MLB Player News
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Braden Shewmake SS | NYY
Royals' Braden Shewmake: Squeezed off 40-man
The Royals designated Shewmake for assignment Friday.
The Royals made the signing of Carlos Estevez official Friday, leaving no room on the 40-man roster for Shewmake. The 27-year-old infielder will now enter the waiver process for the second time in the last 30 days, and his reputation as a strong defender could get him picked up by another club.
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Luis Vazquez SS | BAL
Orioles' Luis Vazquez: Traded to Baltimore
The Orioles acquired Vazquez from the Cubs on Friday in exchange for cash considerations.
Vazquez had been designated for assignment and will now join a new 40-man roster. The 25-year-old will compete for a utility infielder job, but Vazquez has minor-league options remaining and will likely begin the year at Triple-A Norfolk.
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Jorge Mateo SS | BAL
Orioles' Jorge Mateo: Avoids arbitration
The Orioles agreed to terms with Mateo (elbow) on a one-year contract Tuesday with a club option for 2026 to avoid arbitration.
The deal is worth $3.55 million, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports. As for Mateo's injured left elbow, there is no update as he recovers from UCL reconstruction surgery on his non throwing arm. He may be limited in spring training, and as to how he will be used is up in the air. The utility player will have a conversation with the Orioles on how he will be utilized when spring training commences, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reported Dec. 9.
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Juan Brito SS | CLE
Guardians' Juan Brito: Could be long shot for 2B job
Brito could be a long shot to win the Guardians' second-base job, Joe Noga of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Manager Stephen Vogt spoke to reporters recently, and when asked about the second-base job, mentioned Brito fifth among the five names he brought up as being in the competition, with Gabriel Arias, Tyler Freeman, Angel Martinez and Daniel Schneemann being the others. While it doesn't necessarily mean Brito is indeed a long shot for the gig, it could indicate he won't be at the top of the pecking order heading into camp. Brito is the only one in the group without major-league experience, although he is on the 40-man roster. The 23-year-old slashed .256/.365/.443 with 21 homers and 13 steals in 2024 at Triple-A Columbus.
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Zach Dezenzo SS | HOU
Astros' Zach Dezenzo: Will play left field this spring
Astros manager Joe Espada said Saturday at the team's FanFest event that Dezenzo will play a lot in left field during spring training, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
An infielder by trade, Dezenzo's experience in left field is limited, though he did start three games there last season at Triple-A Sugar Land and played eight games in the outfield in the Puerto Rican Winter League. Left field currently looks to be Dezenzo's best shot at playing time with the Astros, although that could change if Jose Altuve moves there to accommodate the signing of Alex Bregman.
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Carlos Correa SS | HOU
Twins' Carlos Correa: Ready for camp
Correa declared himself ready for spring training Saturday after spending the first part of the offseason rehabbing from plantar fasciitis in his right foot, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.
The 30-year-old played through the injury during the final weeks of the regular season, but he indicated his recovery and rehab this winter was "more natural" than the previous offseason, when he was working back from plantar fasciitis in his left foot. Correa had a .905 OPS in 2024 but was limited to 86 games due to the injury, and his durability remains a concern heading into 2025.
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Colson Montgomery SS | CHW
White Sox's Colson Montgomery: Expected to debut in 2025
White Sox general manager Chris Getz said Thursday that he expects Montgomery to be the team's shortstop at some point this season, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.
Getz was asked about the possibility of Montgomery cracking the Opening Day roster, of which he replied that the youngster would "get a lot of opportunity come spring training." Montgomery is on the 40-man roster, but a bit more seasoning in the minors seems likely after he slashed just .214/.329/.381 at Triple-A Charlotte in 2024. The shortstop turns 23 in February.
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Jacob Amaya SS | CHW
Orioles' Jacob Amaya: Claimed by Baltimore
The Orioles claimed Amaya off waivers from the White Sox on Thursday.
Amaya had been designated for assignment after slashing only .179/.225/.194 over 23 games for the White Sox down the stretch of the 2024 season. He is out of minor-league options, so Amaya will have to make the Orioles' Opening Day roster or go through waivers again.