MLB Player News

Forsythe signed with the Phillies as a non-roster invitee Sunday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Now 33 years old, Forsythe doesn't seem to be a particularly strong candidate to break camp with the team. He's recorded a below-average batting line in three straight seasons and hit just .227/.325/.353 in 101 games for the Rangers last season while striking out a career-high 27.2 percent of the time. He'll be competing with Josh Harrison and Neil Walker for a bench spot.

Gorman will join the Cardinals' big-league camp this spring.

A first-round pick in 2018, Gorman is likely still at least a year away from contending for big-league at-bats. He reached High-A last season, hitting .256/.304/.428 in 58 games for Palm Beach.

Joseph joined the Cubs as a non-roster invitee Friday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Joseph suited up for three big-league teams last season (Oakland, San Francisco and Pittsburgh) but played a total of just 28 games. In 68 plate appearances, he hit .156/.191/.250. The Cubs likely view him simply as organizational depth.

The Diamondbacks could have Ketel Marte (back) primarily play second base after the team acquired center fielder Sterling Marte from the Pirates, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Ketel Marte, who shuttled between second base and center field in 2019, appeared in a career-high 92 games in the outfield before sustaining a back injury late in the season. The Diamondbacks believe the extra activity involved in being a center fielder contributed to the injury, so the acquisition of Sterling Marte gives manager Torey Lovullo the flexibility to have Ketel Marte play a less stressful position.

Urias is expected to be sidelined about eight weeks after undergoing surgery on his left wrist Tuesday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

The 22-year-old sustained a fractured hamate bone toward the end of the winter season in Mexico and is now in danger of missing Opening Day. An eight-week recovery would have Urias returning to the field in late March, leaving him questionable for the March 26 opener versus the Cubs. Urias was set to compete for the starting job at shortstop in spring training after being acquired from the Padres in November, but Orlando Arcia now figures to enter the season as the likely starter.

Peguero was traded from the Diamondbacks to the Pirates on Monday as part of a package for outfielder Starling Marte, freelance baseball writer Robert Murray reports.

Peguero was effective at the rookie level last season, hitting .326/.382/.485 with five home runs and 11 stolen bases over 60 games. After spending the past two seasons at the rookie level, it wouldn't be surprising to see him advance in 2020 as he begins his run within the Pirates' organization.

McNeil (wrist) said Saturday that his injury is fully healed, Justin Toscano of The Bergen Record reports.

McNeil underwent surgery at the beginning of October, and his rehab went according to plan. The 27-year-old figures to spend a good portion of his time at third base this season, but his defensive versatility props up his fantasy value and should give him more chances to play heading into 2020.

Urias is being evaluated for a wrist injury sustained at the end of the winter season in Mexico, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Urias developed soreness at the end of the winter season, and he'll return to the United States in order to have the injury evaluated, although the exact nature and severity of the injury are unclear. The 22-year-old was traded from the Padres to the Brewers in November and figures to be the team's shortstop on Opening Day if he is healthy.

Solarte signed a minor-league contract with the Braves on Wednesday as a non-roster invitee, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Solarte finished the 2019 season in Japan after only receiving a minor-league deal with the Marlins. The 32-year-old spent some time in the majors with the Giants at the beginning of the season, hitting .205/.247/.315 with seven RBI over 28 games prior to electing free agency. While Solarte has appeared in the majors in each of his past six seasons, his production has decreased in recent years.

Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen said Marte (back) may be the everyday center fielder in 2020, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Hazen has actively pursued a center fielder during the offseason without success. "I would imagine that would put Ketel a little bit more squarely in center field, but we still have a ways to go and we still have some opportunities to explore," Hazen said. "But I would say we're probably moving more in that direction by the day." The Diamondbacks will proceed cautiously with Marte, who had a breakout 2019 season but suffered a stress reaction in his back. One theory is that Marte, an infielder by trade, sustained the injury partially due to the extra running involved in playing center field. That, coupled with increased baserunning opportunities -- Marte had a career-high .389 on-base percentage -- are seen as contributing factors. Marte played 96 games in center field last season, and Hazen added the organization has not established a threshold of a number of games it would be comfortable with him playing there this coming season.