De La Cruz should benefit from Cincinnati signing free agent Eugenio Suarez, who is expected to bat cleanup behind De La Cruz, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

The addition of Suarez's bat is expected to provide protection for De La Cruz, who started 148 games as the No. 3 hitter and led the team with 22 home runs in 2025. The Reds hadn't done much to address the need for power during the offseason until signing Suarez, a right-handed bat that belted 49 home runs in 2025 while with Arizona and Seattle. Despite playing in one of the league's friendlier hitting environments, Cincinnati ranked 21st in home runs and struggled offensively at times last season, and it lost two of its top offensive performers this offseason, Austin Hays and Gavin Lux.

The Nationals designated Cheng for assignment Friday.

Cheng has already been in four different organizations this offseason and could make it a fifth as he heads back to waivers. The 24-year-old infielder slashed .209/.307/.271 at Triple-A Indianapolis in the Pirates organization last season and went hitless in seven plate appearances during a cup of coffee in the majors.

The Nationals claimed Cheng off waivers from the Mets on Wednesday.

It's the fourth organization that Cheng has been in this offseason. Cheng batted only .209/.307/.271 at Triple-A Indianapolis in the Pirates organization last season and went hitless in seven plate appearances with the big club. The 24-year-old will compete for a reserve role with the Nationals but does have minor-league options remaining.

Schmitt (wrist) has begun a hitting progression after getting cleared last week, Maria Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Schmitt estimated that the grip strength in his left hand is back to 95 percent. He first got hurt all the way back on June 25 and played through the injury throughout the second half of last season, finally having surgery in December.

Williams said Monday that his positional focus heading into spring training will be at shortstop, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Acquired from the Mets last week in the Freddy Peralta trade, Williams' primary position so far in pro ball has been shortstop, but he's also played second base and center field and considers himself "pretty comfortable at all three positions now." Williams is likely to begin the 2026 season at Triple-A Nashville after hitting only .209/.285/.433at Triple-A Syracuse in 2025 following a late-season promotion. The 22-year-old could debut at some point during the upcoming season, likely either at shortstop or in center field.

The Phillies have extended Miller an invitation to big-league camp during spring training.

It's the second straight year with a big-league camp invite for Miller, who slashed .264/.392/.433 with 14 home runs, 59 stolen bases and an 82:123 BB:K over 116 games between Double-A Reading and Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2025. The 21-year-old has only played shortstop in pro ball and Trea Turner has that position locked down with the major-league club, so Miller is likely to return to Lehigh Valley to begin the 2026 season.

The Rangers traded Fitz-Gerald (shoulder), Gavin Fien, Alejandro Rosario (elbow), Abimelec Ortiz and Yeremy Cabrera to the Nationals on Thursday in exchange for MacKenzie Gore, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Fitz-Gerald played his first professional season in 2025 and slashed .302/.428/.482 over 173 plate appearances between rookie ball and Single-A before a shoulder injury cut his season short in early July. It's unknown where the 20-year-old infielder stands in his recovery process, but he will likely report to Single-A Fredericksburg once he's cleared to play.

The Rangers traded Fien to the Nationals on Thursday alongside Alejandro Rosario (elbow), Abimelec Ortiz, Devin Fitz-Gerald (shoulder) and Yeremy Cabrera in exchange for MacKenzie Gore, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

After being selected 12th overall in the 2025 First-Year Player Draft, Fien reported to the Rangers' Single-A affiliate and slashed .220/.267/.341 with seven RBI and four runs scored across 45 plate appearances. He's highly regarded for his hitting, power and arm, though it will likely be a few years before the 18-year-old infielder makes his MLB debut.

Atlanta re-signed Williams to a minor-league contract Jan. 18.

Williams elected free agency earlier in the offseason after being cast off Atlanta's 40-man roster, but he's found his way back into the organization on a minor-league pact. The 29-year-old has managed just a .212/.270/.280 batting line covering parts of five major-league seasons, but Williams will give Atlanta some utility depth.

The Mets traded Williams to the Brewers on Wednesday alongside Brandon Sproat in exchange for Freddy Peralta and Tobias Myers, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

After posting an .867 OPS over 96 games with the Mets' Double-A affiliate last season, Williams received a promotion to Triple-A Syracuse in mid-August and slashed .209/.285/.433 with seven homers, 15 RBI and 21 runs scored across 151 plate appearances. The 22-year-old prospect doesn't own a 40-man roster spot, making it likely that he will report to Triple-A Nashville to begin his tenure with the Brewers. However, he could be promoted sometime during the season if shortstop Joey Ortiz's offensive struggles carry into 2026.