MLB Player News

Toro is in line to begin the year as utility depth after the Mariners acquired Eugenio Suarez from the Reds on Monday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Toro had an everyday role for the Mariners in 2021 while mainly playing at second base, but it appeared as though he'd shift to the hot corner to begin the 2022 campaign after Kyle Seager announced his retirement and Seattle traded for Adam Frazier in November. While Toro is expected to see some outfield reps during spring training this year, it appears as though he'll see more sporadic playing time than he had to close out the season in 2021.

Suarez and Jesse Winker were traded from the Reds to the Mariners in exchange for Justin Dunn, Brandon Williamson and Jake Fraley on Monday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Suarez was an All-Star in 2018, but his results have declined across the last two seasons. He appeared in 145 games with the Reds in 2021 and had a career-low .198 batting average with 31 home runs, 79 RBI and 71 runs. Power has never been an issue for the 30-year-old, as he's averaged 32.3 home runs per year across the last four seasons. Suarez is in line to serve as the Mariners' starting third baseman on Opening Day in 2022.

Rendon's arrival at camp has been delayed due to personal reasons, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

The exact reason for Rendon's absence and his expected arrival date are not yet clear. If he reports soon, he'll likely have no issues getting ready for Opening Day, but it's possible he misses time if the delay stretches on.

Wisdom (wrist) took live at-bats against teammate Justin Steele during the Cubs' team workout Monday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

The activity is evidence that Wisdom is good to go for the start of the 2022 campaign after he missed the final week of the 2021 season with a sore right wrist. Before the injury cropped up, the 30-year-old was one of the pleasant surprises in a non-contending season for the Cubs, as he paced the team with 28 home runs while driving in 61, scoring 54 times and chipping in four steals. However, a low walk rate (8.6 percent) and a bloated 40.9 percent strikeout rate made him less valuable from a real-life standpoint. Though the big power production he supplied in 2021 locks him into an everyday role heading into Opening Day, Wisdom may need to pare down his strikeouts to ensure he maintains a regular lineup spot for the balance of the season.

Urshela and Gary Sanchez were traded from the Yankees to the Twins on Sunday in exchange for Josh Donaldson, Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Ben Rortvedt.

Urshela finished the 2021 campaign as the Yankees' starting shortstop, and he should take on the same role in Minnesota since Kiner-Falefa was sent to New York as part of Sunday's transaction. The 30-year-old Urshela slashed .267/.301/.419 with 14 home runs, 49 RBI and 42 runs across 116 appearances last year after hitting .310 with 27 home runs across his first two seasons with the Yankees.

Donaldson, Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Ben Rortvedt were traded from the Twins to the Yankees on Sunday in exchange for Gary Sanchez and Gio Urshela, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Donaldson appeared in 135 games with the Twins in 2021, slashing .247/.352/.475 with 26 homers, 73 runs and 72 RBI during that time. After some notable feuds with right-hander Gerrit Cole last year, the two players will become teammates with the Yankees, where Donaldson is in line to serve as the team's starting third baseman. As part of the agreement, the Yankees will take on the remaining $50 million in salary that the 36-year-old is owed across the next two seasons.

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.

Kreidler was invited to the Tigers' major-league camp Saturday.

The 24-year-old shortstop will make his case for an Opening Day roster spot during spring training. While the team signed Javier Baez to fill his primary position over the winter, he has little left to prove in the minors after hitting .304/.407/.519 in 41 games for Triple-A Toledo last season. It's possible he returns to Toledo to get some experience at other positions to start the year.