MLB Player News

Kessinger has a chance to win the final bench spot on Houston's big-league roster out of spring training, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Kessinger made his major-league debut in 2023, though he drew only 45 plate appearances. He's played every infield position as a pro except for catcher, a skill set that will be valuable for the Astros. Kessinger's fantasy appeal is far more limited, as he's unlikely to see regular at-bats without several significant injuries in Houston's lineup, and he offers little in the way of power or stolen base production.

Arias is expected to debut in the Florida Complex League in 2024, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Arias was signed as an amateur international free agent out of Venezuela early in 2023, then played in the Dominican Summer League. He batted .350/.440/.453 with one home run, nine doubles, one triple, 32 runs and 15 RBI over 159 plate appearances. Arias showed strong contact skills, striking out at just an 8.8 percent clip while drawing more walks (19) than strikeouts (14). The 18-year-old shortstop could fill out (he's listed at 5-foot-11, 170 pounds) and provide more pop, but right now, Arias is known for defense and contact.

Berti isn't expected to remain atop the Marlins' depth chart at shortstop as the club looks at available free-agent options, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Tim Anderson is the biggest name still on the market at shortstop, with Amed Rosario, Nick Ahmed and Adalberto Mondesi also said to be on Miami's radar. Berti saw a career-high 424 plate appearances last season, playing 64 games at short but also 41 at third base, 15 at second base and 19 between the corner outfield spots, and the Marlins still view him as a better fit in a utility role. If the team elects not to bring in a free agent, Jacob Amaya and Vidal Brujan could also get looks this spring as potential starting options at shortstop.

The Phillies claimed Castillo off waivers from the Yankees on Monday.

Castillo has now been in four organizations this offseason as he continues to bounce around via waivers. The utility player hasn't found his footing at the major-league level to this point but slashed .313/.431/.410 in 556 plate appearances with Arizona's Triple-A affiliate in Reno last season. He'll compete for a reserve role in Philadelphia.

Witt signed an 11-year, $288.78 million contract extension with the Royals on Monday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Witt will have the ability to opt out after the seventh, eighth, ninth and 10th years of the deal. The contract also contains a three-year, $89 million club option after the 11th season, potentially bringing the total value up to $377.78 million over the life of the deal, which would run through the 2037 campaign. The 23-year-old shortstop is coming off a breakthrough sophomore season in which he slashed .276/.319/.495 with 30 home runs and 49 stolen bases en route to a seventh-place finish in the American League MVP voting.

Padres manager Mike Shildt indicated last week that he could eventually discuss a possible position switch with Bogaerts, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Shildt said that Bogaerts is projected to play shortstop in 2024 "right now" but added that he will talk with the 31-year-old soon and indicated that an eventual move to the right side of the infield -- presumably second base -- would be discussed. Bogaerts actually graded out well defensively at shortstop for the second year in a row in 2023, but Ha-Seong Kim is viewed as the superior defender there and top shortstop prospect Jackson Merrill could be ready before long.

The Padres plan to play Merrill both at shortstop and in the outfield during spring training, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Merrill is a good defender at shortstop and might be the future at the position for the Padres. However, Xander Bogaerts is expected to play there in 2024 and the team is light on established options in the outfield, so Merrill may have a clearer path to reaching the big leagues if he can emerge as a viable defender in the outfield. Merrill already made five starts in left field in 2023 with Double-A San Antonio and has the athleticism to handle center field if the Padres want to go that route. There's no indication at this point that a long-term position switch is on the table for the top prospect, but it's something to monitor in spring training.

Soto was designated for assignment by the Angels on Saturday, Taylor Blake Ward of The Sporting Tribune reports.

Soto has managed a .946 OPS over 71 plate appearances at the major-league level, but a .670 OPS in the minors is closer to his real ability. The 23-year-old offers a solid glove at multiple infield positions, so it's possible he'll draw some interest on waivers.

Lux (knee) is a "full go" for spring training, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Lux missed all of last season after tearing the ACL and spraining the MCL in his right knee during a spring training game last year. Despite his extended absence, Lux is on track to begin the new campaign as the Dodgers' primary shortstop, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. The 26-year-old infielder slashed .276/.346/.399 with 42 RBI across 471 plate appearances in 2022.

Peguero is the favorite to start at second base for the Pirates entering spring training, Jake Crouse of MLB.com reports.

Peguero was promoted to the majors in mid-July and stuck with the team through the close of the 2023 season. He made 33 starts at second base and 39 at shortstop, though Oneil Cruz will be back to handle the latter position in 2024. Peguero will still have to battle with Jared Triolo and Nick Gonzales for playing time at the keystone, but he arguably has the highest long-term upside of the group. That could be enough to convince the Pirates to give him a long look to begin the season, even after he struck out at a 28.1 percent clip with a 64 wRC+ in his first significant taste of the majors.