MLB Player News

Blue Jays manager John Schneider on Thursday mentioned Biggio, Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Santiago Espinal when asked about the team's options at second and third base, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Notably absent was Davis Schneider, who the skipper said would focus on playing left field in addition to second base. Biggio did see most of the action at second base for Toronto down the stretch last season and started both games in the club's Wild Card Series loss to the Twins. The 28-year-old could be the favorite to handle the keystone against right-handed pitching, at least initially.

Schneider was not initially mentioned by Blue Jays manager John Schneider when asked about the team's second base and third base situation, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The manager listed Cavan Biggio, Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Santiago Espinal as options at those positions, adding that it will be "a cool puzzle to solve." After a reporter followed up in asking about Schneider, the skipper noted that the 25-year-old has been working out in the outfield over the offseason and will focus on playing second base and left field in 2024. This could be an indication that Schneider is not among the favorites to see the lion's share of playing time at second base, although the situation does seem fluid.

Foscue is tentatively projected as the primary designated hitter, per Kennedi Landry of MLB.com.

Foscue had a strong season at Triple-A Round Rock in 2023, posting an .862 OPS with 18 home runs, 84 RBI, 94 runs, 14 steals and more walks (85) than strikeouts (70) over 122 games for the Express. He's a natural second baseman but is blocked in the majors by Marcus Semien. As such, the Rangers plan to expose him to corner infield during spring training, which would set him up in a possible utility infielder/DH role. Designated hitter is the lone unsettled spot on offense for the Rangers.

Mendick signed a minor-league contract with the White Sox on Thursday that includes an invitation to spring training.

It's a return to the South Side for Mendick, who spent the first four seasons of his big-league career with the White Sox before putting up a .509 OPS in 33 games for the Mets in 2023. The utility man will attempt to win a reserve role.

Altuve signed a five-year, $125 million contract extension with the Astros on Tuesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Altuve's extension ensures he will remain as Houston's second baseman through the 2029 season. Altuve slashed .311/.393/.522 with 17 homers and 51 RBI across 410 plate appearances last season while stealing 14 bags. He missed a significant amount of time at the beginning of the year due to a fractured right thumb and later battled an oblique injury, but the 33-year-old has shown no signs of slowing down entering his 14th big-league campaign.

Dubon will make $3.5 million in 2024 after winning his arbitration hearing with the Astros on Monday, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Houston had offered $3 million. Dubon earned the substantial salary bump after slashing .278/.309/.411 with 10 home runs and seven stolen bases over 132 games for the Astros in 2023. He played seven different positions last year and is in line for a super-utility role again in 2024.

Rojas, who's projected to fill the strong side of an infield platoon with Dylan Moore, is now likelier to do so at third base rather than second as a result of the Jorge Polanco trade, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Kramer notes that Polanco should play either second base or shortstop based on his big-league resume. As a result, Rojas -- who contributed a solid .272 batting average and .721 OPS across 134 plate appearances after his trade from the Diamondbacks last season -- could see the majority of his time at the hot corner. Offseason arrival Luis Urias is also a candidate to see time at third base. Rojas could end up in a super-utility role instead, as he's played every position except catcher, first base and center field during his five-year MLB career.

De Goti signed a minor-league contract with the Rangers on Jan. 26.

De Goti spent the 2023 season at the Triple-A level between the Marlins and Twins organizations, posting a .609 OPS in 55 games. The 29-year-old appeared in two big-league games for the Astros back in 2021.

The Red Sox claimed Gonzalez (shoulder) off waivers from the White Sox on Wednesday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

It's unclear whether Gonzalez will be ready for Opening Day after having surgery on his right shoulder labrum last July, which could have affected the White Sox' decision to try to slip him through waivers. Gonzalez brings defensive versatility to the table along with a 90.4 mph average exit velocity during his 86 games in the majors. Gonzalez also has a 36 percent strikeout rate and 2.1 percent walk rate during that span, numbers which surely will need to improve if he wants to make an impact in Boston.

Polanco was traded from the Twins to the Mariners on Monday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

It's unclear as to what the Twins are getting in return for Polanco, but Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic states there are four players, two major leaguers and two minor leaguers, headed to Minnesota as part of the deal. This is a huge upgrade for the Mariners at second base, and the 30-year-old will also be available to slot in at the hot corner and in the DH spot as needed. Polanco slashed .255/.335/.454 with 14 homers, 48 RBI, four stolen bases and 38 runs scored over 80 games a season ago with Minnesota.