MLB Player News

Swanner received an invitation to spring training Thursday.

Swanner spent 2015 with Double-A New Britain and showed off his power with 17 home runs. Although the invitation is promising, he'll likely start the season in the minors to develop more.

Flores (ankle) is working out at full strength and said he'll be 100 percent for spring training, Newsday's Marc Carig reports.

Flores removed his walking boot just over a week ago, which is a good sign that he's progressing fairly quickly. He'll likely serve in a super utility role to open 2016 with Asdrubal Cabrera taking over at shortstop.

Flores, who fractured a bone in his left ankle after getting hit by a pitch in winter ball on November 26, has shed his walking boot and is working out in the Mets' complex in Port St. Lucie, ESPN New York reports.

Flores is slated to be a super-utility player, seeing time at all four infield positions, following the acquisitions of Neil Walker and Asdrubal Cabrera. In addition, he would likely replace David Wright at third base if Wright's bad back forces him out of action for any extended period of time. Flores could end up with 400+ plate appearances, giving him solid value in NL-only leagues and some value in mixed ones.

Freeman (wrist) took 30 "dry swings" and hit 25 balls off a tee Thursday, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. "Nice to finally swing a bat with no pain after seven months," Freeman said.

Freeman's wrist problems date back to about June of 2015, so you'll want to track his health carefully during the walk-up months to the fresh season. He also has to deal with a mediocre Atlanta supporting cast; the Braves could easily have the worst offense in the National League.

Manager Pete Mackanin said Howard (knee) will be platooned at first base if he does not show signs of improvement against left handed pitchers this spring, CSN Philadelphia reports.

Howard hit just .130 with a .418 OPS and 40 strikeouts against lefties last season. It seems unlikely that Howard will finally overcome his difficulties with lefties this spring. A more likely scenario has Howard opening the season in a platoon with Darin Ruf. That would continue the approach Mackanin took starting last August. Ruf hit .371 with 8 home runs and a 1.107 OPS against lefties last season.

Smith (oblique) received a spring training invite from the Mets, Adam Rubin of ESPN New York reports.

Smith, whose Arizona Fall League campaign was cut short due to an oblique injury, was the 2015 Florida State League MVP. He slashed .305/.354/.417 with six homers and 79 RBI in 118 games to earn the honor. Smith's power production is the main question about his game, but he showed some signs of breaking out last year and the belief is that he should end up as a 15-20 home run hitter at a minimum.

Carter signed a one-year deal with the Brewers on Wednesday.

Carter had a disappointing follow-up last season to his 37-homer 2014 campaign, as the right-handed slugger posted a .199 batting average over 460 plate appearances. He'll now get a fresh start with Milwaukee, competing with the likes of Garin Cecchini for reps at first base. He could also be one of the first pinch-hit options off the bench, as Carter was primarily used as a DH during his time in Houston.

Howard (knee) has filed a defamation lawsuit against Al Jazeera network, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Al Jazeera ran a report last month that said Howard and other professional athletes used the performance-enhancing substance Delta 2. Howard denies using Delta 2 or any performance-enhancing substance banned by MLB.

An investigative documentary which will air Sunday on Al Jazeera alleges that Howard (knee) received human growth hormones from a Texas-based pharmacist, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Howard has denied he has used HGH. The claim that Howard and other professional athletes received HGH is based on statements Charlie Sly, a pharmacist who once worked at an anti-aging clinic in Indiana, made and were recorded without his knowledge. Sly has since recanted his story.

Dixon was traded to the Reds on Wednesday as part of a three-team deal that also included the White Sox, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Jose Peraza and Scott Schebler will also be joining Dixon on the Reds in what was an unexpected three-team deal that was headlined by Cincinnati third baseman Todd Frazier being sent to the White Sox. Frazier clubbed 19 home runs while maintaining a .263/.303/.443 slash line across two minor league levels in 2015. He is a versatile defender with the ability to play second base, third base, and outfield, but he has yet to advance past Double-A in his young career.