MLB Player News

Hoerner got added competition for playing time at shortstop in 2022 when the Cubs added Andrelton Simmons on Friday, per Jon Heyman of MLB Network.

Hoerner appeared in 44 games for the Cubs in 2021, slashing a solid .302/.382/.369. Simmons, meanwhile, posted a .223/.283/.274 line with Minnesota. The latter is known for his defensive abilities, but the 24-year-old Hoerner has a definite path to playing time if he can outproduce the veteran at the plate by a significant margin.

Stefanic will serve as a non-roster invitee for the Angels during spring training.

Stefanic progressed to the Triple-A level in 2021 and performed well across 104 appearances at Salt Lake, slashing .334/.408/.505 with 16 home runs, 67 runs, 56 RBI and six stolen bases. The 26-year-old will be able to develop with the big-league coaching staff this spring and could be in the mix to make his major-league debut at some point in 2022.

Gorman (hamstring) has been a full participant during the Cardinals' minor-league camp and is expected to open the season at Triple-A Memphis, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Gorman missed time during the Arizona Fall League on account of a hamstring injury, denying him an opportunity to build on a promising 2021 campaign split included stops at both Double-A Springfield and Memphis. Between the two affiliates, Gorman hit .279 while demonstrating solid power (25 home runs, 20 doubles), but how soon he arrives in the majors may hinge on him developing into a passable option in the field. A natural third baseman, Gorman transitioned primarily to second base in 2021 as a consequence of the Cardinals signing Nolan Arenado last winter. The keystone remains Gorman's most viable path to a spot on the big-league roster, even though he projects as nothing more than an average defender at the position.

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.

Sweeney signed a contract Wednesday with the Kansas City Monarchs of the independent American Association.

Sweeney will stick around with the Monarchs for a second straight season after he slashed .262/.354/.484 with 19 home runs and 22 stolen bases across 444 plate appearances in 2021. The 31-year-old switch-hitting utility man previously appeared in 39 games in the majors with the Phillies and Blue Jays, but he's been out of affiliated ball since 2019. He'll likely first need to earn a minor-league contract and prove his worth at the Triple-A level before getting another look in the majors.

The Phillies announced Tuesday that Elmore has joined the organization as a hitting coach for Double-A Clearwater, MLB.com reports.

Elmore spent the 2021 campaign at Triple-A Lehigh Valley and hit .225/.392/.275 in 51 plate appearances, and he'll remain in the Phillies organization to begin his coaching career. He appeared in 217 big-league games across six seasons for his career and finished with four home runs, 37 runs scored and 37 RBI.

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.

Beckham announced Wednesday via his personal Twitter account that he has retired from professional baseball.

Beckham hasn't seen major-league action since the 2019 campaign and will now officially hang up his cleats. He spent most of his MLB career with the White Sox but also played for the Mariners, Angels, Giants, Tigers and Atlanta. Beckham hit .237/.300/.367 with 80 home runs, 187 doubles, 420 runs and 351 RBI in 1,069 games.

Rodriguez signed a contract with the Wei Chuan Dragons of the Chinese Professional Baseball League on Wednesday.

Rodriguez spent the 2021 campaign in Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan, and he'll remain overseas after hitting .197/.216/.426 for the Nippon Ham Fighters. He last saw big-league action with Detroit in 2019 and posted a .690 OPS in 84 games.

Kemp agreed to a one-year, $2.25 million deal with the A's on Monday, avoiding arbitration, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Kemp had by far the best year of his career in 2021, hitting .279/.382/.418 with eight home runs and eight steals in 131 games. He was worth 2.7 fWAR and split time between second base and left field. Kemp should once again play quite a bit, especially against right-handed pitching, in 2022.