MLB Player News

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.

Senzel is expected to serve as the Nationals' everyday third baseman in 2024, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Senzel bounced around all over the diamond in his last few seasons with the Reds, but third base is his natural position and it sounds like Washington plans to keep him there. Hopefully, sticking to one position will give Senzel a better chance of staying healthy, as injuries have been an ongoing issue for the 28-year-old. Senzel had massive splits in 2023, putting up a 1.008 OPS versus lefties and just a .497 OPS against righties. He'll have to greatly improve the latter number if he wants to keep an everyday job.

Senzel signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Nationals on Wednesday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

He'll have the opportunity to earn an additional $1 million in incentives and will still be under team control in 2025. Senzel was non-tendered by the Reds last month after they decided they were unwilling to pay him a raise in arbitration. The former top prospect hasn't had even a .700 OPS since his rookie season and has dealt with numerous injuries. However, Senzel should at least have a short-side platoon role after slashing .348/.389/.619 against left-handers in 2023.

Marte suffered a strained hamstring while playing winter ball in the Dominican Republic, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Marte will no longer be able to participate in winter ball, but he should be ready to go for the start of spring training. The 22-year-old infielder slashed .316/.366/.456 across 123 big-league plate appearances last year and is expected to begin 2024 as Cincinnati's primary third baseman.

Atlanta re-signed Williams to a minor-league contract Nov. 18.

Williams was non-tendered by Atlanta and elected free agency last month but then immediately re-signed. The 27-year-old utility player has batted just .225/.281/.295 during parts of three seasons in the majors.

The Diamondbacks acquired Suarez from the Mariners on Wednesday in exchange for Seby Zavala and Carlos Vargas, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Suarez stumbled to a .232/.323/.391 batting line this season in Seattle, although he did hit 22 home runs and drive in 96 runs. The 32-year-old is owed $11.3 million in 2024 and has a $15 million club option (or $2 million buyout) for 2025. Suarez should provide more stability at a third base spot which was a revolving door for Arizona in 2023.

Wisdom avoided arbitration Friday with the Cubs on a one-year, $2.725 million contract, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Wisdom isn't a perfect player, but he hit 23 home runs over 97 games in 2023 and carries a .474 slugging percentage over the last three seasons. He'll again be a dangerous bench bat and corner-infield platoon option for Chicago in 2024.

The Brewers claimed Capra off waivers from the Pirates on Thursday.

Capra, 27, has logged only 28 career plate appearances at the major-league level, but he put up an encouraging .329/.412/.439 batting line over 49 games with the Triple-A affiliate of the Pirates in 2023. He'll function as organizational infield depth for Milwaukee.