MLB Player News

Astudillo signed a minor-league contract with the Marlins on Sunday, Craig Mish of SportsGrid.com reports.

Astudillo appeared in a career-high 73 games with the Twins in 2021 and hit .236 with seven home runs, 21 RBI and 17 runs. He's made appearances in the majors in each of the last four seasons and will presumably compete for a roster spot during big-league spring training in 2022.

Farmer enters camp as the Reds' starting shortstop, but Jose Barrero can "force the issue," according to manager David Bell, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Farmer, who played through a sports hernia injury over the second half of last season, was worth 1.6 fWAR in 147 games, largely due to his strong defense. He hit .263/.316/.416 on the year, good for a career-best 91 wRC+. Given the direction of the franchise, the Reds will likely turn to the younger Barrero at some point, if not right out of the gate, unless Farmer tops his 2021 production.

Vargas is attending big-league spring training as a non-roster invitee, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Vargas signed with the Cubs on a minor-league contract back in December after appearing in 15 games with the team over the past two seasons. Chicago added Andrelton Simmons on Friday to cover shortstop, and Nico Hoerner, Nick Madrigal, David Bote and Sergio Alcantara may all see time in the middle infield this year. Vargas provides some veteran organizational depth and offers little fantasy upside in 2022.

Senzel (knee) will focus on center field in spring training, Reds GM Nick Krall told Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer on Saturday.

It's worth noting that Krall merely answered "yes" when Nightengale asked if Senzel would focus on center field -- Krall didn't bring up the topic or elaborate on it. The Reds have moved Senzel around frequently throughout his career, so a little stability in one position wouldn't hurt. Of course, Senzel has to prove that he can stay healthy before any of this matters.

Muncy (elbow) took batting practice and fielded grounders Saturday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Manager Dave Roberts said Friday that he expects Muncy to be ready for Opening Day in some capacity, and the 31-year-old is approximately 85 percent recovered from his elbow injury that he sustained during the final game of the regular season in 2021. It was encouraging to see him participate in baseball activities now that spring training is underway, and it's possible that he'll serve as the team's designated hitter to begin the year if he isn't cleared to play in the field by Opening Day.

Muncy is about 85 percent recovered from his elbow injury and manager Dave Roberts believes he should be ready for Opening Day in some capacity, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Muncy missed last year's postseason with a torn UCL and a dislocation of his left elbow. He said himself in early March that he expected to be ready for Opening Day, but players have a tendency to be optimistic regarding their own availability, so it's encouraging to hear a similar story from his manager. The introduction of the universal designated hitter could also boost Muncy's early-season value, as he should be able to remain in the lineup regularly even if he's not yet ready for an everyday role in the field.

Walding signed a minor-league deal with the Padres on Tuesday and will convert to catcher, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Walding has spent almost the entirety of his professional career at first or third base, with the only exceptions being lone appearances at shortstop and left field. Moving all the way to the most difficult end of the defensive spectrum is quite a rare transition, but the 29-year-old believes it will help extend his career. If the new spot sticks, it will lower the pressure on his bat, though he showed very little there in his very brief major-league stints in 2018 and 2019, going 1-for-19 with 14 strikeouts.

Maggi signed a minor-league contract with the Phillies on Friday.

Maggi spent three days on the Twins' active roster last September, but he didn't leave the bench and is still awaiting his MLB debut. He's expected to open the upcoming season with the Phillies' Triple-A affiliate after he spent the majority of the 2021 campaign at Triple-A St. Paul in Minnesota's organization. Over 370 plate appearances at St. Paul, the 32-year-old corner infielder hit .252 with 16 home runs and 12 stolen bases.

Muncy (elbow) said Friday in an interview with David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports that he's resumed swinging a bat and expects to be ready for the start of the season. "Hopefully [my elbow is] ready for Opening Day," Muncy said. "That was the plan and we were on track for that. Hopefully it is not going to affect me too much, but I can't answer that until we get out there."

Muncy wasn't available for the Dodgers' postseason run last fall after he suffered a torn UCL and dislocation of his left elbow in the regular-season finale. Before the MLB lockout began, Muncy might have faced an uphill battle gaining clearance for Opening Day, but commissioner Rob Manfred's decision to postpone at least the first week of regular season games improves the 31-year-old's odds of avoiding missed time. It's worth noting, however, that because of the lockout, Muncy hasn't had the chance to meet with team trainers since December, so fantasy managers that are considering drafting him will have to put a lot of faith in the player's own assessment of his health. Muncy, who enters the upcoming season with eligibility at both first and second base in the majority of fantasy leagues, proved mostly durable in the 2021 campaign, appearing in 144 games while slashing .249/.368/.527 with 36 home runs, 95 runs, 94 RBI and two stolen bases.

Muncy (elbow) is getting closer to swinging a bat and has a chance to be ready for the start of the season, as he told the Bleed Los podcast.

Muncy is a player who would undoubtedly benefit from the delayed start to the season, although the lockout prevents his recovery process from unfolding under the watchful eyes of the Dodgers training staff for the time being.