MLB Player News

Williams signed a minor-league deal with the Dodgers on Friday.

Williams was claimed off waivers by the Dodgers back in November and will remain in the Los Angeles system. The 26-year-old utility man recorded a .883 OPS through 58 plate appearances in Triple-A last year but just a .602 mark in 136 PAs split between the Giants and Marlins.

Owings signed a minor-league contract Thursday with the Pirates that includes an invitation to major-league spring training.

Owings struggled to a .107/.254/.143 batting line in 26 games (68 plate appearances) last season with the Orioles before getting released in June. He then latched on with the Triple-A affiliate of the Yankees and slashed .235/.303/.412 across 208 plate appearances in the International League. The 31-year-old can serve as organizational infield depth for Pittsburgh leading into the 2023 campaign.

Ahmed (shoulder) is expected to be ready for the start of spring training, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Ahmed told Piecoro he's been swinging "full go" for about a month, and that he's making progress in his throwing program. The shortstop missed the second half of the 2022 season after undergoing season-ending surgery in June to fix a labrum tear and two bone spurs in his right shoulder. Assuming good health, he'll likely open the 2023 season as the Diamondbacks' starting shortstop, but his lack of offensive upside severely limits his potential fantasy output.

The Red Sox acquired Mondesi (knee) along with a player to be named later from the Royals on Tuesday in exchange for Josh Taylor, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom said Enrique Hernandez remains the likely starter at shortstop, per Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican, and Mondesi should be in the mix for playing time at both shortstop and second base. However, Mondesi isn't fully recovered from the ACL surgery he underwent last May and isn't guaranteed to be ready for Opening Day, according to Ian Browne of MLB.com. Injuries have obviously been the 27-year-old's big bugaboo, but this looks like a small price to pay for the Red Sox for a player with some upside. Mondesi will make $3.05 million in 2023 and is slated to hit free agency next winter.

Story (elbow) believes he will be able to play in 2023, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Story underwent an internal bracing procedure on the UCL in his right elbow in the middle of January. The infielder is expected to miss at least 4-6 months while he recovers from the procedure, but that timeline does give him an opportunity to return at some point this summer. While Story is out, it appears that Enrique Hernandez will see the majority of his playing time at shortstop, but the Red Sox have made it known they are looking for additional help in the middle of their infield.

Camargo signed a minor-league deal with the Royals on Saturday.

Camargo struggled to a .237/.297/.316 slash line in 52 games for the Phillies last season, though his 74 wRC+ represented his best mark since 2018. His defensive versatility theoretically makes him a good fit for a bench spot, but he might wind up stuck in the minors waiting for an opportunity.

Wendle will remain at the top of the depth chart at shortstop for the Marlins despite the acquisition of Luis Arraez from the Twins on Thursday, as Jazz Chisholm will shift to center field, Craig Mish of SportsGrid.com reports.

Following a spate of recent moves, Miami's infield now figures to feature Jean Segura at third base, Wendle at shortstop and Arraez at second base. The team does have other infield options however, such as Garrett Hampson, Jon Berti and Jordan Groshans, so the Marlins could look to trade Wendle as well after he had a .259/.297/.360 slash line with three home runs, 32 RBI and 12 steals in 101 games last season.

The Marlins traded Salas alongside Pablo Lopez to the Twins on Friday in exchange for Luis Arraez, Craig Mish of SportsGrid.com reports.

Salas reached the High-A level for the first time in 2022, though he slashed just .230/.319/.340 in 217 plate appearances. The 19-year-old switch-hitter was considered one of the top prospects in the Marlins' farm system, and Salas' defensive versatility could help him rise through the Twins' minor-league system more quickly than expected.

Edman agreed to a one-year, $4.2 million contract with the Cardinals on Friday to avoid arbitration, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

It's the first year of arbitration eligiblity for Edman, who had a .265/.324/.400 slash line with 13 home runs, 57 RBI, 95 runs and 32 stolen bases last season. The 27-year-old switch hitter is expected to begin 2023 as St. Louis' starting shortstop.

Mateo signed a one-year, $2 million deal with the Orioles on Friday to avoid arbitration, Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Mateo's glove established him as Baltimore's everyday shortstop last year, but his poor .221/.267/.379 slash line makes him vulnerable to losing his spot to top prospect Gunnar Henderson. Mateo has experience playing all over the field, so he'll more than likely transition into a utility role, an assignment that might allow him to maintain the fantasy value provided by his 35 steals in 2022.