MLB Player News

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.

Diaz is one of several options to get at-bats as Houston's designated hitter in 2019, Brian McTaggart of the Astros' official site reports.

Evan Gattis received the most DH plate appearances in 2018, but he's a free agent and unlikely to return. Houston had a .750 OPS as a team in the DH spot last year, which ranked 10th in the American League, so it could be in the market for a hitter. If the Astros don't bring anyone in, they have in-house options and enough position versatility to cover the position. Diaz, who hit 18 home runs with a .756 OPS for Toronto last year, is one of them. The Astros can also rotate Michael Brantley and Yuli Gurriel.

Featherston signed a minor-league contract with the Royals, Brandon Warne of ZoneCoverage.com reports.

Featherston played in 137 big-league games from 2015 to 2017, but his miserable .160/.221/.256 line didn't earn him any playing time last season. He can play anywhere in the infield but his bat is likely too light for even a rebuilding Royals team to find at-bats for him.

Herrera was claimed off waivers by the Marlins on Wednesday, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports.

Herrera was cast off the Royals' roster after a forgettable debut season in which he hit .234/.286/.317 in 86 games between Cincinnati and Kansas City. He has offer defensive versatility, having played second, third and all three outfield positions in 2018, and that will only help his odds of winning a bench role. He'll join one of the easiest organizations in which to earn playing time in Miami, but it would be a surprise to see him producing at a fantasy-relevant level this season.

Downs was traded to the Dodgers along with Josiah Gray and Homer Bailey in exchange for Yasiel Puig, Alex Wood and Matt Kemp, Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reports.

Downs is probably the most valuable player in this entire trade -- a shortstop with a good hit tool, developing power and good speed. He hit .257/.351/.402 with 13 home runs, 37 steals and a strikeout rate below 20 percent (19.7) at Low-A last year. Downs should enjoy the hitter-friendly conditions in the California League in his age 20/21 season.

Anna reached a minor-league agreement with Minnesota on Wednesday, Brandon Warne of Zone Coverage reports.

Anna has spent the past three seasons at the Triple-A level and has only appeared in 13 big-league games in his professional career. The 32-year-old slashed .271/.367/.341 with one home run, 34 RBI and nine stolen bases for Lehigh Valley in the Phillies' system this past year, and will provide middle-infield depth for the Twins moving forward.

Herrera was designated for assignment by the Royals on Tuesday, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Herrera was cast off Kansas City's 40-man roster in order to free up a spot for Terrance Gore, who was signed to a split contract. The 26-year-old appeared in 86 big-league games in 2018, hitting .234/.386/.317 with one homer and three steals.

D'Arnaud signed a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training with the Rangers on Monday.

The veteran utility man has received at least some big-league game time in seven of the last eight seasons but has never come to the plate more than 262 times in a year. In 100 plate appearances with the Giants last season, he hit .215/.253/.366, good for a 66 wRC+, an above-average season for a player whose career wRC+ sits at 59. The 31-year-old could make it eight seasons out of nine should injuries strike the Rangers this year but will be unlikely to make a fantasy impact during his time in the big leagues.

Cordoba (thumb) is playing in the Panamanian Winter League, Bill Center of MLB.com reports.

Cordoba is apparently back to health and participating in winter ball after undergoing season-ending thumb surgery in August. The 23-year-old slashed .206/.233/.310 across 45 games with High-A Lake Elsinore in 2018 before being cast off San Diego's 40-man roster.

Seager (elbow) has transitioned from rehab to training and remains on track in his recovery process, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Seager is still making his way back from Tommy John surgery that took place in May of 2018. The Dodgers feel good about how he's progressing to this point, although they'll evaluate him further in January. If all goes according to plan, Seager should be ready to play on Opening Day.