MLB Player News

An MRI in December confirmed that McNeil is still dealing with a partial tear of the UCL in his left elbow, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The good news for the Mets is that the 31-year-old throws right-handed. McNeil missed the final weekend of last season after being diagnosed with the tear, but doctors have cleared him for full activities this spring. Although he's capable of playing the outfield, McNeil is expected to see the bulk of his starts in 2024 at second base.

Edwards might get squeezed off the Marlins' big-league roster to begin the season, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

The 24-year-old showed off his speed in his major-league debut last season, slashing .295/.329/.333 over 84 plate appearances and going 5-for-5 on steal attempts. Unfortunately for Edwards, the Marlins have Nick Gordon and Vidal Brujan in camp competing for a utility role as well, and while all three players have similar skill sets, the latter two are out of minor-league options. Unless Edwards significantly outplays one of them this spring, he may have to begin 2024 back at Triple-A Jacksonville.

India (foot) is expected to play three infield positions and possibly left field, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Cincinnati's primary second baseman in 2023, India will shift to a utility role, as manager David Bell plans to deploy a middle infield of Matt McLain at second and Elly De La Cruz at shortstop. To keep India's bat in the lineup, the infielder will get acclimated to playing first and third base, though left field is seen as his most unlikely landing spot. For now, India is building up endurance in the foot he injured last season and is expected to be ready for Cactus League play.

Arraez lost his arbitration hearing with the Marlins on Wednesday and will earn $10.6 million in salary for the 2024 season, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.

Coming off a 2023 season in which he won the National League batting crown with a .354 average, Arraez filed for $12 million, but an arbitrator ruled in favor of the Marlins. The $10.6 million salary still represents a $4.5 million pay increase from 2023 for Arraez, who is set to go through the arbitration process one more time next offseason before becoming a free agent following the 2025 campaign. Arraez will head into his second season as Miami's everyday second baseman, and while he once again projects to rank among the league leaders in batting average, his paucity of power and speed put a ceiling on his overall fantasy value.

Mauricio (knee) was placed on the 60-day injured list Wednesday, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

The 21-year-old underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee in early January, so his move to the 60-day IL was an eventuality. He's facing a projected 6-to-8-month recovery, so a return for September is likely the best-case scenario for Mauricio, and there's a real possibility he sits out the entirety of 2024.

India is going through a ramp-up progression after having a setback with the plantar fasciitis in his left foot this offseason, Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

India missed nearly two months of action during the second half of the 2023 season with the injury and it popped back up again over the winter, affecting his offseason workouts. The 27-year-old took batting practice and fielded ground balls Tuesday and the foot "feels fine and he feels no pain," Reds general manager Brad Meador said, adding that India just needs to build up endurance at this point. While it does seem as though he's currently trending in a positive direction, the nagging injury and uncertain playing time outlook for India creates a cloudy fantasy forecast.

Vargas is coming into Dodgers camp as a left fielder, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Vargas has been an infielder primarily but has played a little left field the previous two seasons. Whether this is a permanent position switch or just getting the 24-year-old more comfortable in the spot where he has the best shot to see action in 2024 is not clear. Vargas is likely headed to Triple-A Oklahoma City to begin this season either way, as Teoscar Hernandez is pegged as the Dodgers' regular left fielder.

India signed a two-year, $8.8 million contract with the Reds on Friday to avoid arbitration, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

He can earn an additional $2.05 million in 2025 in incentives. India had been arbitration-eligible for the first time and will have one additional year of control in 2026. The 27-year-old slashed .244/.338/.407 with 17 home runs and 14 stolen bases over 119 contests for Cincinnati in 2023. India has played only second base to this point in the majors but is expected to be used at multiple positions in 2024.

Bae is likely to begin the 2024 season as the Pirates' fourth outfielder, Jake Crouse of MLB.com reports.

Bae started 92 games for the Pirates in 2023, 56 of which came at second base and 33 in center field. His results were subpar, as he measured out as a well below average defender at second base while posting just a 66 wRC+ across 371 plate appearances. As a result, he's likely to begin the new campaign in a reserve outfield role, with Nick Gonzales, Liover Peguero and Jared Triolo vying for at-bats at second base.

Ortiz was traded from the Orioles to the Brewers along with DL Hall and the 34th pick in the 2024 MLB Draft in exchange for Corbin Burnes on Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

This should be a positive move for Ortiz, as he was stuck in a loaded Baltimore system that likely would have blocked him from a full-time role in the majors anytime soon. Now, he'll head to a team with some infield uncertainty -- particularly at third base -- and he could be the Opening Day starter at the hot corner with a decent showing in spring training. Ortiz's defensive value and contact skills are his carrying skills, though he isn't likely to offer much power.