MLB Player News

Edwards might get squeezed off the Marlins' big-league roster to begin the season, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

The 24-year-old showed off his speed in his major-league debut last season, slashing .295/.329/.333 over 84 plate appearances and going 5-for-5 on steal attempts. Unfortunately for Edwards, the Marlins have Nick Gordon and Vidal Brujan in camp competing for a utility role as well, and while all three players have similar skill sets, the latter two are out of minor-league options. Unless Edwards significantly outplays one of them this spring, he may have to begin 2024 back at Triple-A Jacksonville.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider on Thursday mentioned Biggio, Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Santiago Espinal when asked about the team's options at second and third base, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Notably absent was Davis Schneider, who the skipper said would focus on playing left field in addition to second base. Biggio did see most of the action at second base for Toronto down the stretch last season and started both games in the club's Wild Card Series loss to the Twins. The 28-year-old could be the favorite to handle the keystone against right-handed pitching, at least initially.

Schneider was not initially mentioned by Blue Jays manager John Schneider when asked about the team's second base and third base situation, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The manager listed Cavan Biggio, Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Santiago Espinal as options at those positions, adding that it will be "a cool puzzle to solve." After a reporter followed up in asking about Schneider, the skipper noted that the 25-year-old has been working out in the outfield over the offseason and will focus on playing second base and left field in 2024. This could be an indication that Schneider is not among the favorites to see the lion's share of playing time at second base, although the situation does seem fluid.

India (foot) is expected to play three infield positions and possibly left field, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Cincinnati's primary second baseman in 2023, India will shift to a utility role, as manager David Bell plans to deploy a middle infield of Matt McLain at second and Elly De La Cruz at shortstop. To keep India's bat in the lineup, the infielder will get acclimated to playing first and third base, though left field is seen as his most unlikely landing spot. For now, India is building up endurance in the foot he injured last season and is expected to be ready for Cactus League play.

Arraez lost his arbitration hearing with the Marlins on Wednesday and will earn $10.6 million in salary for the 2024 season, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.

Coming off a 2023 season in which he won the National League batting crown with a .354 average, Arraez filed for $12 million, but an arbitrator ruled in favor of the Marlins. The $10.6 million salary still represents a $4.5 million pay increase from 2023 for Arraez, who is set to go through the arbitration process one more time next offseason before becoming a free agent following the 2025 campaign. Arraez will head into his second season as Miami's everyday second baseman, and while he once again projects to rank among the league leaders in batting average, his paucity of power and speed put a ceiling on his overall fantasy value.

Mauricio (knee) was placed on the 60-day injured list Wednesday, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

The 21-year-old underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee in early January, so his move to the 60-day IL was an eventuality. He's facing a projected 6-to-8-month recovery, so a return for September is likely the best-case scenario for Mauricio, and there's a real possibility he sits out the entirety of 2024.

Foscue is tentatively projected as the primary designated hitter, per Kennedi Landry of MLB.com.

Foscue had a strong season at Triple-A Round Rock in 2023, posting an .862 OPS with 18 home runs, 84 RBI, 94 runs, 14 steals and more walks (85) than strikeouts (70) over 122 games for the Express. He's a natural second baseman but is blocked in the majors by Marcus Semien. As such, the Rangers plan to expose him to corner infield during spring training, which would set him up in a possible utility infielder/DH role. Designated hitter is the lone unsettled spot on offense for the Rangers.

India is going through a ramp-up progression after having a setback with the plantar fasciitis in his left foot this offseason, Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

India missed nearly two months of action during the second half of the 2023 season with the injury and it popped back up again over the winter, affecting his offseason workouts. The 27-year-old took batting practice and fielded ground balls Tuesday and the foot "feels fine and he feels no pain," Reds general manager Brad Meador said, adding that India just needs to build up endurance at this point. While it does seem as though he's currently trending in a positive direction, the nagging injury and uncertain playing time outlook for India creates a cloudy fantasy forecast.

Vargas is coming into Dodgers camp as a left fielder, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Vargas has been an infielder primarily but has played a little left field the previous two seasons. Whether this is a permanent position switch or just getting the 24-year-old more comfortable in the spot where he has the best shot to see action in 2024 is not clear. Vargas is likely headed to Triple-A Oklahoma City to begin this season either way, as Teoscar Hernandez is pegged as the Dodgers' regular left fielder.

India signed a two-year, $8.8 million contract with the Reds on Friday to avoid arbitration, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

He can earn an additional $2.05 million in 2025 in incentives. India had been arbitration-eligible for the first time and will have one additional year of control in 2026. The 27-year-old slashed .244/.338/.407 with 17 home runs and 14 stolen bases over 119 contests for Cincinnati in 2023. India has played only second base to this point in the majors but is expected to be used at multiple positions in 2024.