Sweeney signed a contract Wednesday with the Kansas City Monarchs of the independent American Association.
Sweeney will stick around with the Monarchs for a second straight season after he slashed .262/.354/.484 with 19 home runs and 22 stolen bases across 444 plate appearances in 2021. The 31-year-old switch-hitting utility man previously appeared in 39 games in the majors with the Phillies and Blue Jays, but he's been out of affiliated ball since 2019. He'll likely first need to earn a minor-league contract and prove his worth at the Triple-A level before getting another look in the majors.
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Pirates' Darnell Sweeney: Lands with Pirates
Rotowire
Sweeney signed a minor-league contract with the Pirates on Saturday and was assigned to Triple-A Indianapolis.
Sweeney appeared in two games for the Blue Jays in 2018 but wasn't tendered a contract over the winter and attracted limited interest from clubs on the open market. After ultimately settling for an offer from the Kansas City T-Bones of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, Sweeney performed well enough to pop up on the Pirates' radar. The 28-year-old has primarily played the outfield during his professional career, but his experience at second base, third base and shortstop will make him a versatile bench piece for Indianapolis.
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Blue Jays' Darnell Sweeney: Outrighted to minors
Rotowire
The Blue Jays outrighted Sweeney to Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday.
As anticipated, Sweeney went unclaimed off waivers when he was designated for assignment last week and will remain in the Blue Jays' system as a depth outfielder in the minors. Sweeney has seen action in two games with the big club this season, marking his first appearances in the majors since the 2015 campaign.
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Blue Jays' Darnell Sweeney: DFA'd by Toronto
Rotowire
Sweeney was designated for assignment prior to Thursday's matchup against Seattle, Mike Wilner of Sportsnet 590 The Fan reports.
Sweeney went 0-for-2 with two walks in one game since being called up to the Blue Jays on Tuesday. He'll head to the waiver wire to make room for the additions of Ken Giles and Mike Hauschild.
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Blue Jays' Darnell Sweeney: Returns to Blue Jays
Rotowire
Sweeney was called up from Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday.
Sweeney was removed from the 40-man roster in early July after a brief stint in the majors, and now makes his return to the Blue Jays following the trades of John Axford and Aaron Loup. Sweeney should serve in a utility role for Toronto and is unlikely to garner consistent opportunities.
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Blue Jays' Darnell Sweeney: Outrighted to Triple-A
Rotowire
Sweeney was outrighted to Triple-A Buffalo on Friday, Mike Wilner of Sportsnet 590 The Fan reports.
Sweeney returned to the minors following Sunday's loss to the Tigers and is now off the 40-man roster to make room for Thomas Pannone's return from suspension. Sweeney has a .228/.309/.430 slash line with six home runs and 62 strikeouts in 158 at-bats with the Bisons this season.
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Blue Jays' Darnell Sweeney: Sent back to minors
Rotowire
Sweeney was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo following Sunday's 9-1 loss to the Tigers, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Sweeney was summoned from the bench as a defensive replacement late in the blowout loss Sunday, representing his first big-league action since 2015. The 27-year-old's potential return to Toronto will get a little easier after he was added to the 40-man roster Friday, but he's unlikely to be anything more than a lightly used bench bat the next time he receives a cup of coffee.
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Blue Jays' Darnell Sweeney: Contract selected by Blue Jays
Rotowire
Sweeney's contract was selected by the Blue Jays on Friday.
Sweeney hasn't appeared in the majors since an unimpressive 37-game stint for the Phillies back in 2015, when he hit just .176/.286/.353. The 27-year-old has hit a mediocre .232/.314/.439 in 47 games for Triple-A Buffalo this season, receiving starts at four different positions. He'll fill a utility role for the Blue Jays.
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Darnell Sweeney: Released by Reds
Rotowire
Sweeney was released by Cincinnati on Saturday, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.
Sweeney was in camp as a non-roster invitee but had previously been reassigned to the minors earlier this month. The 27-year-old will look to latch on with another organization after playing at the Triple-A level the past two seasons.
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Reds' Darnell Sweeney: Dealt to Reds
Rotowire
Sweeney was traded to the Reds on Sunday in exchange for future considerations, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.
The utility man hasn't seen any big-league action in the last two years after hitting just .176 across 85 at-bats with Philadelphia in 2015. Sweeney will likely report to Triple-A Louisville, where he'll be looking to improve upon the .227 average, 15 RBI and seven stolen bases he put up in 38 games with Triple-A Oklahoma City this season.
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Dodgers' Darnell Sweeney: Sent to minors
Rotowire
Sweeney was assigned to the minors Tuesday, The Orange County Register reports.
The 26-year-old was acquired by the Dodgers this past offseason, but he was never considered a candidate to make the Opening Day roster. The utility man performed well in camp, batting .297 with a pair of home runs in 21 Cactus League games. He will likely start the year with Triple-A Oklahoma City and could get a call to the majors if injuries strike the big-league club.
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Dodgers' Darnell Sweeney: Traded to Dodgers
Rotowire
Sweeney was traded to the Dodgers on Friday along with Darin Ruf in exchange for Howie Kendrick.
The 25-year-old will return to the Dodgers, with whom he spent most of his first four professional seasons after being drafted in the 13th round in 2012. Sweeney mostly struggled at the Triple-A level in 2016, batting .233/.299/.345 with a strikeout rate north of 22 percent. However, he can take a walk, has some power and speed and can play the middle infield positions as well as center field.
Sweeney was outrighted by the Phillies on Monday, Matt Breen of the Philly Inquirer reports.
Sweeney had a poor showing at Triple-A Lehigh Valley this season as he hit just .232/.299/.346 and had a 25 percent strikeout rate. He played 37 games with Philadelphia as well and went just 15-for-85 (.176) across said outings.
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Phillies' Darnell Sweeney: Struggling at Triple-A
Rotowire
Sweeney is hitting .231/.293/.358 with five home runs and nine stolen bases in 268 at-bats for Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Sweeney was acquired from the Dodgers last season as part of the trade that sent Chase Utley to Los Angeles. His struggles this season could put his 40-man roster spot in jeopardy this offseason. The Phillies could trade Andres Blanco this month which would open up a roster spot for a utility player, but Taylor Featherston might be the choice to replace Blanco if the veteran gets dealt.
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Phillies' Darnell Sweeney: Candidate for promotion
Rotowire
Sweeney is a candidate to be promoted from the minors if the Phillies don't start getting some production from their corner outfielders, Jeff Neiburg of CSN Philadelphia reports.
Cedric Hunter and Peter Bourjos have provided little offensively thus far. Sweeney is hitting .208 (5-for-24) with a double and two triples in eight games at Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Will Venable and David Lough are also candidates for a promotion if the Phillies decide to make a move.
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Phillies' Darnell Sweeney: Sent to minors
Rotowire
The Phillies optioned Sweeney to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Monday.
Sweeney had a shot to make the club given his ability to play both the infield and outfield, but his .558 spring OPS prevented him from making the cut. He should garner consideration for a promotion at some point this season, however.
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Phillies' Darnell Sweeney: Opportunity for increased playing time
Rotowire
Sweeney has a chance to earn more playing time with Aaron Altherr set to miss 4-to-6 months with a wrist injury, the PhillyVoice reports.
Sweeney played in 37 games with the Phillies last season after coming over from the Dodgers in the Chase Utley deal. He showed some pop in his limited time in the majors, but also struck out an unsightly 27.6% of the time. He's continued to struggle with the bat thus far this spring, having struck out six times in five games. He may need some additional time in the minors before the Phillies give him another opportunity.
