MLB Player News

General manager Rick Hahn said Wednesday that Vaughn is "very much in the mix" to make the Opening Day roster, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Vaughn is one of the organization's top prospects, and he was invited to major-league spring training ahead of the 2021 season. The 22-year-old has appeared in just 55 minor-league games, slashing .278/.384/.449 with six home runs and 36 RBI. Hahn has said he's a viable option at designated hitter in 2021 and there wouldn't have been much doubt regarding Vaughn's major-league readiness if there had been a minor-league season in 2020, offering optimism he could make the club to begin the 2021 campaign.

Diaz reportedly worked on his agility this offseason after experiencing a power drain and struggling some with his defense in 2020, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The 29-year-old's .307 average and .428 on-base percentage were essentially above reproach, but his anemic .386 slugging percentage was largely the byproduct of Diaz lacing just five extra-base hits (three doubles, two home runs) across 138 plate appearances. A hamstring injury also plagued Diaz throughout all of September, and he was limited to just one start at third base when he returned for the postseason because of concerns about his range. The fruits of Diaz's offseason labor will have a chance to reveal themselves during spring training, when his primary spot in the infield should be determined.

Vaughn received an invitation to major-league camp Thursday.

Vaughn is still just 22 years old and has a mere 55 professional games under his belt, but he's an advanced hitter whose big-league debut may not be far off. Under ordinary circumstances, he probably would have spent last year in the upper minors and could have even pushed for a call-up with some strong performances, but the canceled minor-league season robbed him of that opportunity. While he may not be given serious consideration for an Opening Day spot, he could be with the team fairly early in the season if he looks good in camp and in the minors.

Casas received an invitation to Boston's major-league spring training Tuesday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

The 21-year-old joined the Red Sox's 60-player pool in mid-August and spent the rest of the season at the alternate training site, so he was still able to put in some developmental work in 2020. Casas spent most of 2019 at Low-A before making a late-season jump to High-A, so he likely has some work to do before reaching the majors.

Torkelson was invited to Detroit's major-league spring training camp Saturday.

The top pick in the 2020 draft is both very talented and very advanced, though he probably won't be given serious consideration for an Opening Day roster spot, as the canceled minor-league season last year robbed him of the chance to make his professional debut. While his defensive home remains uncertain, his bat is strong enough that he could debut as soon as this summer, despite his inexperience.

Voit (foot) is running the bases at the Yankees' spring training facility in Florida, Brendan Kuty of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

The 29-year-old dealt with plantar fasciitis throughout the 2020 campaign but appears on track for spring training. Voit should continue ramping things up at the informal workouts before the official start of camp in a few weeks.

Shaw cleared waivers Monday and was outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Shaw spent last season in the Giants' player pool but never made the active roster. He was claimed off waivers by the Orioles in November but went unclaimed this time around, hardly a surprise given that he's a 27-year-old left fielder with a career .153/.244/.222 line in 82 plate appearances at the highest level.

Shaw was designated for assignment by the Orioles on Tuesday, Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com reports.

The 26-year-old was claimed off waivers by Baltimore in late November, but he was cleared from the 40-man roster Tuesday to clear space for the signing of Freddy Galvis. Shaw figures to be outrighted to Triple-A if he goes unclaimed on waivers this time around.

Voit (foot) and the Yankees reached a one-year, $4.7 million deal Friday, avoiding arbitration, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

Voit dealt with plantar fasciitis at the end of the 2020 campaign, but he's expected to be healthy by spring training after receiving a platelet-rich plasma injection in his foot in November. He won't require arbitration during the offseason after reaching a one-year deal with the club Friday.

Lowe was traded from the Rays to the Rangers on Thursday in exchange for outfielder Heriberto Hernandez and other prospects, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Lowe spent the final month of the regular season in the majors, slashing .224/.316/.433 with four home runs and 11 RBI over 21 games. However, he was left off the Rays' roster for the entirety of the postseason. The 25-year-old should have the chance to serve as the Rangers' starting first baseman heading into 2021, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.