MLB Player News

Urias may move over to shortstop following the Padres' signing of Ian Kinsler on Friday, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Urias was expected to start the 2019 season as the club's starting second baseman, but his role is a little muddled now that Kinsler is on the team. Urias was groomed at both middle infield spots during his time in the Padres' minor leagues, though Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic added that the team still views him at the keystone while envisioning Kinsler at third base. Either way, he should be penciled into an everyday role unless the club elects to keep him in Triple-A for the start of the season to gain an extra year of control.

Dubon (knee) has progressed to hitting off a tee, according to his personal Twitter account.

Dubon continues to slowly work his way back from surgery that he underwent in May to repair a torn ACL in his left knee. While the 24-year-old is expected to be fully healthy by spring training, he'll open the season with Triple-A San Antonio. Dubon could make his major-league debut in 2019 if he picks up where he left off prior to suffering his injury (.343/.348/.574 with four homers and six stolen bases in 27 games at Triple-A in 2018).

Urias (hamstring) is projected to open the 2019 season as the Padres' starting second baseman, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Urias made his big-league debut as a 21-year-old in 2018, hitting .208/.264/.354 in 53 plate appearances before suffering a season-ending hamstring strain in mid-September. While he is still working his way back from the issue, Urias is expected to be fully healed heading into spring training, where he'll have the inside track on an everyday gig. The Padres could still choose to hold the youngster back to gain an extra year of control, as they're expected to do with fellow prospect Fernando Tatis. If Urias does break camp with the big club, he could feature as the leadoff hitter given his projection to hit for a solid average (career .306 average in the minors).

McNeil is likely to be featured as a utility player for the Mets in 2019, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

McNeil was previously penciled in as the Mets' starter at second base, but the acquisition of Robinson Cano from the Mariners in early December alters that significantly. According to DiComo, the team has discussed the 26-year-old as an option at all four infield positions in addition to left field. McNeil may not start the season as an everyday starter, but with Dominic Smith, Todd Frazier, Amed Rosario and Cano currently rounding out the Mets' infield, there should still be ample opportunities to accrue at-bats.

Marte could be the Diamondbacks' center fielder next season, Jack Magruder of The Sports Xchange reports.

Marte reportedly volunteered to be the team's center fielder last season when A.J. Pollock was injured. He started a pair of games in center for the Mariners back in 2015 but has been strictly an infielder since then. If he does wind up playing a number of games in the outfield, the added positional flexibility he'd pick up in most formats would provide a boost to his fantasy value.

Dubon (knee) will start the 2019 season at Triple-A San Antonio, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Dubon underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL back in May, and although he should be healthy for spring training, general manager David Stearns stated that Dubon won't get a shot at earning a spot on the roster for Opening Day. However, the 24-year-old second baseman could certainly make his major-league debut sometime during the 2019 campaign.

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.