MLB Player News

Rodriguez was claimed off waivers by the Brewers on Monday.

Rodriguez's primary value in 84 games for the Tigers last season came through playing five different positions, as he offered very little at the plate, hitting just .221/.252/.438. He does have enough power to potentially be useful if he wins a bench role, though he may not get on base often enough to win a roster spot, depending on what other moves the Brewers make this winter.

Urias was traded from the Padres to the Brewers along with Eric Lauer in exchange for Trent Grisham and Zach Davies, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

The Padres had been rumored to be shopping Urias, whom the Brewers have long coveted, and Milwaukee had a crowded outfield, so they lined up as trade partners. Orlando Arcia's bat is well below average at shortstop and Keston Hiura is a very poor defender at second base, so Urias' ability to play both middle-infield spots will come in handy. Hiura obviously won't lose out on playing time, but giving him occassional starts at first base, where his throwing arm wouldn't be as big of a liability, might make sense. Urias figures to be the Opening Day shortstop, and the Brewers may even non-tender Arcia. The former has a potentially plus (or better) hit tool, but it has not yet translated consistently against big-league pitching. However, he is still just 22 years old, and while he hit .223 last year, he got on base at a .329 clip. It is a home park upgrade for Urias and he goes to an organization that is less likely to mess with his playing time, so this results in a bump in his fantasy value.

Short was added to the Cubs' 40-man roster Wednesday.

Short played only 63 minor-league games in 2019 and posted a .235/.363/.404 slash line with six home runs. The move to the 40-man roster protects him from the Rule 5 draft.

Mathias was shipped from Cleveland to Milwaukee in exchange for minor-league catcher Andres Melendez on Wednesday.

Mathias was subsequently added to the Brewers' 40-man roster to protect him from selection in the upcoming Rule 5 draft. The 25-year-old hit a respectable .269/.335/.442 with 12 homers and 13 steals for Triple-A Columbus last season. He'd have a better chance to make a big-league bench if he could play shortstop, though he appeared there just three times last season, splitting most of his time between second and third.

Gimenez was added to the Mets' 40-man roster Wednesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

This move protects Gimenez from the Rule 5 draft. He spent all of 2019 back at Double-A and went to the Arizona Fall League for the second year in a row. Gimenez's bat will probably be a little light on impact, but he is a good athlete capable of playing up the middle and offers plus speed on the bases. He should spend most, if not all, of 2020 at Triple-A.

Rodgers said Saturday that he's progressing well from June surgery to repair the labrum in his right shoulder, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports. "A couple of months ago, I couldn't even feel my arm and now I'm back to pretty much full activity, other than throwing and hitting a baseball," Rodgers said. "Those are things that are going to come. It's a crazy surgery, so you just have to be smart with it."

The 23-year-old indicated that he expects to resume throwing and hitting in about a month, putting him "a couple steps ahead" of where he expected when he required the season-ending procedure. With Rodgers tracking toward being 100 percent for spring training, he should get the chance to contend for the everyday role at second base. Given that he batted only .224/.272/.250 in 81 plate appearances in the majors before getting hurt, however, Rodgers is more likely to open 2020 at Triple-A Albuquerque.

The Giants claimed Wong off waivers from the Angels on Tuesday.

The 24-year-old made his major-league debut last season, but failed to impress with the Rays and Angels, recording a .333 OPS with six strikeouts in 18 at-bats. He was effective at the Triple-A level in 2019, hitting .307/.375/.464 with 10 home runs and 63 RBI over 113 games.

Adames was outrighted to Triple-A Sacramento on Monday.

Adames got into 10 games for the Giants last season, going 7-for-22 at the plate. He won't be a favorite to make the Opening Day roster next season now that he's off the 40-man roster.

Joseph was outrighted to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday.

Joseph hit just .156 with a home run and seven RBI over 28 games across stops in Oakland, San Francisco and Pittsburgh last season.

Elmore was outrighted to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday.

The Pirates will clear space on the 40-man roster by sending Elmore to Triple-A. He hit .213 with four RBI over 20 games in the big leagues last season.