MLB Player News

Edman is expected to see action at as many as six different positions in spring training, as the Cardinals envision him filling an everyday role as a super-utility man in 2020, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

St. Louis is eager to open up everyday playing time for Edman after he posted a team-best .850 OPS last season following his promotion from Triple-A Memphis in early June. After playing 55 games at third base and 29 games at second base as a rookie, Edman should already carry dual-position eligibility in most fantasy leagues entering 2020, and the Cardinals could work him into the mix at all three outfield spots as necessary. Any additional eligibility he gains as the season rolls along will only provide another boost to the ascending value of Edman, who could make a run at a 20-20 season if he gets 600-plus plate appearances.

The Diamondbacks will not feel the need to rush Perdomo's development, after the team extended shortstop Nick Ahmed through the 2023 season, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

The 20-year-old Perdomo is among the organization's top prospects and finished 2019 with a 26-game stint at High-A Visalia. Extending Ahmed allows Perdomo to take a more measured path to MLB. The shortstop survived the cooler spring months before busting out over the second half of the season, posting a .325/.426/.430 slash line, while also stealing a combined 20 bags between Visalia and Low-A Kane County.

Ahmed agreed to a four-year extension with Arizona on Monday.

Ahmed will make at least $32.5 million over the course of the deal, with the potential for more in incentives, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports. The shortstop had been scheduled to reach free agency after the 2020 season, so the deal buys out three extra years and keeps him under club control through his age-33 season. He's never had an above-average batting line, but his .254/.316/.437 line last season was good for a 92 wRC+, an acceptable figure for a player with a strong defensive reputation at shortstop.

Garcia was given an invitation to the Reds' big-league spring training camp, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Garcia broke out last year at High-A Daytona after initially struggling following his signing as a minor league free agent from Cuba. This year will help the Reds determine whether he's their shortstop of the future, or just a player that performed well while being a little old for the level.

Cecchini signed a minor-league contract with the Diamondbacks on Monday.

Arizona has already assigned Cecchini to Triple-A Reno, so it doesn't sound like he'll get the opportunity to compete for a bench role with the big club in spring training. Once a prospect of some repute while coming up through the Mets' farm system, the 26-year-old represents little more than organizational infield depth at this stage of his career. He hasn't appeared in the majors since 2017 and slashed just .248/.305/.344 in the minors last season, with most of his action coming at the Double-A level.

Story signed a two-year, $27.5 million contract with the Rockies on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

This deal will buy out the final two seasons of arbitration for the shortstop. He put together another strong year at the dish in 2019, slashing .294/.363/.554 with 35 home runs, 85 RBI and 23 stolen bases in 145 contests.

Downs has received an invitation to the Dodgers' major-league spring training, Eric Stephen of TrueBlueLA.com reports.

Downs will get a taste of big-league pitching after proving capable against his competition at High-A and Double-A in 2019. Given the Dodgers' depth, Downs -- who is not on the team's 40-man roster -- could spend all of 2020 in the minors.

Shewmake was invited to the Braves' big-league camp Wednesday.

The 21st-overall pick in last year's amateur draft, Shewmake rose all the way to Double-A in his first professional season, though he struggled to a .217/.288/.217 line there in a small sample of 14 games for Mississippi. He'll likely spend this season conquering the high minors before pushing for a big-league spot in 2021.

Perdomo was invited to big-league camp Tuesday.

Perdomo will spend a brief period with the Diamondbacks' major-league coaching staff, though he'll need some time before he joins them for good. He's yet to reach the Double-A level, though he looked good at Low-A and High-A last season, stealing 26 bases while hitting .275/.397/.364 and posting a higher walk rate (14.0 percent) than strikeout rate (13.4 percent).

Reyes cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday, Nubyjas Wilborn of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Reyes was designated for assignment one week ago, and after going unclaimed while on waivers, he'll head to Pittsburgh's Triple-A affiliate. He should have a chance to surface in the big leagues sometime during the 2020 season after appearing in 71 games for the Pirates in 2019, hitting .203 with two home runs and 19 RBI.