MLB Player News

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.

Motter, who had been playing with Toros Del Este in the Dominican Winter League, relayed Thursday via his personal Twitter account that he left the club and returned to the United States to undergo facial surgery.

Motter didn't offer specifics regarding an official diagnosis of his injury, but it sounds like he could be dealing with a fracture after he was hit by a pitch. The surgery will more than likely carry a multi-week recovery timetable, but Motter shouldn't face any restrictions by the time hitters report to spring training. The utility man is still looking to find a new home after being released by the Twins in late August.

The Blue Jays declined to tender a contract to Solarte for the 2019 season.

Solarte will hit the open market after spending the past year in Toronto. It became clear that the team wanted to go in another direction when his club option was also declined following the conclusion of the season. The infielder finished the year hitting just .226 with a .655 OPS and 54 RBI in 122 games.

Renda signed a minor-league contract with the Red Sox on Friday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Renda was designated for assignment at the start of November but will remain in the Red Sox organization for now. The 27-year-old slashed .318/.373/.453 between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Pawtucket, and will continue to provide organizational depth at second base as Dustin Pedroia continues his recovery from his knee issues.

Altuve (knee) feels good and expects to be completely healthy for the start of spring training, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports.

Altuve underwent surgery on his knee early in the offseason, but he's had no issue with his recovery thus far. "He's doing very well. All reports are that he feels good and our doctors say he's progressing well. No problems at all. He's going to be 100 percent for spring training," stated Houston's general manager Jeff Luhnow. Expect Altuve to be good to go come February.

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.

Bostick agreed to a minor-league contract with Baltimore on Wednesday, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

Bostick will provide additional depth in the corner-outfield and middle-infield spots within the Orioles' system. He spent most of the 2018 season at the Triple-A level, hitting .295/.354/.414 with four home runs and 38 RBI. After being designated for assignment by Pittsburgh in early August, the 25-year-old latched on with Miami and finished the season playing in 15 major-league games. Though a path to playing time isn't exactly blocked in Baltimore, it seems likely that he'll be back at Triple-A next year.

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.