MLB Player News

Fuenmayor signed a minor league contract with the Braves on Friday, Matt Eddy of Baseball America reports.

"The Great Balbino" doesn't have much prospect pedigree, but he certainly left his mark back in 2015 when he bashed 17 home runs and 28 doubles between the Double-A and Triple-A levels of the Royals organization. His production tapered off a bit last season, so between that and Freddie Freeman occupying first base at the major league level, Fuenmayor will likely spend another season in an organizational depth role.

The Brewers designated Carter for assignment Tuesday, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

After revealing Monday that they had no intention of tendering Carter a contract for the 2017 season due to the expected salary increase he was due in arbitration, the Brewers signed Korean import Eric Thames to a three-year deal Tuesday to serve as their new everyday first baseman. In order to clear a 40-man spot for Thames, Carter was designated for assignment, which will allow the Brewers to see if any other teams are interested in trading for the slugger before Friday, which is the official deadline for the team to non-tender him. While Carter made a major splash for fantasy owners last season with 41 homers and 94 RBI, his sky-high strikeout rate and poor defense makes him far less attractive in real-life terms, hence the Brewers' decision to move on from him.

Joseph suffered a wrist injury in the Dominican winter league and has returned home to be examined, Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Joseph, who won't return to the Dominican Republic after his exam, had played in just five games before suffering the injury. GM Matt Klentak said there are "no long-term implications" with the injury, so it sounds like Joseph will be ready for spring training.

Wilkins was outrighted to Triple-A Colorado Springs on Friday.

The 28-year-old was left off the Brewers' expanded September roster after going 3-for-24 with 10 strikeouts in 26 games between July and August. Wilkins is now off the 40-man roster and seems like a lock to open 2017 as depth in the minor leagues.

Cabrera (knee) will not need to undergo surgery to address a strained patellar tendon, Adam Rubin of ESPN.com reports.

Cabrera was slowed at the end of the year by the knee ailment -- though it didn't force him to miss any significant playing time -- and went for an evaluation Monday to determine how to proceed. The shortstop will apparently be able to avoid going under the knife and has elected to attempt to rehab over the offseason in an attempt to get back to full health in time for the start of spring training.

Flores successfully underwent surgery Friday to remove part of the hamate bone in his right wrist, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Thankfully for Flores, he's expected to be ready to go far before the start of spring training, so unless his rehabilitation hits some roadblocks, he should be ready to go for 2017. The 25-year-old will likely continue his role as a super utility sub next season.

Cabrera will visit doctors in the offseason to discuss options for his injured left knee, Marc Carig of Newsday reports.

Cabrera played through the issue this season but will get a second look at it now that the Mets' season has come to a close. The veteran shortstop managed to improve his numbers from the past few seasons in 2016, posting a .280/.336/.474 batting line with 23 home runs (second-highest total), 62 RBI and five stolen bases. He remains under contract with New York through 2018 and will look to be healthy when spring training rolls around in March.

Flores will have surgery later this week to remove the hook of the hamate bone in the base of his right hand, ESPN's Adam Rubin reports.

It was thought that Flores was simply dealing with a significant bone bruise, but it will end up requiring surgery. While he has been ruled out for the postseason, it sounds like Flores will have no trouble returning in time for the start of spring training.

GM David Stearns said Tuesday that the Brewers intend to re-sign Carter this offseason, MLB.com's Adam McCalvy reports.

Carter was non-tendered by the Astros last offseason after hitting .199 in 2015, but he got back on track in his first year in Milwaukee by hitting 41 home runs, which represented both a career best and tied him for the league lead. Carter will be due a raise from the $3 million he made in 2016, but the Brewers can offer him arbitration, so he could still come at a bargain. Carter is a trade candidate this offseason, but the Brewers do not have another definitive first base option at the ready, so signs point to him serving as the team's regular first baseman again in 2017.

Bell, who isn't in Sunday's lineup, is batting just .167 (7-for-42) in his last 13 games.

He has 128 at-bats and will maintain rookie status if he doesn't exceed 130 at-bats. The Pirates are generally pleased with Bell's first couple months in the big leagues and will work with him to improve his throwing mechanics in the offseason.