MLB Player News

Neto (shoulder) is not expected to be ready for Opening Day, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Neto underwent right shoulder surgery in early November, but the Angels haven't revealed the type of procedure he had or how long he might be sidelined. While a stint on the 10-day injured list to begin the season is expected, Bollinger writes that the team is "optimistic" the young shortstop won't miss much time. There should be further clarity on Neto's situation this week once position players arrive in Angels camp. Tim Anderson, Kevin Newman, Scott Kingery, Luis Rengifo and Kyren Paris are the candidates to fill in at shortstop until Neto is ready.

Workman, who was selected in the Rule 5 draft back in December, could make the Opening Day roster in a bench infielder role, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Workman, whom the Cubs poached from Detroit, has never appeared above the Double-A level, but the Cubs have to keep the Rule 5 pick in the majors all season if they want to retain him. While many Rule 5 picks get returned to their original team before Opening Day, it sounds like Workman's got a real shot to break camp with the Cubs. If Nico Hoerner (elbow) isn't tracking towards being ready for the start of the season, that would give Workman an even better chance of making the team.

Arias will compete during spring training for the Guardians' second base job, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Bell currently projects Juan Brito to win the job but acknowledges it's a coin flip between him and Arias. Tyler Freeman, Daniel Schneemann and Angel Martinez will also be in the mix. Arias, who turns 25 later this month, has slashed only .212/.274/.350 with a 32.3 percent strikeout rate in parts of three major-league seasons and spent the entirety of the second half last season in the minors. However, he hit well in the Venezuelan Winter League and boasts a career 42.3 percent hard-hit rate.

The Guardians "continue to express their extreme excitement" at getting a look at Brito at second base this spring, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Joe Noga of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported in January that Brito might be a long shot to win the second base job. However, Bell has listed Brito as the starter at the keystone in her first Opening Day roster projection, though she acknowledges the competition will be "back and forth between Brito and Gabriel Arias all spring." The 23-year-old Brito slashed .256/.365/.443 with 21 homers and 13 steals in 2024 at Triple-A Columbus and offers the most offensive upside out out Cleveland's second-base candidates. Tyler Freeman, Daniel Schneemann and Angel Martinez are also in the mix to replace Andres Gimenez, who was traded to the Blue Jays.

Tena will battle with Trey Lipscomb in spring training for the Nationals' starting job at third base, Bobby Blanco of MASN Sports reports.

Tena showed some upside at the plate after being acquired from the Guardians in the Lane Thomas trade last year, slashing .274/.305/.363 over 41 games for the Nats with three homers and six steals in seven attempts. The 23-year-old mostly played shortstop in the minors however, and defensively he has a lot of work to do at the hot corner, committing nine errors on only 87 chances. Lipscomb has the stronger glove, but he stumbled to a .500 OPS in 61 big-league games in 2024. If Tena shows enough improvement in the field during camp, he'll be the favorite to get the nod at third base in the Opening Day lineup. Prospect Brady House could also get a look this spring, but he likely needs more development time at Triple-A before he'll be ready to take over the job.

Williams cleared waivers Friday and was sent outright to Triple-A Indianapolis, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

The 25-year-old infielder was booted off the Pirates' 40-man roster Monday to make room for Tim Mayza, but Williams went unclaimed off waivers and will remain in the organization. He slashed .311/.384/.396 with 13 RBI across 186 plate appearances in Triple-A last season, but he owns just a .529 OPS over his major-league career.

The Orioles outrighted Vazquez to Triple-A Norfolk on Friday.

Vazquez is no longer on the 40-man roster but will remain in the organization after passing through waivers unclaimed. The 25-year-old will provide infield depth at Norfolk.

The White Sox signed Gray to a minor-league contract Friday that includes an invitation to spring training.

Gray, who turns 29 in March, has managed just a .495 OPS in limited action at the big-league level. He had a couple 30-homer seasons during his time with Triple-A Durham in the Rays organization and is going to a talent-deficient roster, so Gray could break camp with the White Sox.

The Giants acquired Basabe from the Rays on Thursday in exchange for cash considerations, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Basabe had been designated for assignment and is now on the move to a new organization. The 24-year-old missed much of 2024 due to injury and, when on the field, slashed only .248/.293/.336 over 66 contests at Triple-A Durham. Basabe is a versatile defender and is projected to serve as utility depth at Triple-A Sacramento.

Baldwin could begin the 2025 season as the White Sox starting shortstop, Chris Getz of MLB.com reports.

The White Sox have a particularly uncertain outlook at shortstop, with Baldwin, Colson Montgomery and Chase Meidroth all potential candidates. Baldwin has the advantage of big-league experience as well as defensive versatility. His big-league debut didn't go well in 2024 -- he maintained a .249 wOBA and 58 wRC+ in 121 plate appearances -- but his ability to play second base and shortstop as well as some outfield should keep him in consideration for a significant role to begin the 2025 campaign.