MLB Player News

Moncada said Thursday that he's feeling healthy after being plagued by chronic back and leg issues the previous two seasons, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

Moncada told reporters he's been focused this offseason on improving his core strength after he was limited to just 104 games in 2022 and 92 games in 2023. The 28-year-old has slashed just .234/.288/.386 over that span, and it has seemed like he's never been totally healthy. Moncada will report to spring training early this year ahead of what he hopes will be a bounce-back 2024 campaign. The White Sox hold a $25 million option on him for 2025, so it could be a walk year for the third baseman.

Duffy signed a minor-league contract with the Rangers on Thursday and received an invitation to major-league spring training.

Duffy elected free agency in November after slashing .251/.306/.325 across 209 plate appearances with the Royals last season. The 33-year-old infielder won't see many starts with the defending World Series champions, but his defensive versatility and ability to maintain a decent batting average could allow him to win a spot on the Rangers' bench during spring training.

The Tigers traded Nevin to the Orioles in exchange for cash considerations Monday.

Nevin will return to Baltimore after appearing in 58 games for the Orioles during the 2022 campaign. He slashed .200/.306/.316 with two homers, 10 RBI and 11 runs scored over 41 contests a year ago with Detroit and figures to serve as organizational depth heading into the 2024 season.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone indicated in an interview with Foul Territory on Friday that he'd like to see LeMahieu win the team's leadoff spot.

The skipper isn't committing to any lineup spots yet, but he noted when discussing the leadoff spot that he was "excited" with how LeMahieu finished the season and is hoping the 35-year-old can "solve" the leadoff spot for the Yanks. Boone also mentioned Alex Verdugo and Gleyber Torres as potential leadoff candidates. The manager is tentatively planning to hit Juan Soto second and Aaron Judge third.

Nevin was designated for assignment by the Tigers on Thursday.

Detroit needed to free up a spot on its 40-man roster for the addition of Devin Sweet. Nevin, 26, has slashed just .203/.310/.301 over 105 games at the major-league level and stands a decent chance of passing through waivers unclaimed.

Rays president of baseball operations Erik Neander revealed last week that it's "unlikely" Walls (hip) will be ready for Opening Day, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Walls underwent surgery in October to repair a labral tear in his right hip. Manager Kevin Cash had expressed optimism last month that the infielder would be ready for the start of the season, but Neander isn't as hopeful and also noted that, when Walls does make it back, he's unlikely to receive a full workload. Jose Caballero appears poised to be Tampa Bay's Opening Day shortstop.

Farmer agreed to a one-year, $6.3 million contract with the Twins on Thursday that includes a $6.25 million mutual option for 2025, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

There's a $250K buyout if the club declines the 2025 option. Farmer is more valuable in real life than in fantasy, as he doesn't have big tools, but he can capably play any position on the infield. He slashed .256/.317/.408 with 11 home runs in 369 plate appearances last season while playing 20-plus games at second base, third base and shortstop.

Urias signed a one-year, $2.1 million contract with the Orioles on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Urias slashed .264/.328/.375 with 42 RBI across 396 plate appearances last season. Despite his above-average glove and solid batting average, Urias will likely struggle to find regular playing time behind the myriad of talented young prospects the Orioles have on their roster.

Paredes signed a one-year, $3.4 million contract with the Rays on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

2023 was Paredes' best season at the plate to date. He slashed .250/.352/.488 with 31 homers and 98 RBI across 571 plate appearances and cemented himself as the Rays' primary third baseman. He receives a $2.665 million raise and is under team control through 2027.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that LeMahieu will be the club's starting third baseman in 2024, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

LeMahieu has bounced around all over the infield during his time with the Yankees, but it sounds like the club would like to have him focus mostly on third base next season. What that means for Oswald Peraza isn't clear, as the rest of the Yanks' infield spots already appear spoken for.