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Luis Urias 2B | TOR
Brewers' Luis Urias: Being evaluated for wrist injury
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.
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Elvis Andrus 2B | ARI
Rangers' Elvis Andrus: Shedding weight
Andrus showed up at a team event Friday about 10 pounds lighter than when the 2019 season ended, Sam Blum of the Dallas Morning News reports.
Andrus, who is entering his 12th year in the Rangers' organization, said he plans to shed at least another five pounds before training camp opens. He's coming off an unproductive season with a .706 OPS in 147 games. Texas general manager Jon Daniels made both Andrus and second baseman Rougned Odor aware of the team's displeasure with their results last year, per Kevin Sherrington of the Dallas Morning News. "We've been real clear with both guys," Daniels said. "Their position with the club is different from what it's been." The message to Andrus was to show up in better shape and be committed to the long grind of the baseball season. While there is not a ready option to take over at shortstop, Rangers manager Chris Woodward could drop Andrus in the batting order.
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Michael Chavis 2B | CIN
Red Sox's Michael Chavis: Feels good after offseason
Chavis (oblique) said he feels good and is pleased with where his swing is at as he prepares for spring training, Stephen Hewitt of the Boston Herald reports.
Chavis was in town to accept the Red Sox's rookie of the year award from the Boston chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America. In 2019, the 24-year-old infielder split most of his time between second base and first base, two positions without a current full-time starter in place. It's likely he sees time at each position, and he should see an increase in plate appearances in 2020.
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Yangervis Solarte 2B | SD
Braves' Yangervis Solarte: Lands minors deal with Braves
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.
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Tony Kemp 2B | MIN
Athletics' Tony Kemp: Traded to Oakland
Kemp was traded from the Cubs to the Athletics for minor-leaguer Alfonso Rivas on Monday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Kemp filled a bench role for the Astros and Cubs last season but didn't do much at the plate, hitting .212/.291/.380 in 279 plate appearances. With the ability to play second base and all three outfield positions, Kemp should be a useful bench piece for the always-creative Athletics this season, but he's unlikely to play enough to be much of a fantasy asset or to hit well enough if he does get unexpected time.
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Ketel Marte 2B | ARI
Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte: Looking like center fielder
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.
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Enrique Hernandez 3B | LAD
Dodgers' Enrique Hernandez: No arbitration hearing necessary
Hernandez signed a one-year, $5.9 million contract with the Dodgers on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Hernandez hit .237 with 17 home runs, 64 RBI and four stolen bases in 130 games a year ago with Los Angeles. He'll be in line for a utility role heading into the 2020 campaign.
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Adam Frazier 2B | LAA
Pirates' Adam Frazier: No arbiter required
Frazier agreed to a one-year, $2.8 million contract with the Pirates on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Frazier put up solid numbers at the dish in 2019, slashing .278/.336/.417 with 10 home runs and 50 RBI over 152 games. He figures to be in line for a similar role in 2020.