MLB Player News

Manager Aaron Boone said Torres (elbow) is expected to be a "full go" when spring games begin, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

This isn't all too surprising, as Torres, who underwent Tommy John surgery in June, has been working out in Florida for over a month now and recently said he's feeling 100 percent, per Erik Boland of Newsday. The highly touted prospect is expected to push for an Opening Day roster spot as the team's starting second baseman, though he may ultimately open the year in the minors in order to secure the Yankees an extra year of team control. Either way, the job should be his sooner than later.

Manager Aaron Boone said that Estrada was shot in the right hip during a robbery attempt in Venezuela a few weeks ago but has already reported to camp and should be able to play the "bulk" of the season, Jack Curry of YES Network reports.

It's obviously a good sign that Estrada is getting back into the swing of things at camp, although there was no word on his current condition outside of Boone's statement that he's "in a good frame of mind right now." The 21-year-old will begin ramping up his cardio within the next week by doing some stationary bike work, and there should be an update on his status once he's able to begin baseball activities. In 2017, Estrada slashed .301/.353/.392 with six home runs. 48 RBI and eight stolen bases in 122 games with Double-A Trenton.

Elmore agreed to a minor-league deal with the White Sox which includes an invitation to spring training, MLB.com's Scott Merkin reports.

Elmore spent the entire 2017 campaign at the Triple-A level, compiling a .236 batting average with one home run, 41 RBI and 12 stolen bases in 110 games split between New Orleans and Buffalo. The 30-year-old most recently played in the big leagues with Milwaukee in 2016, earning 78 at-bats, but slashed just .218/.371/.244 during 59 contests. He will add some extra organizational depth to the White Sox's infield moving forward.

Jones was invited to the Angels' spring training as a non-roster invitee, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

A strong start at Low-A Burlington earned Jones a promotion to High-A Inland Empire during the 2017 season. Over 41 games with Inland Empire he hit .302 with an .856 OPS. His speed was on display at the two levels as well, as he combined to steal 27 bases. However, he was also caught stealing on 13 occasions.

Torres (elbow) says he is feeling 100 percent this spring, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.

Torres underwent Tommy John surgery on his left elbow back in June. He has been working out down in Florida for almost a month and says he feels very good. That's good news for the Yankees, who are seemingly leaving the second base job open for him next season. Even with good health, however, Torres could open up in the minors for a few weeks in order to secure the Yankees an extra year of team control.

Arroyo said last week that his surgically repaired left hand has fully healed and acknowledged that he should be ready to go for spring training, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The main prize for the Rays in the blockbuster December deal that sent Evan Longoria to the Giants, Arroyo indicated he was cleared to resume all baseball activities Jan. 9 following a visit with his surgeon. He's already hitting off a tee and should gradually ramp up his workouts after the broken hand he suffered in late October in the Dominican Winter League had left him idle for most of the winter. It was the second time the 22-year-old had broken the hand in less than a year, as he had been hit by a pitch in a July 1 game at Triple-A Sacramento. Arroyo is expected to vie for a starting gig at second or third base during the spring, but seems more likely to open the campaign with the Rays' Triple-A affiliate in Durham.

Espinosa signed a minor-league contract with the Yankees on Monday which includes an invitation to spring training, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Espinosa will apparently get a chance to compete for the starting job at second base in camp, though given he couldn't hold a job with the Angels, Mariners or Rays in 2017, he seems like a long shot to crack the Yankees' Opening Day roster. The 30-year-old struggled mightily in 2017, hitting just .173/.245/.278 with a brutal 36.9 percent strikeout rate in 93 games split between three teams. Still, he's a serviceable defender up the middle of the infield, so a strong spring could earn him an Opening Day roster spot, though it would be unwise to expect much of a turnaround from Espinosa in 2018 if that's the case. He also likely wouldn't stick around once Gleyber Torres (elbow) is ready to take over as the team's starting second baseman.

Chavis has been invited to the Red Sox's major-league camp this spring, Evan Drellich of NBC Sports Boston reports.

The Red Sox will give one of their top prospects a look during spring, though Chavis is still expected to open the season in the minors. He impressed in stops at High-A Salem and Double-A Portland last season, hitting a combined .282/.347/.563 with 31 homers in 126 games. Still, he hasn't played above Double-A at this point, and with Rafael Devers and Mitch Moreland manning the corners for Boston in 2018, the 22-year-old will likely spend most of his season with Triple-A Pawtucket.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Monday that while service-time considerations won't be a factor in Torres (elbow) potentially breaking spring camp with the big club, it's "more likely" the 21-year-old will require additional time in the minors, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Even after undergoing season-ending Tommy John surgery on his left elbow last June, Torres remains one of the top position prospects in baseball heading into 2018. The Yankees' offseason trade that sent Starlin Castro to the Marlins creates an opening in the middle infield, with the organization likely earmarking second base for Torres once he's sufficiently healthy and gets some at-bats under his belt. If Torres opens the season on the disabled list or is assigned to Triple-A Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Ronald Torreyes and Tyler Wade would be the top in-house candidates to see time at the keystone for the big club.

Semien agreed to a one-year, $3.125 million deal with the A's on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports reports.

This marked the first offseason he was arbitration eligible, and the shortstop will cash in after making $545,000 a year ago. During the 2017 season, he slashed .249/.325/.398 with 10 home runs, 40 RBI and 12 stolen bases in 85 games after missing nearly half the year due to a right wrist injury. Heading into this upcoming season, he should provide decent value on the bases, but is unlikely to move the needle at the dish.