Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said Wednesday that Vargas could see more action in the outfield moving forward, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Vargas slumped his way out of the second base job in Los Angeles before the midway point of the 2023 season and the Dodgers have grown more comfortable using Mookie Betts at that position, especially against right-handed pitching. Vargas, accordingly, is going to have to find a different avenue to get back to a regular major-league role in 2024. The 23-year-old boasts a .310/.392/.487 career minor-league batting line and remains an important long-term piece for the reigning NL West champs. He made seven starts in left field down the stretch this summer with Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said Wednesday that McNeil had an encouraging recent checkup on his left elbow, Abbey Mastracco of the New York Daily News reports.

McNeil missed the final weekend of the 2023 regular season after being diagnosed with a partial UCL tear, but the expectation remains that he'll be able to avoid surgery and bring a clean bill of health into 2024. The 31-year-old seems to be responding well to platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment.

Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said Wednesday that Lux (knee) appears on track to be the team's primary shortstop in 2024, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Lux was expected to take over the position in 2023 before he blew out both the ACL and LCL in his right knee during an early spring training game. The 25-year-old began a running program in late July and continues to make steady progress within the recovery process, per Gomes. He should be back to full health when camp opens in February.

Donovan (elbow) has begun a throwing program at the Cardinals' spring training complex in Florida, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Donovan is coming along in his rehab after undergoing flexor tendon surgery in August. The expectation is that he will be ready to roll once spring training arrives. Donovan is expected to be a regular again for the Cardinals in 2024, although it might not necessarily be at a set position.

The Mets claimed Short off waivers from the Tigers on Monday.

Short, 28, is a career .174/.266/.308 hitter over 450 plate appearances in parts of three seasons at the big-league level. He has experience at shortstop, second base, third base and a little in the outfield. Short will compete for a utility job in spring training.

The Giants sent Mathias (shoulder) outright to Triple-A Sacramento on Wednesday.

Mathias slashed just .226/.333/.258 across 72 plate appearances in the majors this season, and a strained shoulder put an early end to his season in mid-August. Mathias will have the option to elect free agency and should be able to draw a minor-league deal in the offseason.

The Mets placed Mendick on outright waivers Friday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Mendick slashed just .185/.232/.277 during his time with the Mets, and he'll now join five other teammates on the waiver wire as the team clears space on its 40-man roster. The 32-year-old infielder can elect free agency if he clears waivers.

The Rockies sent Castro outright to Triple-A Albuquerque on Friday.

Castro slashed .252/.275/.314 with 31 RBI across 270 plate appearances with the Rockies in 2023, and he will remain in the organization after clearing waivers. Barring a significant turnaround, the 29-year-old infielder seems unlikely to have a significant role with Colorado in 2024.

Lopez signed a minor-league contract with Atlanta on Saturday.

Lopez elected free agency after being removed from the Reds' 40-man roster earlier this month but has quickly caught on in another organization. He'll likely be in Atlanta's major-league camp during spring training as a non-roster invitee.

Hernandez is playing center field and batting seventh Wednesday in Game 3 of the NLDS at Arizona.

Hernandez hit an RBI single off the bench in Monday's Game 2 loss and will now get the nod over James Outman in Game 3 as the Dodgers look to avoid being swept by the Diamondbacks. Hernandez went 2-for-5 with a double and a homer against Game 3 starter Brandon Pfaadt during the regular season.