MLB Player News

Petit signed a minor-league deal with the Twins on Thursday, MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger reports.

Petit didn't appear in the majors in 2017 after receiving time in 89 games a year prior with the Angels. He hit .253/.275/.370 with four home runs and 30 RBI during 73 games with Triple-A Buffalo in Toronto's system last season. Petit will provide organizational middle infield depth.

Torres (elbow) was added to the 40-man roster Monday.

Torres is heralded by some as the top prospect in the game, so it comes as no surprise that the Yankees will protect him in the Rule 5 draft. It's expected that Torres, who's recovering from Tommy John surgery, will compete for a starting spot in the infield during spring training.

Estrada was added to the 40-man roster Monday.

The Yankees' decision to add Estrada to the 40-man roster will protect him from the Rule 5 draft. Estrada played well at Double-A Trenton during the 2017 season. Over 122 games he hit .301 with a .745 OPS and scored 72 runs.

Ngoepe was traded to the Blue Jays on Monday in exchange for cash or a player to be named later.

The 27-year-old infielder made his big-league debut last season, hitting .222 with zero home runs and a 41.3 percent strikeout rate in 63 plate appearances. The Pirates get to clear a spot on the 40-man roster while the Blue Jays get some infield depth. It would not be surprising if the Blue Jays tried to designate Ngoepe for assignment to clear a 40-man roster spot later this offseason.

Altuve was named the American League's Most Valuable Player on Thursday.

Altuve's ascension to stardom took another major leap forward in 2017 as the 27-year-old became the first Astro to bring home MVP honors since Jeff Bagwell was crowned NL MVP in 1994. Altuve led the American League in hits (204) for the fourth consecutive season and won the league's batting title with a career-high .346 average. His 24 home runs were also a career high and the superstar second baseman is the consensus No. 2 player (after Mike Trout) heading into 2018 fantasy drafts. The man can do it all.

General manager Brian Cashman said Torres (elbow) could push for a starting spot as early as Opening Day, Brendan Kuty of NJ.com reports.

Cashman noted that the coaching staff thought Torres was ready for the majors on Opening Day last season, but ultimately decided to keep him in the minors for a little more seasoning. The 20-year-old flashed why he's seen as one of baseball's top prospects before undergoing season-ending Tommy John surgery in June, hitting .309/.406/.457 with seven homers and seven stolen bases in 23 games (96 plate appearances) for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after earning a promotion from Double-A Trenton. He's on track to be fully healthy by the start of spring training, where he'll compete with Starlin Castro and Chase Headley for the starting job at second and third base, respectively.

Chavis got experience during Fall Instructional camp and the Arizona Fall League at first base, Jim Callis of MLB.com reports.

Chavis restored his prospect luster in 2017 when he bashed 31 home runs and posted a .910 OPS in stops at High-A Salem and Double-A Portland. The former shortstop who transitioned to third base a couple of seasons ago is blocked at that position in Boston by Rafael Devers. As such, the organization is preparing Chavis for first base. He's not expected to reach the majors in 2018, but he's certain to reach Triple-A Pawtucket, if not start the season there.

Houston picked up its club option of $6 million for Altuve ahead of the 2018 season, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet reports.

No surprise here as the Astros will gladly pick up Altuve's modest contract for next season, with another club option on the horizon the following year as well ($6.5 million). During the regular season, Altuve hit .346/.410/.547 with 24 home runs and 81 RBI, and then helped the team bring a World Series title to Houston.

Torres (elbow) revealed on his Twitter account that he has resumed hitting.

Torres' 2017 campaign was cut short by an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery, but he is now nearly four months removed from the procedure, and is seemingly progressing as hoped with his recovery. With him already feeling good enough to take swings, he should be ready to go when spring training kicks off next year.

Merrifield went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 2-1 win over the Diamondbacks.

The long ball was Merrifield's 19th of the season, putting him just one shy of becoming the fourth second baseman in American League history to compile 20 home runs, 30 doubles and 30 stolen bases in a season. Even if Merrifield, who is also hitting .289 on the season, falls short of that achievement, he's still been a far greater fantasy contributor than his owners could have imagined coming out of spring training. Raul Mondesi scuffled early on as the team's everyday second baseman, allowing Merrifield to claim the starting gig. He never look back on his way to becoming one of the top fantasy options at the position.