MLB Player News

Chavis had his contract selected from Triple-A Pawtucket on Tuesday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

As expected, Chavis was added to the Red Sox's 40-man roster in order to protect the top prospect from the Rule 5 draft. The 23-year-old appeared in just 46 games between Pawtucket and Double-A Portland in 2018 thanks to a suspension, but he held his own at both stops, hitting a combined .298/.381/.538 with nine homers. He'll likely head back to Triple-A to start the 2019 season, though he should be in line for a promotion if he continues to impress on the farm.

Altuve (knee) is walking with a hinged brace on his knee under his own power, without any help from crutches, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

That minimal progress from Altuve is good, though he hasn't begun the more substantive part of his rehab yet. He's still optimistic that he'll be ready for spring training.

General manager Erik Neander said Lowe is in the mix of outfielders competing for a spot on the Rays' Opening Day roster, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Lowe's chances of making the Opening Day roster seem to have improved after Mallex Smith was traded to the Mariners on Thursday. Tommy Pham, Kevin Kiermaier (foot) and Austin Meadows are expected to open the season as starters, but Lowe will battle it out with newly acquired Guillermo Heredia for the fourth outfield spot. The 24-year-old prospect made his major-league debut in 2018, hitting .233/.324/.450 with six homers and two stolen bases across 43 games for the Rays.

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.

Renda was outrighted to Triple-A Pawtucket on Thursday.

This move takes Renda off the club's 40-man roster, which will free up a spot for the Red Sox to protect a younger prospect from the Rule 5 draft. Renda split time between Double- and Triple-A this past season, slashing a combined .318/.373/.453 with five home runs, 27 RBI and 10 stolen bases. He did play in one game for the big-league team, making his Boston debut as a pinch runner versus the Yankees in early August. Renda will remain in the Red Sox's system as additional infield depth for the time being.

Johnson was outrighted to Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday.

Johnson was cast off the team's 40-man roster in order to free up space for prospects in need of protection from the upcoming Rule 5 draft. The 28-year-old spent most of the 2018 campaign on the farm, hitting a combined .251/.345/.409 across 66 games with Salt Lake and Double-A Mobile. Johnson also appeared in 10 games with the big club, though he went hitless with four strikeouts in 10 at-bats.

Chavis has been taking ground balls at second base and could receive some reps in left field in order to provide defensive versatility within the Red Sox's system moving forward, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

This shouldn't come as any surprise considering Chavis is basically blocked at third base by Rafael Devers in the big leagues. The top prospect spent some time at first base in the Arizona Fall League last year and should benefit from gaining more experience at different positions this winter. Unfortunately, he missed 80 games this season due to a suspension following a positive test for performance-enhancing drugs, which took him out of the running for a potential big-league promotion in September.

Joseph was sent outright to Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday.

The Orioles dropped Joseph from their 40-man roster in order to free up space for prospects who need to be protected ahead of the upcoming Rule 5 draft. The 30-year-old appeared in just 14 games for the Orioles in 2018, hitting .222/.263/.278 with three RBI and a 5:1 K:BB in 19 plate appearances.