MLB Player News

The Twins re-signed Severino to a minor-league contract Monday.

The 25-year-old was booted from the Twins' 40-man roster earlier this month but is now back in the organization on a minor-league pact. Severino slashed .254/.342/.434 with 21 homers over 128 games in 2024 with Triple-A St. Paul and will likely return there to start next season.

The Marlins selected Serna's contract from Triple-A Jacksonville on Tuesday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Serna was dealt from the Yankees to the Marlins in the Jazz Chisholm trade and has now joined Miami's 40-man roster. The 22-year-old began the 2024 season at the Low-A level before finishing it at Jacksonville, slashing .251/.337/.414 with 15 homers and 15 steals over three stops. He mostly played shortstop last season but can also handle second and third base.

Walton signed a minor-league contract with the Mets on Friday that includes an invitation to spring training.

Walton spent the 2024 season with the Giants organization, going 3-for-22 with a home run, two RBI and three runs scored over nine games with San Francisco. He spent the majority of the year with Triple-A Sacramento, batting .303 with seven homers, 51 RBI, 53 runs scored and four stolen bases over 99 contests. The 30-year-old will look to impress with the Mets this spring in order to potentially secure a spot on the 40-man roster for the 2024 campaign.

Orioles general manager Mike Elias said Friday that Mateo (elbow) might not be fully recovered for the start of spring training, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

That contradicts what Elias said in October about Mateo's recovery from UCL reconstruction surgery on his left (non-throwing) elbow, although the revised timeline does not seem to be the result of a setback. Elias did add that he expected Mateo to be ready for close to a full 162-game schedule. The veteran infielder is slated for a utility role with the Orioles in 2025.

Lopez elected free agency Tuesday.

The White Sox removed Lopez from their 40-man roster and the veteran infielder has opted for free agency rather than accepting an outright assignment. Lopez, who turns 30 in March, slashed just .241/.312/.294 over 124 games for the White Sox in 2024. He might have to settle for a minor-league contract this winter.

Lux might be out of a starting job next season with the Dodgers planning to move Mookie Betts back to the infield, Noah Camras of DodgersNation.com reports.

The Dodgers have not said whether Betts would play shortstop or second base, but with Miguel Rojas and Tommy Edman available as shortstop options, Betts' likelier destination is probably the keystone. Seemingly, that would push Lux to the bench or perhaps the trade block. Lux had a .562 OPS in the first half of the 2024 season but finished strong in the second half with an .899 OPS. He then struggled in the postseason (.580 OPS) while battling a hip issue. Lux will turn 27 later this month and is under team control through 2026.

The Phillies outrighted Castro (thumb) to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Monday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Castro missed much of the 2024 season due to injury, including a torn thumb ligament which ended his campaign. He slashed just .211/.282/.310 with Lehigh Valley this season.

The Twins outrighted Severino to Triple-A St. Paul on Monday, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Severino is no longer on the 40-man roster but will stick around in the organization. He slashed .254/.342/.434 with 21 homers over 128 games this season with St. Paul.

Polanco's (knee) agent, Ulises Cabrera, said Monday that his client is expected to be cleared for full baseball activities by January, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

Polanco dealt with a patellar tendon issue in his left knee for much of the 2024 season before finally undergoing surgery in October. He's a free agent after the Mariners declined his $12 million club option for 2025 but is expected to enter spring training fully healthy. Polanco, who turns 32 in July, posted a career-worst .651 OPS this season and was worth 0.3 fWAR in 118 games.

Walton cleared waivers Friday and was sent outright to Triple-A Sacramento, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Walton appeared in nine games for the Giants in 2024, during which he went 3-for-22 with a home run and two RBI. Most of his time was spent in Sacramento, however, where he slashed .305/.377/.438 with 51 RBI across 387 plate appearances. The 30-year-old infielder appears likely to remain in the minors to start the 2025 campaign and continue serving as organizational depth.