MLB Player News

Herrera signed a minor-league contract with the Mets on Thursday.

The deal includes an invitation to spring training. Herrera split time with Triple-A Louisville and the Reds in 2018, slashing .297/.367/.465 across 50 games with the Bats but struggling to a .184/.268/.414 line across 53 games with the big club. He'll likely serve as organizational depth for the Mets in 2019.

Tomlinson signed a minor-league contract with the Diamondbacks that includes an invitation to spring training, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Tomlinson has served the Giants in a Quadruple-A utility role for the last four seasons, but struggled mightily in 2018 with a .207/.265/.264 slash line in 140 at-bats. The 28-year-old has never exceeded 200 at-bats in the majors and that seems unlikely to change with Arizona in 2019, especially with Eduardo Escobar signing a $21 million extension in October.

Diaz had his contract selected from Triple-A New Orleans on Tuesday, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports.

The Marlins added Diaz to their 40-man roster in order to protect the 22-year-old from the upcoming Rule 5 draft. Diaz didn't exactly impress at Double- or Triple-A in 2018, hitting a combined .232/.340/.399 across 119 games, but he's a candidate to take over at second base for the Marlins at some point in 2019 with Starlin Castro reportedly on the block.

General manager Brodie Van Wagenen said McNeil is "penciled in" as the Mets' starting second baseman in 2019, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

McNeil settled in as the Mets' starter at second base following the trade of Asdrubal Cabrera in July and slashed .329/.381/.471 with three homers and seven stolen bases across 63 games over the remainder of the season. The 26-year-old flashed impressive contact skills, striking out just 9.7 percent of the time in 2018.

Rodgers is recovering from shoulder tightness, which is why he was scratched from the Arizona Fall League roster, Tracy Ringolsby of InsideTheSeams.com reports. "Instead of trying to push it to get him ready for the fall league we decided it was best to allow him to rest and strengthen this offseason," said Zach Wilson, Rockies senior director-player development. "It's a minor issue but best to get him physically ready for 2019."

The AFL would have been a good opportunity for Rodgers to rehab his prospect stock against less advanced pitching, as he struggled mightily (.232/.264/.290) after a late-season promotion to Triple-A. He was replaced on the AFL roster by Tyler Nevin. Rodgers should return to Triple-A at the start of the season while fellow prospect Garrett Hampson gets a crack at cementing himself as the Rockies' everyday second baseman.

Herrera was sent outright to Triple-A Louisville on Friday, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Herrera will stick with the Reds after passing through waivers unclaimed. The 24-year-old struggled to make an impact at the major-league level in 2018, hitting just .184/.268/.414 with five homers across 53 games. Mason Williams was also cast off the team's 40-man roster in order to free up space for younger prospects who need to be protected from the Rule 5 draft.

Hernandez is not in the lineup for Game 4 of the World Series against Boston on Saturday.

Hernandez has just four hits all postseason, so he'll head to the bench for a night off. Max Muncy will slide over to second base to replace him, allowing David Freese to enter the lineup.

Hernandez is not in the lineup against Boston for Game 3 of the World Series on Friday.

As expected, Hernandez will head to the bench with a right-hander (Rick Porcello) on the bump for the Red Sox, enabling manager Dave Roberts to turn all his lefty hitters loose for Friday's contest in Los Angeles. In his Hernandez's place, Chris Taylor will start at second base and Cody Bellinger will man center field.

Hoerner has played in nine games in the Arizona Fall League after missing the final six weeks of the minor-league season due to a ligament strain in his left elbow.

The infielder has gone 11-for-39 (.282 average) with seven RBI during his brief time back on the field this fall. More importantly, it doesn't appear as though he's having any issues with the elbow. In addition to playing his typical shortstop position, he's started a few games at second base, which is a spot where the 21-year-old saw some time back in his collegiate days at Stanford. After the fall league wraps up in November, Hoerner will rest for six weeks before returning to Arizona for instructional league ball.

General manager David Stearns said Dubon (knee) is on track to be ready for the start of spring training, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

This is encouraging news for Dubon, who suffered a torn ACL in May. The 24-year-old was off to an impressive start prior to suffering the season-ending injury, slashing .343/.348/.574 with four homers and six stolen bases across 27 games with Triple-A Colorado Springs. Dubon will likely open the 2019 season back at Triple-A, though he figures to earn his first trip to the majors at some point once he proves his health.