MLB Player News

Correa said Thursday that his back feels 100 percent, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports. "Not even a slight bother in my back," the shortstop said. "It's been feeling awesome."

This is certainly encouraging to hear, as Correa's struggles at the dish in 2018 can largely be attributed to lingering back and oblique injuries that he dealt with throughout the season. A healthy Correa will look to return to the elite form he displayed from 2015-17 (.288/.366/.498), making him a prime buy-low candidate in 2019.

Swanson hit off a tee for the first time Wednesday since undergoing offseason wrist surgery, although he's expected to take it slow at the beginning of spring training, Gabe Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

He had surgery to eradicate a loose body in his left wrist at the beginning of November. While Swanson is expected to be ready to go for Opening Day, the Braves will take it easy with their starting shortstop this spring to prevent further issue.

Ahmed agreed to a one-year deal with the Diamondbacks on Friday, avoiding arbitration.

Ahmed's batting averaged decreased to .234 in 2018, although he belted a career-high 16 homers and drove in 70 runs in 153 ballgames. Whether he'll be able to maintain this kind of power over two straight seasons will be something to keep an eye on as the 2019 campaign unfolds.

Story agreed to a one-year, $5 million contract with the Rockies on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Story's contract was announced well past the deadline, so although it looked as though a hearing would be required, the two sides did eventually come to an agreement. Colorado's starting shortstop set career highs in home runs (37), RBI (108), batting average (.291), OBP (.348) and OPS (.915) over 157 games in 2018 and appears to be on track to do more damage heading into the upcoming campaign.

Seager agreed to a one-year, $4 million contract with the Dodgers on Friday, avoiding arbitration, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

Seager opted against elbow surgery last offseason and the decision cost him, as he was eventually forced under the knife after playing in just 26 games in 2018. He had another procedure later in the summer to address a hip issue. There is added risk here after the lost year, but with Seager going outside the top 80 on average in early drafts, he looks like he could be one of the top value picks on the board.

Lindor agreed to a one-year, $10.55 million contract with the Indians on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Lindor belted 38 homers and drove in 92 runs while producing a .277/.352/.519 slash line over 158 games a season ago, and the Indians have managed to avoid an arbitration hearing by coming to terms with their starting shortstop prior to the deadline. The 25-year-old will enter the new campaign as one of the most valuable players at his position in the game of baseball.

Bogaerts signed a one-year, $12.0 million contract with the Red Sox on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Bogaerts saw a substantial raise from his $7.05 million salary a season ago, and he earned it by more than doubling his home-run total (10 to 23) and driving in 103 RBI over 136 ballgames. He'll undoubtedly begin the 2019 campaign as the starting shortstop for the defending World Series champions after turning in stellar numbers a year ago.

Baez and the Cubs avoided arbitration with a one-year, $5.2 million deal Friday, Jon Heyman of FancredSports.com reports.

Baez finished second in NL MVP voting last season after hitting 34 homers, stealing 21 bases and posting a .290/.326/.554 slash line, but baseball's economic setup will keep him a bargain for the Cubs due to his relative lack of service time. He lines up as the Cubs' Opening Day shortstop with Addison Russell suspended for the first month of the season and could play almost anywhere on the diamond once Russell returns.

Rojas signed a one-year, $3.155 million contract with the Marlins on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports.

Rojas had a .252/.297/.346 slash line with 11 home runs in 2018 as he exceeded 300 at-bats for the first time in his major-league career. The 29-year-old's defense and positional versatility remain his best assets as his work at the plate makes him an nonviable fantasy option.

Turner and the Nationals avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.725 million deal Friday, Robert Murray of The Athletic reports.

Turner appeared in all 162 games for Washington last season, hitting a career-high 19 homers while swiping 43 bags. He'll be the Nationals' everyday shortstop again this year.