MLB Player News

Mateo signed a one-year, $2.7 million contract with the Orioles on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Mateo made $2 million in 2023 while slashing .217/.267/.340 with seven homers and 32 steals over 116 games as the O's primary shortstop. He might be more of a utility player in 2024, which will stunt his fantasy value, but the 28-year-old offers good speed and defensive versatility for the reigning AL East champions.

Shewmake was traded from Atlanta to the White Sox on Thursday along with Michael Soroka (forearm), Jared Shuster, Nicky Lopez and Riley Gowens in exchange for Aaron Bummer.

Shewmake entered the 2022 season with a chance to win the starting shortstop job in Atlanta, but Orlando Arcia's strong form ended that opportunity. Even after posting a disappointing 72 wRC+ across 526 plate appearances with Triple-A Gwinnett, Shewmake should once again be in a position to vie for a consistent role in the majors during spring training thanks to this change of scenery.

Lopez (oblique) was activated from the 60-day injured list Monday.

This is a procedural move for the Blue Jays after Lopez finished the 2023 season on the injured list due to a left oblique strain. He'll be ready to roll for the start of spring training.

The Rays placed Gray on outright waivers Saturday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Gray appeared in just two games for the Rays in 2023, going 2-for-5 with a home run. He slashed .235/.312/.485 with 30 homers and 98 RBI with Triple-A Durham, and he could draw interest on the waiver wire from teams looking for organizational depth in the infield.

Franco was activated Thursday from administrative leave, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

This is merely a procedural move, as administrative leave is only applicable during the season and the World Series came to an end Wednesday. Franco is still under investigation from both authorities in the Dominican Republic and Major League Baseball following allegations that emerged this summer involving inappropriate relationships with minors. Topkin notes that Franco's "status to return to playing remains unchanged and uncertain."

The Rangers added Duran to their World Series roster Tuesday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Duran will be added to the roster as a replacement for Adolis Garcia, who suffered an oblique injury on a swing during Game 3. Duran slashed .276/.324/.443 across 439 plate appearances during the regular season, but he has yet to register a plate appearance in the postseason and will likely be used off the bench during the final games of the Fall Classic.

Pena, who landed on first base awkwardly for the final out of Sunday's ALDS Game 2 loss to the Twins, was spotted taking infield with his teammates during Monday's workout, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Pena appeared to be walking around gingerly after being retired for the final out Sunday, but it seems like he got through Monday's workout with no issues. Expect him to start at shortstop as the Astros look to regain the series edge Tuesday.

Correa went 3-for-4 with two doubles, three RBI and one walk in Sunday's 6-2 win over the Astros in Game 2 of the ALDS.

The star shortstop was an RBI machine in this contest, accounting for half of his team's runs to help tie the series. Correa was preparing himself for a postseason mentality at the end of the regular season, finishing the year with an .840 OPS across 15 games in September, his best mark of any month. That success has translated into October, as he now is slashing .533/.588/.733 across four games this postseason and has also contributed four RBI.

Correa (hand) is in Minnesota's lineup for Game 1 of the ALDS against the Astros, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Correa didn't seem to be too concerned after getting hit in the hand by a pitch toward the end of Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series, and he's officially good to go Saturday. Correa went 3-for-7 with an RBI during the wild-card round and will look to maintain his momentum heading into a series against his former team.

Kessinger is listed on the Astros' ALDS roster, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Kessinger played a minimal role with the Astros during the regular season, slashing .200/.289/.325 across just 45 plate appearances. However, he went 3-for-12 with a homer against left-handed pitchers, so Kessinger may enter occasionally to pinch hit against southpaws.