Walton signed a minor-league contract with the Mets on Friday that includes an invitation to spring training.

Walton spent the 2024 season with the Giants organization, going 3-for-22 with a home run, two RBI and three runs scored over nine games with San Francisco. He spent the majority of the year with Triple-A Sacramento, batting .303 with seven homers, 51 RBI, 53 runs scored and four stolen bases over 99 contests. The 30-year-old will look to impress with the Mets this spring in order to potentially secure a spot on the 40-man roster for the 2024 campaign.

Lux might be out of a starting job next season with the Dodgers planning to move Mookie Betts back to the infield, Noah Camras of DodgersNation.com reports.

The Dodgers have not said whether Betts would play shortstop or second base, but with Miguel Rojas and Tommy Edman available as shortstop options, Betts' likelier destination is probably the keystone. Seemingly, that would push Lux to the bench or perhaps the trade block. Lux had a .562 OPS in the first half of the 2024 season but finished strong in the second half with an .899 OPS. He then struggled in the postseason (.580 OPS) while battling a hip issue. Lux will turn 27 later this month and is under team control through 2026.

The Phillies outrighted Castro (thumb) to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Monday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Castro missed much of the 2024 season due to injury, including a torn thumb ligament which ended his campaign. He slashed just .211/.282/.310 with Lehigh Valley this season.

Walton cleared waivers Friday and was sent outright to Triple-A Sacramento, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Walton appeared in nine games for the Giants in 2024, during which he went 3-for-22 with a home run and two RBI. Most of his time was spent in Sacramento, however, where he slashed .305/.377/.438 with 51 RBI across 387 plate appearances. The 30-year-old infielder appears likely to remain in the minors to start the 2025 campaign and continue serving as organizational depth.

Lux will start at second base and bat ninth Wednesday in Game 5 of the World Series versus the Yankees.

It's the lowest spot in the batting order so far this postseason for Lux, who is just 1-for-17 at the plate over his last seven playoff contests. It's possible he's still not feeling totally healthy after suffering a hip flexor injury in Game 1 of the NLCS. Lux is flip-flopping spots in the lineup with Tommy Edman, who will hit seventh Wednesday.

Lux isn't in the lineup for Game 2 of the World Series against the Yankees on Saturday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

The Yankees will send southpaw Carlos Rodon to the mound to begin Game 2, so the lefty-hitting Lux will grab a seat on the bench while Enrique Hernandez fills in at the keystone and bats sixth.

Lux (hip) will start at second base and bat eighth Friday in Game 1 of the World Series against the Yankees, Travis Sawchik of theScore.com reports.

Lux didn't start Game 6 of the NLCS as he dealt with continued soreness in his hip, but with extra rest between series he's ready to give it a go. The 26-year-old Lux is 5-for-24 with one home run during the 2024 postseason.

Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said Wednesday at his end-of-season media session that Mauricio's (knee) rehab has gone slower than expected and the 23-year-old has yet to begin baseball activities, Michael Mayer of MetsmerizedOnline.com reports.

Maurico underwent surgery last December to repair a torn right ACL and then required an additional operation in August to remove scar tissue from the same knee. The Mets had said following the latter surgery that Mauricio was expected to be ready for the start of spring training, but it's unclear whether that's still realistic.

Hoerner underwent surgery Oct. 11 to repair his right flexor tendon, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

It's not clear when Hoerner suffered the injury, nor did the Cubs offer a timetable for his recovery. The second baseman should be ready to roll come Opening Day, although it's possible he'll be eased into things in spring training. Hoerner slashed .273/.335/.373 with seven home runs and 31 stolen bases over 151 games for the Cubs in 2024.

Lux (hip) is absent from the Dodgers' lineup for Game 6 of the NLCS against the Mets on Sunday, Noah Camras of DodgersNation.com reports.

Manager Dave Roberts said Sunday that Lux is sitting not just because of the Mets sending southpaw Sean Manaea to the mound, but also because Lux is still not fully recovered from a hip flexor injury, per Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times. Chris Taylor will start at second base for Game 6 of the NLCS, but Lux will be available off the bench.