MLB Player News

The White Sox declined to tender Mendick (knee) a contract for 2023, Scot Gregor of the Chicago Daily Herald reports.

Mendick spent the final three months of the 2022 season on the injured list with a torn ACL. HIs availability for the start of spring training is up in the air.

The Tigers declined to tender Castro a contract for 2023.

Detroit clearly didn't see a future with Castro in the organization -- not too hard to understand given he's had one season with an OPS above .690. Castro is unlikely to land a regular role in free agency, but his decent bat-to-ball skills and defensive versatility may land him in camp with a big-league squad as a non-roster invitee.

The Cubs claimed Bannon off waivers from Atlanta on Friday.

Bannon spent the vast majority of last season in Triple-A, slashing .249/.367/.421 and collecting 77 RBI through 411 plate appearances. Infield depth was an issue for the Cubs last season, so it's possible that Bannon makes a few appearances for Chicago in 2023, but he will more than likely serve primarily as a minor-league piece.

The Cardinals signed Motter to a minor-league contract Friday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Motter spent about half of the 2022 campaign with the Reds organization, going 1-for-6 in two games on the major-league roster. The 33-year-old will now get a shot to prove himself with the Cardinals in 2023.

Julien was added to Minnesota's 40-man roster Tuesday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Julien spent the 2022 campaign with Double-A Wichita and cemented his status as one of Minnesota's top prospects with a .303/.443/.491 slash line, 17 home runs and 19 steals in 114 games. The 23-year-old posted an incredible 19.7 percent walk rate and should move to Triple-A St. Paul this coming year, and he could also sniff the majors.

Wisely was acquired by the Giants from the Rays on Tuesday in exchange for Tristan Peters. The Giants then added Wisely to the 40-man roster.

Wisely needed to be added to the 40-man roster in order to be protected from the Rule 5 draft, so Tampa Bay instead opted to flip him for Peters. Wisely appeared in five games at the Triple-A level late in the season, but he spent most of 2022 at Double-A and had a .271/.368/.450 slash line with 14 home runs and 31 stolen bases in 112 contests.

Edwards and JT Chargois were acquired by the Marlins from the Rays on Tuesday in exchange for Marcus Johnson and Santiago Suarez.

Edwards was one of Tampa Bay's top prospects but will be flipped in order to acquire a couple minor-league pitchers. He spent 2022 at the Triple-A level and had a .246/.328/.350 slash line with five home runs, 33 RBI and seven stolen bases in 93 games, so a change of scenery certainly won't hurt.

Ortiz was added to the Orioles' 40-man roster Tuesday.

Few minor leaguers were more productive than Ortiz in the final three months of last season. He hit .351/.416/.625 with 17 home runs and seven steals in 74 games from July through September across stops at Double-A and Triple-A. Ortiz also grades out as a quality defensive shortstop, which makes him one of the game's most underrated prospects.

Acuna was added to the Rangers' 40-man roster Tuesday, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

One of Ronald Acuna's younger brothers, Luisangel hit .278/.367/.425 with a 23.6 percent strikeout rate, 11 home runs and 40 stolen bases in 91 games across High-A and Double-A as a 20-year-old. At roughly 5-foot-8, he lacks his big brother's power potential and physicality, but Acuna is still ahead of schedule on his ascent up the organizational ladder.

Turang was added to the Brewers' 40-man roster Tuesday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

While Turang continues to toe the line between future starting second baseman or utility player, he was a lock to get added to Milwaukee's 40-man roster as protection from the Rule 5 draft. Turang can play all three up-the-middle spots and hit .286/.360/.412 with 13 home runs and 34 steals in 131 games at Triple-A. He turns 23 this month and should serve as Kolten Wong insurance in 2023.