MLB Player News

  • Tigers' Justyn-Henry Malloy: Trying out first base

    The Tigers have asked Malloy to get work at first base during the spring, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

    Malloy played strictly in the outfield during the 2024 campaign, but Detroit has its sights set on increasing flexibility throughout the roster heading into 2025. Colt Keith will also see time at first base during the spring, which would increase the number of infield combinations available for the club if this idea pans out.

  • Colt Keith 3B | DET

    Tigers' Colt Keith: Getting work at first base

    Detroit has asked Keith to take grounders at first base this spring, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

    This doesn't necessarily mean that Keith will see time during the 2025 campaign at first base, but if he fares well enough at first during the spring, it would give the Tigers more infield flexibility. Justyn-Henry Malloy was also asked to try his hand at first base, so the general focus around the organization appears to be increasing the number of potential infield combinations.

  • Brett Baty 3B | NYM

    Mets' Brett Baty: Could be used in utility role

    Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said Monday that Baty could be used in a utility role next season, Abbey Mastracco of the New York Daily News reports.

    Baty was used some at second base in the minors last season and Stearns has previously mentioned the outfield as a possibility for the 25-year-old, so the hints at a potential utility role had been there. Of course, Baty's name has also been brought up in trade rumors and his most likely role for the Mets at this point might be as a trade chip.

  • Royals' Maikel Garcia: Expected to be ready for spring

    Garcia (elbow) is expected to be ready for the start of spring training, MLB.com reports.

    Garcia reported soreness in his right elbow while playing catch recently and an MRI revealed bone chips, which he had surgically removed Thursday. The Royals are calling the procedure "minor" and do not expect the infielder's availability for the beginning of spring training to be impacted. Garcia slashed .231/.281/.332 with seven home runs and 37 stolen bases for Kansas City during the 2024 regular season.

  • Royals' Maikel Garcia: Undergoes elbow surgery

    Garcia underwent surgery to remove bone spurs from his right elbow Thursday, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.

    Garcia didn't spend any time on the injured list in 2024 and was available throughout the postseason, leaving it unclear when he suffered the injury. The Royals haven't commented as to whether Garcia's recovery will cost him any time during spring training or even regular season contests.

  • Nick Maton 3B | BAL

    White Sox's Nick Maton: Latches on with ChiSox as NRI

    The White Sox signed Maton to a minor-league contract Tuesday that includes and invitation to spring training, Aram Leighton of Just Baseball reports.

    Maton, who turns 28 in February, got a cup of coffee with the Orioles in 2024 but spent the majority of the year at Triple-A Norfolk, where he put up an .834 OPS with 16 homers. He can play everywhere other than catcher and will compete for a utility role with the White Sox.

  • Jason Vosler 3B | SEA

    Jason Vosler: Signs with Japanese team

    The Chunichi Dragons of Nippon Professional Baseball signed Vosler on Nov. 28, Yahoo Japan reports.

    Vosler, 31, spent most of the 2024 season at Triple-A Tacoma in the Mariners organization, slashing .303/.371/.573 with 31 home runs. He has hit .207/.274/.395in limited playing time across parts of four major-league seasons.

  • Nolan Arenado 3B | STL

    Cardinals' Nolan Arenado: Willing to play first base

    Arenado is willing to play some first base in order to create roster flexibility for the team acquiring him in a potential trade, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

    A large part of Arenado's value comes from his defense at third base, so it's not clear how many clubs would be looking to shift him to the other side of the diamond even on a part-time basis. Still, some flexibility can't hurt, and the fact he's even willing to entertain the possibility also seems to speak to Arenado's eagerness to waive his no-trade clause. Woo notes that a few teams have expressed interest in Arenado, but those talks "have yet to yield any substantive progress." However, negotiations are expected to pick up around the winter meetings and there is a "growing sense" in the industry that Arenado will be dealt.

  • Rafael Devers 3B | BOS

    Red Sox's Rafael Devers: Position switch being discussed

    The Red Sox have had internal discussions about moving Devers off third base, Sean McAdam of MassLive.com reports.

    Devers battled through lingering issues with both shoulders during the 2024 season and again graded out poorly defensively at third base with a minus-six Outs Above Average rating. If the Red Sox do ultimately decide to shift him away from the hot corner, they would likely have both Devers and Triston Casas bounce back-and-forth between first base and designated hitter. Third base would then be filled by a free agent or trade acquisition, with Boston being connected to Alex Bregman, Willy Adames and Nolan Arenado. Finding a taker for Masataka Yoshida's contract is also part of the equation.

  • Kyle Farmer 3B | COL

    Rockies' Kyle Farmer: Headed to Colorado

    Farmer agreed to a one-year contract with the Rockies on Friday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

    Farmer's mutual option for 2025 was declined by the Twins on Oct. 31, causing the 34-year-old shortstop to enter free agency after spending the last two seasons in Minnesota. He mostly served in a reserve role in 2024 behind Carlos Correa, and across 242 plate appearances in 107 regular-season games, Farmer slashed .214/.293/.353 with five home runs and 25 RBI. Farmer will likely serve a similar role in Colorado behind the 23-year-old Ezequiel Tovar.

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