MLB Player News

Mathias (shoulder) received medical clearance for all baseball-related workouts in late November and has been a full participant thus far during minor-league spring training, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Heading into 2021, the versatile Mathias was viewed as a candidate for an Opening Day utility role with the Brewers, but those plans were foiled when he injured his throwing shoulder in spring training. He ultimately underwent season-ending surgery May 5 and was outrighted off Milwaukee's 40-man roster in November, but now that he's healthy again, he should get the chance to compete for a job when big-league camp begins once the lockout concludes. The 27-year-old received his first taste of the majors in 2020, when he slashed .278/.278/.361 with four RBI and a stolen base across 36 plate appearances.

Lux could be in line for more playing time next season after commissioner Rob Manfred announced Thursday that the owners had agreed to a universal designated hitter, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Exactly who benefits most from the rule change on each National League team won't become fully clear until the lockout ends and the remaining free agents are signed, but Lux appears to be an obvious candidate for more at-bats. While he's a competent defender who's unlikely to spend much time at the spot himself, he's also the next man up at several positions around the diamond. Unless the Dodgers bring in a dedicated designated hitter once free agency resumes, their roster appears set up to rotate several veterans like Justin Turner, AJ Pollock and Max Muncy (elbow) through the position, with Lux covering for the resting player as needed or perhaps starting the majority of games at second base, freeing up Chris Taylor to bounce around the diamond.

Vivas was added to the Dodgers' 40-man roster Friday, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Vivas showed last season that he has one of the best hit tools in the lower levels of the minors, hitting .318/.422/.424 with 13 strikeouts and 13 walks as a 20-year-old at High-A. He is in a pretty crowded organization, but Vivas' stock is trending up.

Peguero's contract was selected by the Pirates on Friday.

Peguero performed well at High-A Greensboro in 2021 and slashed .269/.331/.443 with 14 homers, 67 runs, 45 RBI and 28 stolen bases across 90 games. He'll likely require at least one more season in the minors before he joins the conversation for the major-league roster, but he'll be shielded from the upcoming Rule 5 draft.

Mathias (shoulder) was outrighted to Triple-A Nashville on Friday.

Mathias missed all of last season due to a shoulder injury which eventually required surgery. His positional versatility could offer him a path back to the roster in a bench role next season, but he's a 27-year-old with just 16 major-league games under his belt and unexciting numbers in the upper minors, so it's no surprise to see him pass through waivers.

Stott has hit .320/.450/.493 with 20 walks against just 12 strikeouts through 21 games in the Arizona Fall League.

Stott is an interesting but fringy prospect, as he might not have quite a good enough glove to stick at shortstop and may not have quite a good enough bat to profile as an everyday player elsewhere. There's a chance he's good enough on both sides of the ball, however, which could give the Phillies a capable everyday shortstop for years to come. His fall numbers cap a strong season for the 24-year-old, who hit .299/.390/.486 with 16 homers and 10 steals across the three highest levels of the minors. Just 10 of those games came at Triple-A, so he may be a long shot to crack the Opening Day roster, but if the Phillies don't acquire anyone better than Didi Gregorius at shortstop this winter, it could be a sign that they expect Stott to take over sooner rather than later.

Gorman has missed the last two weeks of Arizona Fall League play due to hamstring tightness, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

The injury is unfortunate, as Gorman was one of the league's best players through six games, slashing .375/.565/.625 with one home run and a 2:7 K:BB. Regardless of whether he is able to return to AFL play before the league wraps up this month, Gorman is a candidate to make his big-league debut early in the 2022 season.

Lux isn't starting Game 6 of the NLCS against Atlanta on Saturday.

Lux will remain out of the lineup for a second straight contest but should be available off the bench. Cody Bellinger will start in center field while Matt Beaty takes over at first base.

Lux isn't starting Game 5 of the NLCS against Atlanta on Thursday, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Lux went 1-for-9 with a stolen base, two walks and a strikeout across the first four games of the NLCS. Cody Bellinger will shift to center field while Albert Pujols starts at first base.

Drury was outrighted to Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday.

Drury was designated for assignment Saturday and cleared waivers. No longer on the 40-man roster, it's unclear whether Drury has a future within the Mets organization.