MLB Player News

Urias (hamstring) is projected to open the 2019 season as the Padres' starting second baseman, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Urias made his big-league debut as a 21-year-old in 2018, hitting .208/.264/.354 in 53 plate appearances before suffering a season-ending hamstring strain in mid-September. While he is still working his way back from the issue, Urias is expected to be fully healed heading into spring training, where he'll have the inside track on an everyday gig. The Padres could still choose to hold the youngster back to gain an extra year of control, as they're expected to do with fellow prospect Fernando Tatis. If Urias does break camp with the big club, he could feature as the leadoff hitter given his projection to hit for a solid average (career .306 average in the minors).

McNeil is likely to be featured as a utility player for the Mets in 2019, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

McNeil was previously penciled in as the Mets' starter at second base, but the acquisition of Robinson Cano from the Mariners in early December alters that significantly. According to DiComo, the team has discussed the 26-year-old as an option at all four infield positions in addition to left field. McNeil may not start the season as an everyday starter, but with Dominic Smith, Todd Frazier, Amed Rosario and Cano currently rounding out the Mets' infield, there should still be ample opportunities to accrue at-bats.

Marte could be the Diamondbacks' center fielder next season, Jack Magruder of The Sports Xchange reports.

Marte reportedly volunteered to be the team's center fielder last season when A.J. Pollock was injured. He started a pair of games in center for the Mariners back in 2015 but has been strictly an infielder since then. If he does wind up playing a number of games in the outfield, the added positional flexibility he'd pick up in most formats would provide a boost to his fantasy value.

Dubon (knee) will start the 2019 season at Triple-A San Antonio, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Dubon underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL back in May, and although he should be healthy for spring training, general manager David Stearns stated that Dubon won't get a shot at earning a spot on the roster for Opening Day. However, the 24-year-old second baseman could certainly make his major-league debut sometime during the 2019 campaign.

Herrera signed a minor-league contract with the Mets on Thursday.

The deal includes an invitation to spring training. Herrera split time with Triple-A Louisville and the Reds in 2018, slashing .297/.367/.465 across 50 games with the Bats but struggling to a .184/.268/.414 line across 53 games with the big club. He'll likely serve as organizational depth for the Mets in 2019.

Tomlinson signed a minor-league contract with the Diamondbacks that includes an invitation to spring training, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Tomlinson has served the Giants in a Quadruple-A utility role for the last four seasons, but struggled mightily in 2018 with a .207/.265/.264 slash line in 140 at-bats. The 28-year-old has never exceeded 200 at-bats in the majors and that seems unlikely to change with Arizona in 2019, especially with Eduardo Escobar signing a $21 million extension in October.

Diaz had his contract selected from Triple-A New Orleans on Tuesday, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports.

The Marlins added Diaz to their 40-man roster in order to protect the 22-year-old from the upcoming Rule 5 draft. Diaz didn't exactly impress at Double- or Triple-A in 2018, hitting a combined .232/.340/.399 across 119 games, but he's a candidate to take over at second base for the Marlins at some point in 2019 with Starlin Castro reportedly on the block.

General manager Brodie Van Wagenen said McNeil is "penciled in" as the Mets' starting second baseman in 2019, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

McNeil settled in as the Mets' starter at second base following the trade of Asdrubal Cabrera in July and slashed .329/.381/.471 with three homers and seven stolen bases across 63 games over the remainder of the season. The 26-year-old flashed impressive contact skills, striking out just 9.7 percent of the time in 2018.

Rodgers is recovering from shoulder tightness, which is why he was scratched from the Arizona Fall League roster, Tracy Ringolsby of InsideTheSeams.com reports. "Instead of trying to push it to get him ready for the fall league we decided it was best to allow him to rest and strengthen this offseason," said Zach Wilson, Rockies senior director-player development. "It's a minor issue but best to get him physically ready for 2019."

The AFL would have been a good opportunity for Rodgers to rehab his prospect stock against less advanced pitching, as he struggled mightily (.232/.264/.290) after a late-season promotion to Triple-A. He was replaced on the AFL roster by Tyler Nevin. Rodgers should return to Triple-A at the start of the season while fellow prospect Garrett Hampson gets a crack at cementing himself as the Rockies' everyday second baseman.

Herrera was sent outright to Triple-A Louisville on Friday, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Herrera will stick with the Reds after passing through waivers unclaimed. The 24-year-old struggled to make an impact at the major-league level in 2018, hitting just .184/.268/.414 with five homers across 53 games. Mason Williams was also cast off the team's 40-man roster in order to free up space for younger prospects who need to be protected from the Rule 5 draft.