and should begin the upcoming season back in the high minors.