MLB Player News

Rojas is one of several players that could start at third base in 2022, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Arizona general manager Mike Hazen talked about the possibility of adding a third baseman, particularly one with years of control, back in November, but the lockout-impacted offseason prevented the Diamondbacks from signing or trading for one. The in-house candidates start with Rojas, who enters camp with no restrictions following a November procedure to clean up the AC joint in his left shoudler, per Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic. However, the team likes his versatility, which includes experience at all infield positions and corner outfield. Josh VanMeter and Drew Ellis are also in the mix. Shortstop prospect Geraldo Perdomo would have an outside shot at the job, as Nick Ahmed is expected to open at short this season.

Hoerner got added competition for playing time at shortstop in 2022 when the Cubs added Andrelton Simmons on Friday, per Jon Heyman of MLB Network.

Hoerner appeared in 44 games for the Cubs in 2021, slashing a solid .302/.382/.369. Simmons, meanwhile, posted a .223/.283/.274 line with Minnesota. The latter is known for his defensive abilities, but the 24-year-old Hoerner has a definite path to playing time if he can outproduce the veteran at the plate by a significant margin.

Gorman (hamstring) has been a full participant during the Cardinals' minor-league camp and is expected to open the season at Triple-A Memphis, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Gorman missed time during the Arizona Fall League on account of a hamstring injury, denying him an opportunity to build on a promising 2021 campaign split included stops at both Double-A Springfield and Memphis. Between the two affiliates, Gorman hit .279 while demonstrating solid power (25 home runs, 20 doubles), but how soon he arrives in the majors may hinge on him developing into a passable option in the field. A natural third baseman, Gorman transitioned primarily to second base in 2021 as a consequence of the Cardinals signing Nolan Arenado last winter. The keystone remains Gorman's most viable path to a spot on the big-league roster, even though he projects as nothing more than an average defender at the position.

Mathias (shoulder) received medical clearance for all baseball-related workouts in late November and has been a full participant thus far during minor-league spring training, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Heading into 2021, the versatile Mathias was viewed as a candidate for an Opening Day utility role with the Brewers, but those plans were foiled when he injured his throwing shoulder in spring training. He ultimately underwent season-ending surgery May 5 and was outrighted off Milwaukee's 40-man roster in November, but now that he's healthy again, he should get the chance to compete for a job when big-league camp begins once the lockout concludes. The 27-year-old received his first taste of the majors in 2020, when he slashed .278/.278/.361 with four RBI and a stolen base across 36 plate appearances.

Lux could be in line for more playing time next season after commissioner Rob Manfred announced Thursday that the owners had agreed to a universal designated hitter, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Exactly who benefits most from the rule change on each National League team won't become fully clear until the lockout ends and the remaining free agents are signed, but Lux appears to be an obvious candidate for more at-bats. While he's a competent defender who's unlikely to spend much time at the spot himself, he's also the next man up at several positions around the diamond. Unless the Dodgers bring in a dedicated designated hitter once free agency resumes, their roster appears set up to rotate several veterans like Justin Turner, AJ Pollock and Max Muncy (elbow) through the position, with Lux covering for the resting player as needed or perhaps starting the majority of games at second base, freeing up Chris Taylor to bounce around the diamond.

Vivas was added to the Dodgers' 40-man roster Friday, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Vivas showed last season that he has one of the best hit tools in the lower levels of the minors, hitting .318/.422/.424 with 13 strikeouts and 13 walks as a 20-year-old at High-A. He is in a pretty crowded organization, but Vivas' stock is trending up.

Peguero's contract was selected by the Pirates on Friday.

Peguero performed well at High-A Greensboro in 2021 and slashed .269/.331/.443 with 14 homers, 67 runs, 45 RBI and 28 stolen bases across 90 games. He'll likely require at least one more season in the minors before he joins the conversation for the major-league roster, but he'll be shielded from the upcoming Rule 5 draft.

Mathias (shoulder) was outrighted to Triple-A Nashville on Friday.

Mathias missed all of last season due to a shoulder injury which eventually required surgery. His positional versatility could offer him a path back to the roster in a bench role next season, but he's a 27-year-old with just 16 major-league games under his belt and unexciting numbers in the upper minors, so it's no surprise to see him pass through waivers.

Stott has hit .320/.450/.493 with 20 walks against just 12 strikeouts through 21 games in the Arizona Fall League.

Stott is an interesting but fringy prospect, as he might not have quite a good enough glove to stick at shortstop and may not have quite a good enough bat to profile as an everyday player elsewhere. There's a chance he's good enough on both sides of the ball, however, which could give the Phillies a capable everyday shortstop for years to come. His fall numbers cap a strong season for the 24-year-old, who hit .299/.390/.486 with 16 homers and 10 steals across the three highest levels of the minors. Just 10 of those games came at Triple-A, so he may be a long shot to crack the Opening Day roster, but if the Phillies don't acquire anyone better than Didi Gregorius at shortstop this winter, it could be a sign that they expect Stott to take over sooner rather than later.

Gorman has missed the last two weeks of Arizona Fall League play due to hamstring tightness, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

The injury is unfortunate, as Gorman was one of the league's best players through six games, slashing .375/.565/.625 with one home run and a 2:7 K:BB. Regardless of whether he is able to return to AFL play before the league wraps up this month, Gorman is a candidate to make his big-league debut early in the 2022 season.