MLB Player News
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Nico Hoerner 2B | CHC
Cubs' Nico Hoerner: Opening Day status uncertain
Hoerner (elbow) has not resumed throwing or hitting, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Hoerner spoke at the Cubs' offseason fan event and disclosed that he dealt with the flexor tendon injury throughout the 2024 season. While the issue should be repaired heading into 2025, his status is unclear to begin the campaign. Hoerner will also have roughly 10 fewer days to recover because the Cubs will open the season in Japan on March 18 against the Dodgers before returning stateside to play at Arizona on March 27.
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Luisangel Acuna 2B | NYM
Mets' Luisangel Acuna: Will get look at third base
Acuna is expected to compete for the Mets' third-base job during spring training, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.
Assuming Pete Alonso moves on -- which is the expectation -- Mark Vientos will slide to first base, creating an opening at third. Acuna has never played the hot corner in pro ball, but he's a capable defender at shortstop and second base and the Mets evidently feel he can handle the switch. Slated to turn 23 in March, Acuna slashed .308/.325/.641 in 14 regular-season games for the Mets in 2024, although that was after he managed a .258/.299/.355 line at Triple-A Syracuse. The Mets would probably prefer to give him more seasoning at Syracuse, but Acuna will get a chance to compete with Brett Baty and Ronny Mauricio (knee) for reps at third base with the big club.
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Ronny Mauricio 2B | NYM
Mets' Ronny Mauricio: Spring status still uncertain
The Mets are not yet sure whether Mauricio (knee) will be ready for the start of spring training, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.
Mauricio began baseball activities in December as he works his way back from a second right knee surgery. While his rehab seems to be coming along OK, the Mets aren't sure how Mauricio's knee will respond as he continues to ramp things up, so they're taking things day by day with the young infielder. If healthy, he'll compete for the Mets' third base job. However, given his long layoff -- he last played in the Dominican Winter League more than a year ago -- Mauricio seems likely to begin the 2025 season in the minors even if he's not limited in spring training.
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Keston Hiura 2B | LAA
Rockies' Keston Hiura: Receives NRI from Colorado
The Rockies signed Hiura to a minor-league contract Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
Hiura, 28, went 4-for-27 during his brief time with the Angels last season and sported a .943 OPS with 26 homers at the Triple-A level in 2024. It's conceivable that the former top prospect wins an Opening Day roster spot, but Hiura will more likely begin the year at Triple-A Albuquerque.
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Luis Garcia 2B | WAS
Nationals' Luis Garcia: Agrees to deal with Nats
Garcia and the Nationals agreed to a one-year contract worth $4.5 million to avoid arbitration Thursday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.
Garcia enjoyed a breakout 2024 season, posting a career-best .162 ISO and 111 wRC+ across 528 plate appearances. He should play a key role in the middle of the Nationals lineup again in 2025 and will see a pay raise of roughly $2.6 million as compared to last season.
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Bryson Stott 2B | PHI
Phillies' Bryson Stott: Settles with Philadelphia
The Phillies and Stott avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.2 million contract Thursday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
Stott gets a nice raise in what was his first year of arbitration eligibility. He regressed to just a .671 OPS in 2024 but remained useful for fantasy managers with 11 home runs and 32 stolen bases.
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Luis Arraez 2B | SD
Padres' Luis Arraez: Settles at $14 million
Arraez and the Padres agreed to a one-year, $14 million contract Thursday to avoid arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
Arraez will receive a raise of nearly $3.5 million for his final year of arbitration eligibility in 2025. The 27-year-old took a step back in 2024 with a .314/.346/.392 slash line in 150 regular-season games between Miami and San Diego, though he still won the National League batting title for the second straight year. Arraez underwent surgery in October to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb, but he's expected to enter spring training at full health.
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Vidal Brujan 2B | CHC
Cubs' Vidal Brujan: Shipped to Chicago
The Cubs acquired Brujan from the Marlins on Sunday in exchange for first baseman Matt Mervis, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Miami had designated Brujan for assignment last week, but the 26-year-old utility man will regain a 40-man roster spot with the move to Chicago. Once viewed as one of the top prospects in the Tampa Bay system during his time in the minors, Brujan has slashed a woeful .189/.261/.270 (50 wRC+) across 550 plate appearances in the majors with the Rays and Marlins over the last four seasons. Though the change of scenery could help get his development back on track, Brujan profiles as a bench bat at this stage of his career, with most of his value coming from his ability to play all over the infield and outfield.
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Vidal Brujan 2B | CHC
Marlins' Vidal Brujan: DFA'd by Fish
The Marlins designated Brujan for assignment Friday, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.
Brujan played in a career-high 102 games last season, during which he slashed .222/.303/.319 with 16 RBI and five stolen bases. However, Miami signed Eric Wagaman to a one-year deal Friday, which will force Brujan to give up his spot on the 40-man roster. The 26-year-old's defensive versatility could draw interest from other teams on the waiver wire, though chances are he begins the season in Triple-A.