MLB Player News
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Trey Sweeney SS | DET
Tigers' Trey Sweeney: Dealing with crowded infield
Sweeney stands a good chance to make Detroit's Opening Day roster, though he faces plenty of competition for an everyday starting role, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.
The Tigers added Gleyber Torres in the offseason, and he figures to slot in at second base. The signing added further depth to a team that already features a handful of versatile infield defenders, such as Zach McKinstry, who is out of minor-league options. Sweeney and McKinstry are each left-handed, and the fact Sweeney has minor-league options remaining could result in him opening the year at Triple-A. Veteran shortstop Javier Baez (hip) is questionable for Opening Day, and would likely start at shortstop against lefties when healthy, regardless of whether Sweeney is on the roster. Fantasy managers may need to show some patience with Sweeney, though he could see his role expand as the year progresses.
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Alika Williams SS | PIT
Pirates' Alika Williams: Booted from 40-man roster
The Pirates designated Williams for assignment Monday, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
The move frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Tim Mayza, whose signing was officially announced Monday. Williams, who turns 26 in March, has managed just a .202/.257/.271 batting line with zero home runs over 208 plate appearances at the major-league level.
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Osleivis Basabe SS | SF
Rays' Osleivis Basabe: Booted from 40-man roster
The Rays designated Basabe for assignment Monday, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.
The move frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for the newly-acquired Alex Faedo. Basabe, 24, missed a large chunk of the 2024 season with a fractured wrist, slashing just .248/.293/.336 over 66 contests during his time at Triple-A Durham. He has minor-league options left and could draw interest from a team looking for utility depth.
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Xander Bogaerts SS | SD
Padres' Xander Bogaerts: Expected to play shortstop in 2025
Bogaerts will be the Padres' starting shortstop during the upcoming season, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.
San Diego shifted Bogaerts to second base ahead of the 2024 campaign, and he ended up making 85 starts there. However, the veteran infielder did start 16 times at shortstop, with all of those appearances coming at the end of the season after Ha-Seong Kim landed on the injured list due to a shoulder injury. Kim is now in Tampa Bay, which made Bogaerts' return to shortstop an expected scenario. For fantasy purposes, it's important to note that Bogaerts made 20 appearances at the position in total during the 2024 regular season, so he should have dual-position eligibility from the beginning of the season in most formats.
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Miguel Rojas SS | LAD
Dodgers' Miguel Rojas: Recovering from hernia surgery
Rojas said Saturday expects to be ready by Opening Day after undergoing hernia surgery during the offseason, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Rojas revealed that he developed an infection after the procedure, which delayed his offseason program by a few weeks. The 35-year-old infielder said that he is nearly at full health, and unless he suffers a setback, he should be ready for Opening Day. Rojas slashed .283/.337/.410 with eight stolen bases, six home runs and 36 RBI across 337 plate appearances during the 2024 regular season.
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Luis De Los Santos 3B | NYM
Mets' Luis De Los Santos: DFA'd by Mets
The Mets designated De Los Santos for assignment Friday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
De Los Santos was claimed off waivers by the Mets on Nov. 4 after being let go by the Blue Jays. He spent most of the 2024 season at Triple-A Buffalo, where he slashed .260/375./.441 with six home runs and 16 RBI over 152 plate appearances. De Los Santos was brought in to compete for spot on the Mets' roster for the 2025 campaign, but his removal from the 40-man roster is to make room for Nick Madrigal, who signed a one-year, $1.35 million contract Friday.
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Braden Shewmake SS | NYY
Royals' Braden Shewmake: Squeezed off 40-man
The Royals designated Shewmake for assignment Friday.
The Royals made the signing of Carlos Estevez official Friday, leaving no room on the 40-man roster for Shewmake. The 27-year-old infielder will now enter the waiver process for the second time in the last 30 days, and his reputation as a strong defender could get him picked up by another club.
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Luis Vazquez SS | BAL
Orioles' Luis Vazquez: Traded to Baltimore
The Orioles acquired Vazquez from the Cubs on Friday in exchange for cash considerations.
Vazquez had been designated for assignment and will now join a new 40-man roster. The 25-year-old will compete for a utility infielder job, but Vazquez has minor-league options remaining and will likely begin the year at Triple-A Norfolk.
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Jorge Mateo SS | ATL
Orioles' Jorge Mateo: Avoids arbitration
The Orioles agreed to terms with Mateo (elbow) on a one-year contract Tuesday with a club option for 2026 to avoid arbitration.
The deal is worth $3.55 million, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports. As for Mateo's injured left elbow, there is no update as he recovers from UCL reconstruction surgery on his non throwing arm. He may be limited in spring training, and as to how he will be used is up in the air. The utility player will have a conversation with the Orioles on how he will be utilized when spring training commences, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reported Dec. 9.