MLB Player News

Noonan signed a minor league contract with the Padres on Wednesday that includes an invite to major league spring training, Dennis Lin of the Union-Tribune reports.

The former Giants infielder and San Diego native will be a non-roster invitee for Padres' upcoming spring training, where he'll compete against four other NRI infield candidates in addition to more established players for a spot on the roster. Noonan's left-handed bat would theoretically be a nice addition to the Padres' predominantly right-handed lineup, but the offseason signing of Alexei Ramirez makes Noonan a long shot at making the Opening Day roster.

Herrera received an invitation to spring training Thursday.

Herrera spent another season with High-A Modesto, but considering he only batted .260 last season, he'll likely head back to the minors for more seasoning after spring training.

Featherston was traded to the Phillies for a player to be named later or cash considerations on Wednesday.

In his first MLB season, Featherston hit for a .162/.212/.247 slash line in 101 games last season. After his rapid ascent through the Angels' minor league season, the 25-year-old seemed to hit a ceiling in the majors last year and it will be interesting to see how his role changes with the Phillies.

Arcia will begin the 2016 season in the minors, according to Brewers general manager David Stearns, MLB.com reports.

Speculation obviously grew when Milwaukee traded Jean Segura to Arizona on Saturday, clearing a path to the majors for Arcia, but Stearns reset expectations."We're going to send [Arcia] to Triple-A and allow him to continue his development," Stearns said. "Ultimately, as he continues to grow and mature as a player, his production and his continued development will dictate his timeline to the Major Leagues, rather than a move like this." At this time, it looks like Jonathan Villar will start at shortstop when the 2016 begins.

The Nationals have received big contributions from young players in recent years, and they will need another big prospect to step up if they want to get back to the playoffs in 2016. Shortstop Trea Turner got his first taste of the majors last season and struggled a bit, but has plenty of upside for Fantasy players to dream on this season.

Turner hit just .225 in his 44 plate appearances a year ago, with a strikeout in 27.2 percent of his trips to the plate, an uncharacteristic struggle for a player who hit .322 with a 19.9 percent strikeout rate in the minors. If Turner's game is going to translate to the majors, it will be because he can get that average up near .300, allowing his gap power and baserunning abilities to play up.

His struggles last season likely mean he won't have a job from day one -- thanks Dusty Baker! -- but he is the highest-upside play the Nationals have to choose from, and that upside -- 35 steals, 10 homers, .300 average -- makes him worth stashing even if he isn't starting from day one.

Tejada, who fractured his fibula as a result of Chase Utley's late, takeout slide in the playoffs, has shed his walking boot and is working out in Panama, ESPN New York reports

Tejada may report to Port St. Lucie on Monday, three weeks before the required reporting date. He is slated to be the back up at second base and shortstop, though it's still possible the Mets try and deal him to clear some salary or designate him for assignment to create room on the 40-man roster.

Cecchini (hip) received a spring training invite from the Mets, Adam Rubin of ESPN New York reports.

Cecchini hit .317/.377/.442 in 109 games with Double-A Binghamton last year, building off the mild success he had the prior season. The jury is still out if he will hit enough and be good enough defensively to be a starter in the majors, as some feel he will settle in as a utility infielder.

Tejada agreed to a one-year, $3 million contract with the Mets on Friday, Matt Ehalt of The Record reports.

Tejada will get a pay bump of $1.12 million in his second year of arbitration, now putting that part of the offseason behind him. The 26-year-old will now look to unseat Asdrubal Cabrera for playing time at shortstop, though he'll likely enter spring training behind the veteran on the depth chart.

Gordon agreed to a five-year, $50 million contract with the Marlins on Wednesday, FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports.

Gordon won the NL batting title last season and posted a career-best .777 OPS, so the Marlins decided to lock him in through 2020. The deal also includes a $14 million vesting option that could make him a Marlin for another season beyond that. Gordon will continue as the Marlins' regular second baseman and leadoff hitter in 2016 and beyond.

Swanson was extended an invitation to major league camp for spring training, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

There is no realistic chance Swanson breaks camp with the big club, but his time with the major league team should ultimately prove a valuable learning experience for the 21-year-old. Traded to Atlanta from Arizona in last month's blockbuster Shelby Miller deal, Swanson hit .289/.394/.482 with a homer and 11 RBI in 22 games with Low-A Hillsboro in 2015.