MLB Player News

Brewers president of baseball operations David Stearns confirmed Friday that Hiura will be the team's starting first baseman for 2021, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

The team officially announced the signing of Kolten Wong on Friday, so it's not much of a surprise to see Stearns also provide the plans for Hiura's shift away from second base. The 24-year-old's defense at the keystone has always been a concern, especially his throwing ability, and the addition of Wong -- a two-time Gold Glove winner -- brings a significant defensive upgrade to the middle infield for Milwaukee. Hiura had a .938 OPS as a rookie in 2019, but he struggled during 2020 with 34.6 percent strikeout rate and a .707 OPS. He should have every opportunity to get back on track in 2021.

Wade was traded to the Giants on Thursday in exchange for Shaun Anderson, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Wade has filled a depth role in the outfield for Minnesota since making his major-league debut in 2019. He's accrued only 113 major-league plate appearances across two seasons and hit .211/.336/.347. He will give the Giants another left-handed bat in their outfield and projects to continue to serve as a fourth or fifth outfielder for the club.

Hiura will likely serve as the Brewers' primary first baseman in 2021, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Hiura slotted in at second base over most of the past two seasons with the Brewers, but he's expected to shift to first base after the team signed Kolten Wong on Wednesday. Despite his position change, Hiura should maintain a regular spot in Milwaukee's lineup as he attempts to build on his 2020 campaign in which he hit .212/.297/.410 with 13 home runs and 32 RBI. Daniel Vogelbach will likely shift to a reserve role unless the designated hitter is utilized in the National League again in 2021.

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.

Montero and several other prospects have been traded from the Cardinals to the Rockies in exchange for Nolan Arenado, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

Montero has yet to make his big-league debut, spending the majority of the 2019 campaign at Double-A, where he struggled to a .188.235/.317 slash line with seven homers and 18 RBI (59 games). He figures to have a good chance to begin the 2021 season at Triple-A Albuquerque.

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.

Hoskins (elbow) avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $4.8 million deal with the Phillies on Friday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Hoskins bounced back from an unimpressive 2019 season with a strong season at the plate in 2020, hitting .245/.384/.503 with 10 homers in 41 games. His season was cut short by an elbow injury which eventually required Tommy John surgery, placing his readiness for Opening Day in some doubt.

Bell signed a one-year, $6.35 million deal with the Nationals on Friday to avoid arbitration, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

The 28-year-old was acquired by Washington from Pittsburgh on Christmas Eve and will avoid arbitration with his new team. Bell struggled in 2020 with a .669 OPS and career-worst 26.5 percent strikeout rate, but he should have every chance to rebound as the clear starter at first base.