MLB Player News

Lowe (knee) has fully recovered and doesn't expect to be limited in his winter workouts, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Lowe was placed on the 10-day injured list at the end of the 2023 campaign after suffering a fractured right patella, but the injury won't alter his offseason program much. The Maryland product should report to spring training with a clean bill of health.

Urias is currently projected as the Mariners' starting third baseman following their trade of Eugenio Suarez, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Seattle acquired Urias from Boston last week and he's now at the top of the team's depth chart at third base, although it's possible the Mariners bring someone else in at the position this offseason. Urias had a dreadful 2023, posting just a .636 OPS with three homers in 52 games while spending a chunk of the year in the minors. He looked like a solid regular a couple years ago, though, and is just 26 years of age.

The Mariners acquired Urias from the Red Sox on Friday in exchange for Isaiah Campbell, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Urias was likely going to be non-tendered by the Red Sox ahead of Friday's deadline had this trade not come together. He posted a disappointing .194/.337/.299 batting line over 177 plate appearances this past year between Milwaukee and Boston, but the former top prospect is only 26 years old and could be a platoon option at second base for the Mariners in 2024.

Lopez was traded from Atlanta to the White Sox on Thursday along with Michael Soroka (forearm), Jared Shuster, Braden Shewmake and Riley Gowens in exchange for Aaron Bummer.

Lopez was dealt for the second time in the last five months as Atlanta looks to clear space on its 40-man roster. After handling a full-time role in 2021 and 2022, Lopez served primarily as a bench bat in 2023 and maintained only a .632 OPS. While he's shown stolen base upside in the past, Lopez managed only six steals across 262 plate appearances last season, though he could see an uptick in playing time with his new club given his ability to play across the infield.

The Twins exercised Polanco's $10.5 million club option for 2024 on Thursday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Polanco again battled durability issues in 2023, missing significant time due to ankle, knee and hamstring injuries, but he registered a .789 OPS with 14 home runs across 80 games (343 plate appearances) when healthy. Minnesota could potentially look to trade the 30-year-old infielder this winter and install Edouard Julien at second base, but exercising the option was likely an easy early-offseason decision for the AL Central champs.

Dubon is batting second Thursday in Game 4 of the ALCS against the Rangers.

This is the highest lineup spot yet for Dubon, who hit seventh Wednesday in Game 3 and went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored as the Astros earned an 8-5 victory. He'll cover center field again Thursday, with Chas McCormick handling left field and Kyle Tucker patrolling right field. Michael Brantley is on the bench.

Dubon is starting in center field and batting seventh Wednesday in Game 3 of the ALCS at Texas.

Chas McCormick will ride the pine as the Astros look to win their first game of the best-of-seven American League Championship Series. This is the third start of the 2023 postseason for Dubon, who has gone 3-for-8 with three singles at the dish.

Dubon is starting in center field and batting seventh in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against the Rangers on Sunday.

The 29-year-old made one start in the ALDS versus the Twins and went 2-for-5 with a pair of singles. Dubon will also start the series opener against Texas with lefty Jordan Montgomery taking the mound. Michael Brantley will come off the bench as a result.

Dubon is out of the lineup Wednesday for Game 4 of the ALDS versus the Twins.

Dubon started in center field Tuesday in Game 3 and went 2-for-5 with two singles, but the Astros will turn back to Chas McCormick to cover the position Wednesday as they take on right-hander Joe Ryan. McCormick has gone 2-for-7 with a homer in his career meetings against Ryan. Dubon, meanwhile, has never once faced Ryan.

Dubon will start in center field and bat seventh in Game 3 of the ALDS on Tuesday at Minnesota.

This is the first start of the series for Dubon, who has gone 2-for-7 with a double in his career against right-hander Sonny Gray, the ALDS Game 3 starter for the Twins. Chas McCormick, who will ride the pine Tuesday, is 0-for-3 with three strikeouts lifetime versus Gray.