MLB Player News

Castillo was designated for assignment by the Mets on Friday, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Castillo was just claimed off waivers from Arizona a week ago but will make way for Sean Manaea, whose two-year deal with the Mets is now official. While Castillo has mostly struggled at the highest level, he had a .431 OBP at Triple-A last season, so a team with an opening on its 40-man roster may give him a shot.

Lux (knee) agreed to a one-year, $1.225 million deal with the Dodgers on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

He missed the entire 2023 season after undergoing knee surgery in spring training, but Lux has a chance to be the Dodgers' starting shortstop, at least against righties. It's also possible the team could still acquire an external upgrade, but as things stand, he could platoon with Miguel Rojas. Lux slashed .276/.346/.399 with six home runs and seven steals in 129 games in 2022.

The Brewers and Adames avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $12.25 million contract Thursday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

It's a sizable raise for the shortstop in what was his final year of arbitration eligibility before he enters free agency next winter. Adames batted only .217 for the Brewers in 2023 but socked 24 home runs, giving him 75 over 387 games during his time in Milwaukee.

McLain said he's "full-go" and has gotten up to 100 swings at this point during the offseason, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

McLain's 2023 season ended prematurely due to an oblique injury in late August. The middle infielder said he's working on adjustments that he plans to continue during spring training. Specifically, McLain wants to be better at making contact on fastballs up in the zone. "Some of those four-seam guys who really ride the ball, I feel like if I can really take care of that fastball at the top of the zone, I can hit them at all the other places around the zone," McLain said. He started 52 games at shortstop and 33 at second base and has been working at both positions in preparation for spring training.

Franco is facing a lesser charge after a judge in the Dominican Republic analyzed evidence that he had an alleged relationship with a 14-year-old girl and paid her mother for her consent, the Associated Press reports.

Franco had been accused of commercial and sexual exploitation and money laundering but now is accused of sexual and psychological abuse. While the new charge is considered a lesser offense, Franco would still face between two and five years in prison if found guilty. The 22-year-old has been conditionally released from jail but is required to return once a month to appear before authorities. Franco is not expected to be allowed back into the United States anytime soon, and his future in Major League Baseball is very much in question.

Franco is likely to be barred from entering the United States while facing charges of commercial sexual exploitation and money laundering in the Dominican Republic, two immigration attorneys told Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

Franco was released from custody in the D.R. and is free to leave the country, but he must return once a month to appear before authorities while the legal process plays out. However, the U.S. government has the ability to revoke Franco's visa on the grounds he could be considered a threat to public safety. Even if that doesn't happen, the chances that Franco would attempt to travel to the U.S. are "minimal," attorney Javad Khazaeli told Rosenthal. Franco, 22, is being investigated in the Dominican Republic over allegations he had a relationship with a 14-year-old girl and gave her mother 100,000 Dominican pesos per month to maintain a "dating relationship," per court documents obtained by The Athletic. A conviction would be an aggravated felony under U.S. immigration law, resulting in a permanent ban from the United States.

Smith agreed to a minor-league contract with the Yankees on Monday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Smith was non-tendered by the Athletics earlier this offseason even though he's still a couple years away from arbitration eligibility. The 27-year-old has put up some solid numbers in the minors during his career but has managed just a .516 OPS and a 31.2 percent strikeout rate over 114 games at the major-league level. Smith can play all over the infield and also the corner outfield spots in a pinch.

Pirates manager Derek Shelton confirmed Saturday that Cruz is fully recovered from left ankle surgery, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Shelton was asked about Cruz during the team's PiratesFest fan event and said the shortstop is "healthy" and "moving around." The 25-year-old wasn't able to make it back before the end of the season after undergoing surgery in early April to repair a fractured left fibula. Cruz did play in some instructional league games in the Dominican Republic, though, and should head into spring training without any restrictions. With a full season of health, Cruz represents a tantalizing fantasy talent.

The Mets claimed Castillo off waivers from Arizona on Friday, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Castillo was designated for assignment in December after Lourdes Gurriel re-signed with the D-backs, and Castillo will now move across the country to join New York. The 26-year-old made just one plate appearance in the majors last year while slashing .313/.431/.410 with 72 RBI in Triple-A. He'll likely begin the year at Triple-A Syracuse.

Franco has been charged with commercial sexual exploitation and money laundering in the Dominican Republic, Juan Arturo Recio of ESPN Deportes reports.

Franco was initially arrested Monday for failing to appear at a summons last week, and now these new charges have officially been revealed. According to Recio, Franco will be under house arrest and prohibited from leaving the country. The 22-year-old will be presented before a judge for the first time Friday.