MLB Player News

Crawford and the Mariners avoided arbitration Tuesday by agreeing to a one-year, $4.85 million contract, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

Crawford will more than double his salary in his second year of arbitration eligibility. While his profile is still driven by his defense, he's coming off a year in which he produced an above-average batting line for the first time, as his .273/.338/.376 triple slash was good for a 103 wRC+.

Adames agreed to a one-year, $4.6 million deal with the Brewers on Tuesday to avoid arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

It's a solid payday for Adames in his first year of arbitration eligibility. He's slated to start at shortstop for the Brewers this year after hitting .285/.366/.521 with 20 homers, 61 runs and 58 RBI in 99 games after being acquired from the Rays last May.

Diaz signed a one-year, $4.45 million contract with the Astros on Tuesday, avoiding arbitration, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The agreement means Diaz will avoid arbitration in his final year of eligibility. The utility infielder is coming off a season in which he hit .259/.317/.405 in 84 games, good for a 99 wRC+.

DeJong is ahead of Edmundo Sosa for the starting shortstop job, John Denton of MLB.com

Manager Oli Marmol entered spring with the mindset that the starting gig at shortstop was Dejong's to lose. So far, DeJong is 1-for-5 with a run scored in three games in spring training, though Marmol has been satisfied with his hitting process if not the results. Both DeJong and Sosa are right-handed hitters, so it's unlikely this develops into a platoon, though the latter could also challenge Tommy Edman for playing time at second base.

Despite his hot start this spring, Cruz may still open the year at Triple-A, according to the Associated Press. "There's still development to be had there," manager Derek Shelton said. "Oneil is going to have an impact on our club this year at some point. When that is, I don't think any of us know."

Cruz has already hit two impressive home runs in spring training and he has zero strikeouts or walks through two games. According to the report, both Shelton and general manager Ben Cherington have said they want Cruz to get experience playing the outfield, and it would make more sense for him to get those reps at Triple-A. For his part, Cruz is adamant that he's a shortstop. "I feel like I've demonstrated a lot," Cruz said, "but I guess I've just got to continue demonstrating." Kevin Newman and Cole Tucker are the other competitors for the starting spot at shortstop. While the team is pumping the brakes on the idea of Cruz breaking camp in the majors, he could probably force its hand if he continues to dominate at the plate.

Barrero underwent surgery Tuesday to repair the hook of his hamate bone in his left hand, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Barrero could have had the chance to push for a starting role to open the season, but he'll now be on the injured list until at least early May. Kyle Farmer looks to be safe at shortstop in Barrero's absence.

Mondesi agreed to a one-year, $3 million contract with Kansas City on Monday, avoiding arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Mondesi struggled to stay healthy a season ago, and with his contract now in order, he can focus on his play. It's already been reported early in camp that he's in line for the starting job at shortstop, though the Royals may also elect to give him looks around the infield given his versatility. It'll also be worth keeping an eye on whether Kansas City plans to grant Mondesi regular rest, given his past injuries.

Smith (ankle) will start at shortstop and bat eighth Monday in the Rangers' Cactus League game against the Guardians.

Texas scratched Smith from its lineup for Sunday's game against the Brewers while he contended with a sore ankle, but the extra day off was apparently all the infield prospect needed to move past the issue. Smith, who was one of several farmhands the Rangers acquired last summer in the deal that sent Joey Gallo to the Yankees, slashed .294/.425/.431 with three home runs and seven stolen bases across 127 plate appearances at Double-A Frisco following his arrival from New York.

Rojas (finger) is included in Miami's lineup for Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets, batting ninth and starting at shortstop.

Early in the offseason, Rojas was sent in for an MRI after sustaining an apparent injury to a finger on his left hand, but he seemingly avoided surgery and reported to spring training at full health. He'll be making his second appearance of the spring, after previously playing Saturday and going 1-for-2 with a double and a walk in a 10-2 win over the Astros. Rojas served as the leadoff man for that contest, but he'll check in at the bottom of the order Monday while the Marlins give Jazz Chisholm a spin in the table-setting role.

Abrams hit a solo home run as a pinch hitter in the ninth inning in San Diego's Cactus League loss to Milwaukee on Sunday.

Abrams connected on a shot to left field off Brewers reliever Dylan File in his only at-bat of the game. The Padres' top prospect also homered Saturday and has gone 4-for-6 with the pair of long balls and three RBI across three games this spring. Abrams hasn't yet shown much power in the minors -- he hit just two homers in 183 plate appearances last season -- but has the potential to grow that tool given his ability to make hard contact and his developing strength. He hasn't yet played above the Double-A level and is expected to open the 2022 campaign in the minors, but a strong showing could lead to a call-up sometime in 2022.