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.

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.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said Tuesday that Walls (hip) is on track to be ready for the beginning of the 2024 season, Steve Carney of StPeteNine.com reports.

Walls underwent surgery in late October to repair a labral tear in his right hip and relieve discomfort caused by an impingement, but he has progressed well in the early stages of his rehab program and could resume workouts sometime in February. The 27-year-old racked up 22 stolen bases over 99 games in 2023, though he finished with a rough .201/.305/.333 overall slash line.

Miranda (shoulder) started hitting within the past week, but he's not expected to begin throwing until January, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Miranda underwent surgery on his shoulder in September, which was a cleanup procedure, according to the Star Tribune. That development is considered a positive, since his shoulder issues were thought to be more serious. Miranda struggled last year by hitting just .211/.263/.303 in 40 games before his season ended in July due to the shoulder injury. Miranda began last season as Minnesota's everyday third baseman, but his struggles and shoulder injury have clouded his outlook for 2024. He'll potentially compete for a role at first base this spring, but he may need to prove himself again at Triple-A.

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.