MLB Player News

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.

Terdoslavich cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday, Eduardo Encina of the Baltimore Sun reports.

The 27-year-old slashed just .214/.254/.375 with only one home run in 28 games with Atlanta in 2015. With Chris Davis holding down first base for the Orioles it is unlikely that Terdoslavich contributes much in 2016.

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.

Calhoun agreed to a one-year, $3.4 million deal with the Angels on Tuesday, avoiding arbitration, SB Nation's Chris Cotillo reports.

The club had offered $2.35 million, and Calhoun had asked for $3.9 million, so the player was able to do better than the midpoint in this case. Of course, both sides know this is still a great bargain for the team, as Calhoun has been worth 7.5 fWAR over the past two seasons. He should occupy the No. 2 spot in the order in 2016, right in front of Mike Trout, and should be a solid OF3 in standard leagues.

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.

Terdoslavich was designated for assignment by the Orioles on Thursday.

The Orioles made their signing of Chris Davis official, which required a corresponding move to make room on the 40-man roster. Terdoslavich ended up being the odd man out after being claimed off waivers by the Orioles just under two weeks ago. The 27-year-old has appeared in 92 games in the majors since 2013, most recently batting .214 in 59 plate appearances last season with the Braves. He could be a good fit for a team looking for first base and/or corner outfield depth.

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.

Tellez received an invite to go to big league camp for spring training.

The hulking first baseman could be written off by dynasty league owners considering he was a 30th-round pick in the 2013 draft, but he is the real deal. Tellez hit .275 with seven home runs in 35 games at High-A as a 20-year-old last year, and he really impressed at the Arizona Fall League. While he obviously won't make the big league roster out of camp, he could put himself in line to take over at first base in 2017, assuming Edwin Encarnacion departs in free agency.

Roller signed a minor league contract with the Rays with an invite to spring training, Marc Tompkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Roller spent the last two seasons with the Yankees Triple-A affiliate. The 27-year-old swatted 14 home runs and drove in 59 RBI last season, helping him post a .729 OPS. He'll likely serve as organizational depth with plenty of other options ahead of him at first base in Tampa Bay.