MLB Player News

Diaz was invited to the Marlins' big-league camp for spring training, Jerry Crasnick of MLB.com reports.

Diaz was one of four prospects traded to Miami in exchange for Christian Yelich just two weeks ago. The 20-year-old infielder also competed in major-league spring training last year with Milwaukee, and although he impressed the club, he had a tough time finding a groove with High-A Carolina once the season began. In 110 games, he slashed .222/.334/.376 with 13 home runs, 54 RBI and nine stolen bases. He will look to get back on track this spring, and will likely begin the 2018 campaign back at the High-A level.

Rodgers has been invited to the Rockies' major-league camp this spring.

The Rockies will give one of their best prospects a look against big-league competition, though he's ultimately expected to open the season back in the minors. Rodgers opened the 2017 campaign with High-A Lancaster but quickly earned a promotion to Double-A after hitting .387/.407/.671 with 12 homers in 51 games for the JetHawks. The 21-year-old's success didn't quite translate following his promotion, however, as he hit just .260/.323/.413 in 38 games with Double-A Hartford. Rodgers, who possesses above-average power with the potential for an above-average hit tool, will likely return to Double-A to open the 2018 campaign.

Diaz was traded to the Marlins on Thursday along with Lewis Brinson, Monte Harrison and Jordan Yamamoto in exchange for Christian Yelich.

Diaz is one of three well-regarded prospects headed to Miami, along with Brinson and Harrison. The infielder was seen as a top-100 prospect prior to the 2017 season, though he has since dropped out after hitting just .222/.334/.376 across 110 games with High-A Carolina last season. Still, he's just 21 years old with plenty of potential; Diaz may be tabbed as the eventual replacement for second baseman Dee Gordon, who was traded to the Mariners earlier in the offseason.

Urias has been invited to the Padres' major-league camp this spring.

Urias will join fellow top prospect Fernando Tatis Jr. at big-league camp as the Padres prepare to give the pair of promising young infielders a look during spring. The 20-year-old Urias spent all of last season with Double-A San Antonio, hitting .296/.398/.380 while walking more than he struck out (65:68 K:BB) across 118 games. While he hasn't displayed much speed or power in the minors, there are few players his age with higher quality hit tools. Still, Urias is expected to open the season in the minors, though he could make his major-league debut as early as summer if he continues to impress on the farm.

Hernandez agreed to a one-year, $1.6 million deal with the Dodgers on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Jon Heyman of FanRagSports.com reports.

This was his first offseason as an arbitration-eligible player. The 26-year-old utility player didn't do much to move the needle during the regular season, but he was a postseason hero, which may have helped him in these negotiations. Hernandez should once again see semi-regular starts against left-handed pitching.

Adames agreed to a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training with the Marlins on Thursday, Antonio Puesan of Magnus Media reports.

Adames spent a majority of this past season at the Triple-A level, but did wind up appearing in 12 games for the Rockies following 121 games with the team in 2016. He went hitless in 13 at-bats during his brief time with the club, but slashed .263/.317/.461 with 11 home runs and 52 RBI for Triple-A Albuquerque. The 26-year-old sports a career average of .206 with a .561 OPS, and should serve as organizational infield depth for the Marlins this season.

Arroyo (hand) is expected to be fully ready for spring training, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Arroyo, who suffered a broken left hand in July, underwent surgery to insert a pin into the same hand after suffering a setback during a Dominican Winter League game. Assuming he avoids any further setbacks, the 22-year-old should compete for an Opening Day roster spot in spring training. He made his major-league debut in 2017, hitting just .192/.244/.304 in 34 games.

Betancourt is not expected to be ready for the start of the 2018 season after undergoing surgery on his elbow this week, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Betancourt required the surgical procedure after suffering a gunshot wound in Venezuela a few weeks ago. There is no specific timetable for the infielder at this point in time, and although there remains a chance that he will be back for the beginning of the year, it's far more likely that he will be on the shelf for at least a few weeks at the beginning of April.

Giavotella agreed to a minor-league contract with the Marlins on Friday that includes an invitation to spring training, Tim Healey of the Sun Sentinel reports.

Giavotella spent most of this past season with Triple-A Norfolk in the Orioles' system, slashing .306/.368/.441 with five home runs and 45 RBI in 83 games. He did appear in seven contests for Baltimore, but didn't have any consistent role with the club. Moving forward, he will provide infield depth for the Marlins, and will have a shot to make the Opening Day roster out of spring training.

Betancourt was shot in the left arm during an argument Friday in Venezuela, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

The severity of the wound hasn't been revealed, but Betancourt is on his way to Milwaukee to undergo surgery. The infielder spent the 2017 campaign with Double-A Biloxi, slashing .243/.286/.367 over 361 plate appearances. He'll be sidelined indefinitely as he recovers from the injury.