MLB Player News

Higgins signed a minor-league contract with the Diamondbacks on Thursday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Higgins was designated for assignment by the Cubs in late December and elected free agency Monday after clearing waivers. He was quickly able to find a new team and will serve as a non-roster invitee during spring training in 2023. The 29-year-old appeared in 74 games for the Cubs last year and slashed .229/.310/.383 with six home runs, 30 RBI and 23 runs.

O'Hearn cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

O'Hearn was designated for assignment by the Orioles late last week after being acquired from the Royals, but he'll remain in the organization this time around. The 29-year-old will likely have a chance to compete for a major-league roster spot with th Orioles during spring training.

Beaty signed a minor-league contract with the Royals on Tuesday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Beaty will be invited to major-league spring training. The 29-year-old had a dreadful showing in 2022, batting .093/.170/.163 over 47 plate appearances with the Padres. Beaty had some useful stretches during his time with the Dodgers, though, and would seem to have a decent shot to crack the Royals' Opening Day roster as a part-time corner outfielder and infielder.

Higgins elected free agency Monday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Rather than accepting an outright assignment to Triple-A Iowa upon clearing waivers after the Cubs designated him for assignment Dec. 29, Higgins will presumably explore opportunities in another organization for the first time in his career. A 12th-round draft pick of the Cubs in 2015, Higgins reached the majors for the first time in 2021 and appeared in 83 total games with the big club the past two seasons. Over 254 career plate appearances, the 29-year-old has slashed .210/.291/.348 with six home runs and 30 RBI.

Clemens and Gregory Soto were traded from Detroit to Philadelphia on Saturday in exchange for Nick Maton, Matt Vierling and Donny Sands, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

Clemens debuted as a 26-year-old last season but struggled significantly in 57 games, hitting just .145/.197/.308. A .148 BABIP undoubtedly accounts for some of his struggles, but his .193 xBA suggests his quality of contact was very poor. It's tough to see him earning significant at-bats on a contender like the Phillies, and he'll need a big step forward to deserve even a bench role.

Rivas was released by the Cubs on Friday.

Rivas cleared waivers after being designated for assignment but will be cut loose rather than being outrighted. The 26-year-old will probably have to settle for a minor-league deal elsewhere.

HIggins cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Iowa on Friday.

Higgins had been designated for assignment last week in order to clear a spot on the roster for fellow catcher Tucker Barnhart. He'll remain in the organization.

O'Hearn was designated for assignment by the Orioles on Thursday.

O'Hearn was acquired by the Orioles earlier this week after being DFA'd by the Royals, and he's now been booted off another 40-man roster. The 29-year-old appeared in 67 games last season and had a .239/.290/.321 slash line with one homer and 16 RBI. Lewin Diaz was claimed off waivers in a corresponding move.

O'Hearn was acquired by the Orioles from the Royals on Tuesday in exchange for cash considerations.

The O's are apparently hopeful that O'Hearn -- who hasn't had an OPS higher than .650 over the last four seasons -- can help them at first base and designated hitter against right-handed pitching. The 29-year-old will make $1.4 million in 2023 and is eligible for arbitration again in 2024.

Smith agreed to terms on a one-year, $2 million contract with the Nationals on Tuesday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Smith was presumably looking for a landing spot with few obstacles in his path to playing time as he looks to rebuild his career after a pair of down seasons, and he's seemingly found one in Washington. After hitting .299/.366/.571 in 2019 and 2020, he hit just .233/.298/.345 across the past two years. Even a modest bounce-back should be enough to secure him a spot as the Nationals' primary first baseman, but it's far from guaranteed that one is on the cards.