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.

Elmore agreed to a minor-league deal with the White Sox which includes an invitation to spring training, MLB.com's Scott Merkin reports.

Elmore spent the entire 2017 campaign at the Triple-A level, compiling a .236 batting average with one home run, 41 RBI and 12 stolen bases in 110 games split between New Orleans and Buffalo. The 30-year-old most recently played in the big leagues with Milwaukee in 2016, earning 78 at-bats, but slashed just .218/.371/.244 during 59 contests. He will add some extra organizational depth to the White Sox's infield moving forward.

Jones was invited to the Angels' spring training as a non-roster invitee, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

A strong start at Low-A Burlington earned Jones a promotion to High-A Inland Empire during the 2017 season. Over 41 games with Inland Empire he hit .302 with an .856 OPS. His speed was on display at the two levels as well, as he combined to steal 27 bases. However, he was also caught stealing on 13 occasions.

Torres (elbow) says he is feeling 100 percent this spring, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.

Torres underwent Tommy John surgery on his left elbow back in June. He has been working out down in Florida for almost a month and says he feels very good. That's good news for the Yankees, who are seemingly leaving the second base job open for him next season. Even with good health, however, Torres could open up in the minors for a few weeks in order to secure the Yankees an extra year of team control.

Arroyo said last week that his surgically repaired left hand has fully healed and acknowledged that he should be ready to go for spring training, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The main prize for the Rays in the blockbuster December deal that sent Evan Longoria to the Giants, Arroyo indicated he was cleared to resume all baseball activities Jan. 9 following a visit with his surgeon. He's already hitting off a tee and should gradually ramp up his workouts after the broken hand he suffered in late October in the Dominican Winter League had left him idle for most of the winter. It was the second time the 22-year-old had broken the hand in less than a year, as he had been hit by a pitch in a July 1 game at Triple-A Sacramento. Arroyo is expected to vie for a starting gig at second or third base during the spring, but seems more likely to open the campaign with the Rays' Triple-A affiliate in Durham.

Espinosa signed a minor-league contract with the Yankees on Monday which includes an invitation to spring training, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Espinosa will apparently get a chance to compete for the starting job at second base in camp, though given he couldn't hold a job with the Angels, Mariners or Rays in 2017, he seems like a long shot to crack the Yankees' Opening Day roster. The 30-year-old struggled mightily in 2017, hitting just .173/.245/.278 with a brutal 36.9 percent strikeout rate in 93 games split between three teams. Still, he's a serviceable defender up the middle of the infield, so a strong spring could earn him an Opening Day roster spot, though it would be unwise to expect much of a turnaround from Espinosa in 2018 if that's the case. He also likely wouldn't stick around once Gleyber Torres (elbow) is ready to take over as the team's starting second baseman.

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.

Chavis has been invited to the Red Sox's major-league camp this spring, Evan Drellich of NBC Sports Boston reports.

The Red Sox will give one of their top prospects a look during spring, though Chavis is still expected to open the season in the minors. He impressed in stops at High-A Salem and Double-A Portland last season, hitting a combined .282/.347/.563 with 31 homers in 126 games. Still, he hasn't played above Double-A at this point, and with Rafael Devers and Mitch Moreland manning the corners for Boston in 2018, the 22-year-old will likely spend most of his season with Triple-A Pawtucket.