MLB Player News

Lux received an invitation to Dodgers' major-league spring training, Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Lux took a huge step forward at the plate last season as he slashed .324/.399/.514 in 116 games between High-A Rancho Cucamonga and Double-A Tulsa. The Dodgers' top prospect is unlikely to make the jump from Double-A to be a major-league contributor in 2019, but a good showing at Triple-A Oklahoma City could have the 21-year-old seeing the big leagues in the not-too-distant future.

Adames signed a minor-league contract with the Cubs on Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training.

Adames spent all of 2018 at the Triple-A level in the Marlins organization. He hit .269 and made contact a whopping 85.1 percent of the time with New Orleans, but he displayed little power or speed. There doesn't seem to be a spot on the major-league roster for Adames even with his ability to play each infield position, so he seems destined for another year at Triple-A as an organizational depth piece.

Rodgers earned an invitation to the Rockies' major-league camp Wednesday.

The invitation comes as no surprise, as Rodgers was reported to be in contention for the team's starting second-base job earlier in the offseason. Rodgers' unimpressive .232/.264/.290 line in 19 games at Triple-A Albuquerque suggests he needs a bit more time to develop, and the Rockies would probably prefer to keep him down to start the year in order to secure another year of team control. Rodgers could push likely favorite Garrett Hampson for a job later in the season should he start strong at Triple-A.

Franklin signed a minor-league contract with the Pirates on Wednesday that includes an invitation to major-league spring training, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

The 27-year-old spent time in the Brewers organization last season and attempted to add the catcher position to his already expansive defensive toolset. However, he only appeared in three games behind the dish at the Double-A level. Then, when he finally got his chance to go to the majors, he injured his quad just four innings into his season debut and missed the rest of the season. Franklin will have a chance to crack the major-league roster out of spring training as a utility man, but he will need to outperform players like Pablo Reyes, Erik Gonzalez, Kevin Kramer and Kevin Newman during spring training in order to break camp.

Rodgers will compete for the starting job at second base during spring training, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

The Rockies will give Rodgers -- one of the team's top prospects -- a chance to stake his claim on the starting keystone gig during camp, though the 22-year-old seems more likely to open the season in the minors after struggling in his first taste of Triple-A in 2018 (.232/.264/.290 in 19 games with Albuquerque). Fellow prospect Garrett Hampson appears to be the frontrunner to break camp with the job, though Ryan McMahon and Pat Valaika are also options.

General manager Mike Hazen confirmed Marte will play center field in 2019, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Hazen also said Marte will play elsewhere, though following the acquisition of Wilmer Flores -- who projects as the starting second baseman -- it sounds like he'll spend most of his time as the Diamondbacks' center fielder, pushing Jarrod Dyson to a fourth outfielder role. The added positional flexibility should provide a boost to Marte's fantasy value.

Gimenez was invited to the Mets' major-league spring training Thursday.

Gimenez isn't a real candidate to break camp with the Mets, as the 20-year-old has yet to appear at Triple-A, but he'll get a chance to prove himself against big-league competition this spring after his breakout campaign in 2018. The youngster hit .281 and stole 38 bases across stops at High-A and Double-A. Look for him to return to the upper minors to begin the 2019 season.

Urias is progressing after a setback with his hamstring injury cancelled his plans to play winter ball this offseason, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

A pulled hamstring ended Urias' debut season in early September, but he had originally planned to play in the Mexican winter league. He felt something when resuming his running program, however, and elected to be cautious and take it easy. He is currently at about 75 percent and expects to be at 100 percent by the start of spring training. It sounds as if Urias will be unaffected to start the season, but a recurring hamstring issue is at least something to keep an eye on.

Hernandez agreed to a one-year contract with the Dodgers on Friday, avoiding arbitration, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

The Dodgers were able to reach deals with all seven of their remaining arb-eligible players. Hernandez played more than ever before in 2018 and put together an impressive campaign, grading out as 18 percent better than league average at the plate thanks to a big improvement against right-handed pitching. Hernandez should continue to see regular action while helping all around the diamond.

Ngoepe signed a minor-league contract with the Phillies on Friday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Ngoepe made it further than any African-born player ever had when he made his big-league debut for the Pirates in 2017, though he hasn't done much in his limited major-league opportunities. In a short stint for Pittsburgh that season and an even shorter one in Toronto last year, the infielder has hit just .181/.272/.236 in 82 plate appearances. He'll fill an organizational depth role in Philadelphia this season and is unlikely to receive more than a handful of at-bats.