MLB Player News

Anderson (personal) agreed to a six-year, $25 million contract extension with the White Sox on Tuesday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

It's the largest contract ever given to a player with less than one year of service time in MLB history, as Anderson, the White Sox's presumptive shortstop of the present and future, decided to prioritize earlier financial security over long-term earning potential. The contract will allow the White Sox to retain Anderson's rights until he turns 31 years old, while also buying out his arbitration years and first two years of free agency. The White Sox are hoping that the 23-year-old can establish himself as a top-of-the-lineup bat in 2017 after he slashed .283/.306/.432 in 431 plate appearances as a rookie, while delivering nine homers and 10 steals.

Correa went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and two runs scored in Puerto Rico's 4-3 extra-inning win over the Netherlands at Dodger Stadium in Monday's semi-final game in the World Baseball Classic, Manny Randhawa of MLB.com reports.

The 441-foot homer, which was measured as the ninth longest in Dodger Stadium in the Statcast era, tied the game after the Netherlands took an early 2-0 lead. He also scored the game's winning run. Correa, a shortstop by trade, flashed his defense, too, making a key stop at third base. For the tournament, the Astros young star has been a key cog in the Puerto Rico lineup, hitting .400 (8-for-20) with three homers and nine RBI.

Anderson is out of the White Sox's lineup for the third straight game Monday due to personal reasons, Dan Hayes of CSN Chicago reports.

Although only the first absence was planned for, Hayes reported that it was nothing to worry about. Anderson enjoyed a nice debut with the White Sox last season, as the 23-year-old slashed .238/.306/.432 with nine homers and 10 stolen bases in 99 games. He'll look to improve on those numbers in his first full major league season in 2017.

Mondesi (back) will man second base and bat in the leadoff spot in Sunday's Cactus League game against the Cubs, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Mondesi had been out of action the last two days while dealing with lower-back tightness, but the Royals never viewed it as a long-term concern. With Mondesi back in action after the brief absence, he'll look to continue his stellar spring training, during which he's gone 13-of-30 (.433 average) with two homers and two doubles. Those excellent numbers may be enough to keep him ahead of Whit Merrifield and Christian Colon in the competition for starting duties at second base.

Urena was optioned to minor league camp Friday, Mike Wilner of Sportsnet.ca reports.

He was added to the 40-man roster in the offseason but that was for Rule 5 protection -- Urena has logged just 132 plate appearances above the High-A level. A top-five prospect in the Toronto farm system, he recorded eight hits in 28 plate appearances during his time in the Grapefruit League, although seven of the eight hits were singles. A full season at the upper levels of the minor leagues seems likely for the 21-year-old.

Mondesi was a late scratch from Friday's Cactus League lineup with lower back tightness, Rustin Dodd of The Kansas City Star reports.

Humberto Arteaga took his place at second base. Mondesi is having a great spring, batting .433 with two home runs and three RBI over 13 games. Consider him day-to-day until further information becomes available.

Mateo was optioned to High-A Tampa and reassigned to minor league camp Friday, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.

The 21-year-old will repeat his highest level in the minors, where he struggled with a .254 batting average and .685 OPS last year despite eight home runs and 36 stolen bases. His attitude has been an issue, and Mateo may need to show more maturity before being trusted at the higher levels. Adding that to his toolsy makeup eventually could produce a fantasy stud. Still, with Gleyber Torres, Clint Frazier and other top prospects bolstering the top of this system, Mateo may wind up elsewhere in the coming years if he can't correct his flaws.

Pennington (shoulder) is back in the Angels' lineup Thursday, The Orange County Register's Jeff Fletcher reports.

Pennington has been held out of action for the past week with a minor shoulder injury. The veteran infielder said he is feeling fine now, and his appearance in Thursday's starting lineup confirms that statement. Assuming he doesn't suffer a setback, Pennington should make the Opening Day roster as a backup infielder.

Adames was optioned to Triple-A Durham on Wednesday.

He was in big league camp, but was not a realistic option to break camp on the 25-man roster, so this does not come as a surprise. Adames is the Rays' top prospect, and has the potential to hit 25-plus homers as a shortstop. He could make his big league debut in the second half.

Mondesi is back in the lineup playing second base on Monday, Josh Vernier of 610 Sports Radio reports.

Mondesi left last Friday's game with what the Royals thought was a concussion, but the 21-year-old passed all the necessary tests and will be back on the field after completing a workout with no issues Sunday. He'll continue to battle it out in a four-way competition for the second-base job.