MLB Player News

The Astros non-tendered Carter on Wednesday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Carter blasted 24 home runs last year and 90 in all with the Astros over the last three seasons, but he also struck out in bunches and hit just .199 last season, so the Astros decided not to offer him a contract for 2016. Carter is now a free agent and will hook on with a team that is intrigued by his power.

Wilkins was claimed off waivers by the Mariners on Wednesday.

Wilkins was claimed off waivers by the Orioles back in September, but he was DFA'd last week and will land with the Mariners organization, likely providing infield depth in 2016. The 27-year-old spent last season at Triple-A for the Dodgers and Blue Jays organizations, hitting a combined .251/.315/.447 with 79 RBI in 126 games.

Wilkins was designated for assignment Wednesday.

Wilkins, who was claimed off waivers by the Orioles in the beginning of September, was DFA'd after the team acquired outfielder L.J. Hoes from the Astros on Wednesday. The 27-year-old first baseman did hit 18 home runs and 70 RBI with the Dodgers Triple-A affiliate at Oklahoma City, but he wasn't expected to provide much more than organizational depth in the coming years.

Bell was added to the 40-man roster Friday.

Bell had a very impressive campaign once being promoted to Triple-A in 2015, slashing .347/.441/.504 in 35 games. The 23-year-old could make the big league roster at some point in 2016, but the move also ensures he'll be protected from the Rule 5 draft.

Smith suffered a strained oblique muscle in the Arizona Fall League, Adam Rubin of ESPN New York reports.

One of the club's top prospects, Smith had an impressive season with High-A St. Lucie in 2015, slashing .305/.354/.417 with six homers and 79 RBI in 118 games. The oblique injury shouldn't effect his availability for the spring, but it could end his AFL stint early.

Calhoun became arbitration-eligible by the margin of one day, the Orange County Register reports.

Calhoun will be eligible for arbitration this year, meaning he'll earn millions more than the $600,000 minimum salary he would have otherwise been paid this season, plus he'll get a fourth year of arbitration instead of three.

Joseph was outrighted off the 40-man roster Monday.

Joseph struggled mightily at Triple-A this season, hitting just .193 in 45 games while missing three months with a concussion. The catcher-turned-first baseman hit just .209 in his only other Triple-A stint in 2013, but could get the chance to begin his 2016 campaign at the minors' highest level once again.

Marlins infielder Donovan Solano was outrighted to Triple-A New Orleans on Monday, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.

The move was procedural in order to open up a spot on the 40-man roster. No matter, Solano spent time between New Orleans and the Marlins in 2015, garnering just 90 at-bats in 55 games with the big club.

Mets infielder Wilmer Flores (illness) is in the lineup for Monday's Game 3 of the NLDS against the Dodgers, Jared Diamond of the Wall Street Journal reports.

Flores had been dealing with strep throat and back stiffness to end the regular season, but was able to enter late in Game 2. With Ruben Tejada out for the remainder of the postseason, Flores figures to take over the starting job at shortstop the rest of the way.

Colabello is in the lineup for Friday's ALDS matchup with the Rangers, Sportsnet's Shi Davidi reports.

After being limited to bench duty in Game 1, Colabello will take Justin Smoak's spot in the lineup for Game with southpaw Cole Hamels getting the start for the Rangers. He will hit sixth in the Blue Jays' batting order.