MLB Player News

Grissom is the "nominal favorite" to open next season as the Red Sox' starting second baseman, Sean McAdam of MassLive.com reports.

David Hamilton was Boston's primary second baseman in the second half in 2024 before a fractured finger ended his season in late August. While Hamilton will also be in the running for the starting gig at the keystone in 2025, it sounds like the Red Sox want to give Grissom another look. Grissom slashed only .190/.246/.219 over 31 games with the big club in 2024 while battling numerous injuries, but he closed out the year strong at Triple-A Worcester and will turn just 24 this month. While Grissom might have a slight leg up at second base right now, it's also possible the Red Sox acquire help from outside the organization.

Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said earlier this week that the plan is to keep Rafaela in center field next season "as much as possible," Sean McAdam of MassLive.com reports.

Rafaela made 72 starts in center field, 71 starts at shortstop and four starts at second base in 2024. Center field is his best defensive position, and he will no longer be needed at shortstop, provided the Red Sox get a healthy season out of Trevor Story. The Red Sox have an opening at second base, but the club wants Rafaela to focus on one position, believing his production could have been affected in 2024 because he was bouncing around to different spots. There could be a potential outfield playing time crunch on the horizon, however, with Jarren Duran and Wilyer Abreu on the roster and top prospect Roman Anthony nearly big-league ready. Rafaela might see fewer starts at that point, or Boston could reconsider using him in the infield.

The Guardians signed Frias on Thursday to a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to spring training.

Frias, 26, battled a shoulder problem in 2024 and struggled during his 9.2 major-league innings, yielding 16 runs (15 earned) with a 12:7 K:BB. He's collected a 28.4 percent strikeout rate at the Triple-A level, so the Guardians felt Frias was worth a shot on a no-risk, minor-league pact.

The White Sox agreed to terms with Rojas on a one-year contract Thursday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

It's a good landing spot for playing time for Rojas, who should see close to everyday at-bats in Chicago between second base, third base and shortstop. The 30-year-old slashed just .225/.304/.336 with eight home runs and 10 stolen bases across 474 plate appearances for Seattle in 2024. If Rojas bounces back offensively in 2025, he's a likely trade candidate at the deadline.

The White Sox designated Shewmake for assignment Wednesday, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.

The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Tyler Gilbert, who was acquired via trade. Shewmake is just 8-for-64 at the plate during his brief time at the major-league level. The 27-year-old can play a capable shortstop and has minor-league options remaining, so it's possible he'll draw interest via trade or waivers.

The White Sox acquired Gilbert from the Phillies on Wednesday in exchange for Aaron Combs.

Gilbert had been designated for assignment but will now join a new 40-man roster. The left-hander holds a career 4.23 ERA and 68:30 K:BB over 100 innings covering parts of four major-league seasons. Gilbert has experience as a starter and reliever and it's not clear what role the White Sox have planned for him.

LeMahieu could be the current favorite to start at third base for the Yankees, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Sherman said Monday on the Pinstripe Post podcast that he believes the Yankees are "going to try to take another look at LeMahieu" and that LeMahieu's likeliest position is third base. Jazz Chisholm ended the 2024 season at the hot corner for the Yanks, but the club seems to prefer him at second base. It could all be a moot point if the team winds up acquiring a player at either of those positions, but for now, LeMahieu looks to be in line to handle the hot corner. The 36-year-old had just a .527 OPS over 67 games during an injury-shortened 2024 campaign.

The Guardians signed Anchia to a minor-league contract Tuesday that includes an invitation to spring training.

Anchia's agent, Gavin Kahn, broke the news. The 27-year-old catcher spent the 2024 season at Double-A Arkansas in the Mariners organization, slashing just .210/.246/.358 with nine home runs over 85 games. Anchia has yet to reach the major-league level and is unlikely to do so in 2025.

The Rangers signed Buchanan to a minor-league contract Tuesday that includes an invitation to spring training, The Dallas Morning News reports.

Buchanan got into one game with the Reds in 2024, which was his first appearance at the major-league level since 2015. The 35-year-old will give the Rangers some organizational rotation depth.

The Orioles signed Gordon to a minor-league contract Tuesday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Gordon, 29, slashed only .227/.258/.369 over 95 games in 2024 during his lone season with the Marlins and missed most of 2023 due to injury. He did show some promise in 2022 and offers positional versatility, so he could turn out to be a useful addition on a no-risk, minor-league pact.