MLB Player News

Triolo is likely to get regular at-bats while playing multiple positions this season, Jake Crouse of MLB.com reports.

Triolo appeared in 54 games for the Pirates in 2023 and hit .298 across 209 plate appearances. There's significant reason to doubt that performance carries forward, as he posted a .440 BABIP to go along with a 30.1 percent strikeout rate. However, he's an above-average defender at first base, second base and third base, giving him multiple paths to playing time even if he doesn't start regularly at a single position.

Reds manager David Bell said Wednesday that Candelario will be an everyday player in 2024, Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

"Between DH, first base and third base, he's going to be an everyday player," Bell said of Candelario. The skipper will have plenty of mixing and matching to do with the Reds' abundance of infielders, which is going to lead to extra days off for some. It does not sound like Candelario will be one of those guys sitting with regularity, however. Cincinnati inked Candelario to a three-year, $45 million contract in December.

Marte (hamstring) is on track to be healthy for the start of spring training, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Marte strained his hamstring in late November while playing in the Dominican Winter League. Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall said Wednesday that the injury carries a 6-to-10 week recovery timetable. Marte is roughly eight weeks into that and the start of spring training is three weeks away, so he should be fine. The 22-year-old looks to be in line for an Opening Day assignment at third base for Cincinnati, although there are lots of moving parts in its infield.

Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said Saturday that while Busch's ultimate position will be up to manager Craig Counsell, he expects the 26-year-old to play first base, Jared Wyllys of AllCHGO.com reports.

"He's certainly going to play. There's no question. It's up to Craig where. I think first base is obviously a natural spot for him. He's played there a lot," Hoyer said at the team's Cubs Convention. Most of Busch's playing time with the Dodgers in 2023 came at third base, and it's possible he could wind up there if the Cubs bring in another first baseman. However, the consensus seems to be that the defensively-challenged Busch fits best at first base. If Busch is indeed confined to first, it puts a damper on Matt Mervis' dynasty outlook.

The Cubs and Madrigal avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.8 million contract Thursday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Madrigal receives a salary bump in what was his second year of arbitration eligibility. The infielder slashed .263/.311/.352 for the Cubs in 2023 and is in the mix for starts at third base again for the upcoming season.

Sosa signed a one-year, $1.7 million contract with the Phillies on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Sosa hit .251 and managed a .720 OPS with 30 RBI through 299 plate appearances in 2023. While last season ended up being one of Sosa's best at the plate, his role remains limited due to the presence of Bryson Stott, Alec Bohm and Trea Turner in Philadelphia's infield.

Busch was traded from the Dodgers to the Cubs along with Yency Almonte on Thursday in exchange for two unknown minor leaguers, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Busch, who fits best at first base or designated hitter, was never going to get an extended run at those positions in Los Angeles, so this boosts his fantasy value. He is currently the favorite to beat out Matt Mervis for the starting first base job, but the Cubs aren't necessarily done making moves -- they have been linked to free agent Rhys Hoskins. Busch is already 26 and needed to repeat Triple-A to master the level (102 wRC+ as a 24-year-old in 2022, 150 wRC+ as a 25-year-old in 2023), so he could still end up being a Quad-A bat when it's all said and done. The lefty-hitting slugger will be eligible at third base to start the year. With righties Patrick Wisdom, Christopher Morel and Alexander Canario all still on the roster, it's possible Busch will sit against lefties.

Alcantara signed a minor-league contract with the Pirates on Dec. 9.

Alcantara, 27, posted a .776 OPS over 98 games between the Cubs' and Diamondbacks' Triple-A affiliates. He's slashed just .209/.281/.406 with 12 homers in 192 games across parts of three seasons at the major-league level.

Machado (elbow) might not be ready to play defense Opening Day, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

Machado underwent surgery in early October to repair the extensor tendon in his right elbow. It's an injury he dealt with for much of the 2023 campaign and one which kept him from playing the field in September. The designated hitter duty for Machado could potentially carry over into 2024, with Ha-Seong Kim sliding over to third base.

Arauz signed a minor-league contract with the Dodgers on Dec. 15.

Arauz is a career .184/.253/.308 hitter in 95 games at the major-league level, most recently going 8-for-59 (.136) over 27 games with the Mets in 2023. The 25-year-old will give the Dodgers some utility infielder depth.