MLB Player News

Castro signed with Colorado as a non-roster invitee Saturday, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of El Extrabase reports.

Any hitter who has the opportunity to earn playing time at Coors Field is worth a second look, and that's true for Castro even with the caveat that he's yet to earn a roster spot, let alone regular at-bats. He doesn't hit for much power, homering 15 times in 351 career games, but his .284/.309/.377 lifetime slash line is fine for a utility infielder. A starting role in Colorado may not be on the table, but a good spring could earn him a bench spot, putting him one injury away from consistent playing time.

Estrada signed a one-year, $2.25 million contract from the Giants on Friday to avoid arbitration, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Estrada gets a big raise in his first year of arbitration eligibility as a Super Two qualifier. The 26-year-old played a bigger-than-expected role for the Giants in 2022, finishing with a .722 OPS, 14 home runs and 21 stolen bases. He's the favorite to be the team's Opening Day second baseman.

Rodgers signed a one-year, $2.7 million contract with the Rockies on Friday to avoid arbitration, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

It's a substantial raise for Rodgers, who was in his first year of arbitration eligibility. The infielder slashed .266/.325/.408 with 13 home runs in 2022 while winning his first Gold Glove award at second base. Rodgers is still just 26 so it's possible he has some untapped upside.

Urias agreed to a one-year, $4.7 million contract with the Brewers on Friday to avoid arbitration, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Urias will receive a sizable raise in his second year of arbitration eligibility after he made $2.55 million in 2022. The 25-year-old struggled during the first half last season, but he found more success after the All-Star break with a .790 OPS in 56 games.

Hoerner signed a one-year, $2.525 million contract with the Cubs on Friday to avoid arbitration, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Hoerner had a nice 2022 campaign, putting up a .736 OPS with 10 home runs and 20 stolen bases. He'll move back over to second base in 2023 following the Cubs' addition of Dansby Swanson.

Chavis signed a one-year minor-league contract with the Nationals on Monday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

The deal does not include a roster invite for spring training, so Chavis will have to prove himself in the minors before getting a potential call-up during the season. The 27-year-old struggled to a .229/.265/.389 slash line over 401 at-bats last year with the Pirates, producing 14 home runs, 49 RBI, 39 runs and one stolen base while appearing in 129 games. Considering the lack of star power on the Nationals' roster, Chavis should have a shot at the big-league level at some point this summer.

Mendick (knee) signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Mets on Wednesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Mendick was somewhat surprisingly non-tendered by the White Sox last month but has managed to land a big-league deal with the Mets. The 29-year-old had surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee back in June and it's not clear whether he'll be ready for Opening Day.

The Dodgers acquired Hernandez from the Athletics for cash considerations Thursday.

Hernandez was ineffective in 28 plate appearances this past season, managing two singles and a .154 OBP. He struggled in 2021 with the Rangers, too, so he figures to provide organizational depth for the Dodgers.

The Reds have no plans to move India (foot) off second base, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. "(India) was in Cincinnati last weekend running sprints, and he looked better than he did the entire year last year," manager David Bell said. "He's a young player. He's plenty athletic. He's determined to kind of maximize his range. In my mind, he's our second baseman right now."

Keep in mind that India was originally a third baseman that was converted into a second baseman during the 2020 season at the Reds' alternate training site. The new anti-shift rules might discourage some players from playing premium defensive positions, but the Reds are committed to keeping India at second base.

Miller was traded from the Guardians to the Brewers on Wednesday in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations.

Miller appeared in 130 games for Cleveland last year and slashed .243/.301/.351 with six homers, 53 runs, 51 RBI and two stolen bases. He played at first base, second base, third base and served as a designated hitter in 2022, and he'll likely have a better chance to carve out playing time in Milwaukee since Kolten Wong was traded to the Mariners in early December.