MLB Player News

Franco hasn't played in the Dominican Winter League since Friday due to an arm injury, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

The 19-year-old was hitting well with a .935 OPS through five games before suffering the injury. The specifics of the issue remain unclear, but the organization is likely exercise plenty of caution with Franco this offseason due to his status as one of the top prospects in baseball.

Perdomo was added to the Diamondbacks' 40-man roster Friday.

Perdomo was part of Arizona's taxi squad in 2020, but he failed to make his major-league debut during the abbreviated season. As one of the team's top prospects, it's unsurprising to see him protected from the upcoming Rule 5 draft as part of the 40-man roster.

Marcano was added to the Padres' 40-man roster Friday.

The move means Marcano won't be available for selection in the upcoming Rule 5 draft. It may have been a stretch for any team to select him, given that he's never played above Low-A, but the Padres evidently believe he has enough potential that they didn't want to take the risk.

Lopez's contract was purchased by the Blue Jays on Friday.

While Lopez probably won't reach the majors until at least 2022, he has a very intriguing skill set as an infielder with defensive versatility and a good hit tool. He hit .324/.371/.425 with five home runs, 20 steals and a 12.8 percent strikeout rate at Low-A in 2019 and should open the 2021 season at High-A or Double-A.

The Indians have informed several other clubs that they intend to trade Lindor prior to Opening Day, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Lindor is set to earn approximately $21 million this winter in his final year of arbitration, and the Indians are apparently eager to move him with the aims of cutting payroll for the upcoming season and getting back future assets in return for the star shortstop before he hits free agency next offseason. Though Lindor took a step back offensively in the 60-game 2020 campaign with a career-worst .750 OPS, his long track record of success at the dish coupled with the premium defense he offers should keep the Indians' asking price for the 26-year-old high. Expect a number of playoff-hopeful clubs to touch base with the Indians in trade discussions over the next few months.

The Pirates declared Reyes (suspension) a free agent Sunday, Chris Hilburn-Trenkle of Baseball America reports.

Shortly after Pittsburgh outrighted him off its 40-man roster in January, Reyes received an 80-game suspension following a positive test for a performance-enhancing substance. Assuming the Pirates' 60-game 2020 regular season counts toward his suspension, Reyes will have to sit out the first 20 games of the 2021 minor-league season before he's eligible to play again, likely with a new organization's Triple-A or Double-A affiliate.

Velazquez cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Velazquez appeared in 40 games for the Orioles during the shortened 2020 season, but he failed to get into a rhythm as he slashed .159/.274/.206 with three RBI and four stolen bases prior to being sent down in September. He won't have a spot on the 40-man roster heading into the offseason, and it's unclear how much major-league playing time he could see in 2021.

The Mariners declined Strange-Gordon's contract option Wednesday, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

Strange-Gordon played a part-time role for Seattle during the abbreviated 2020 season, and he'll hit free agency after his contract option was declined. The Mariners haven't expressed interest in bringing him back on a revised deal, and he should have to settle for another part-time role after slashing .200/.268/.213 with three RBI and three stolen bases over 33 games in 2020.

Wendle is not in the lineup for Game 4 of the World Series against the Dodgers on Saturday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Wendle will head to the bench with left-hander Julio Urias set to start for the Dodgers. Mike Brosseau will take over at third base in his absence.

Seager went 2-for-4 with a solo homer Wednesday in a loss to the Rays in Game 2 of the World Series.

Seager hit a solo homer in the eighth inning off Pete Fairbanks. The 26-year-old crushed his seventh homer of postseason, the most by a shortstop in a single postseason. The left-handed hitter slashed .307/.358/.585 and smacked 15 homers while recording 41 RBI during the regular season.