MLB Player News

Kemp enters the season with no minor-league options, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Kemp. who started each of the last three seasons in the minors, will be competing in a crowded outfield during spring training. In addition to Kemp, Jake Marisnick, Derek Fisher, Myles Straw and top position prospect Kyle Tucker are in the mix for two backup outfield spots. If the Astros attempt to designate Kemp for assignment in spring training, he'll most certainly be claimed by another team. He was valuable in 2018, having played all three outfield spots while seeing time at second base in 97 games. With super-utility player Marwin Gonzalez no longer around, Kemp's defensive versatility may give him an advantage in making a push for the initial 25-man roster.

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.

The Athletics announced last week that they signed Joseph to a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to spring training, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Joseph saw his first MLB action since 2013 last season with the Orioles, appearing in 14 games and going 4-for-18 at the dish. The 30-year-old will compete for a bench gig with Oakland in spring training but will almost certainly open the campaign with Double-A Midland or Triple-A Las Vegas.

The four-year contract extension Merrifield agreed to Sunday with the Royals includes a $10.5 million team option for 2023, Jeff Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Merrifield's deal will guarantee him at least $16.25 million. He'll make $15.5 million over the first four years of the deal and will be due a $750,000 buyout in the event the Royals choose not to exercise the 2023 team option in what would be his age-34 season. The speedster's contract also contains salary escalators in 2021 and 2022 for reaching certain award or plate appearance-based thresholds that would make the deal worth $31.75 million at maximum. It's an extension that works well for both sides, as it gives Merrifield a higher annual salary ceiling while buying out his arbitration years and enables the Royals to retain one of their top performers over the past two seasons at an affordable price.

Merrifield agreed to a four-year, $16.25 million contract extension with the Royals on Sunday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Kansas City now has Merrifield locked up until after his three seasons of arbitration. The 30-year-old second baseman finished his second full year in the big leagues with a .304/.367/.438 slash line including 12 homers, 60 RBI and 45 stolen bases in 158 games. Merrifield will aim to piece together another stellar campaign heading into 2019 and could solidify himself as one of the top fantasy options at second base if he manages to pick up where he left off last season.

The Blue Jays announced Saturday that Biggio will be one of their 15 non-roster invitees to big-league spring training, John Lott of The Athletic reports.

Biggio noticed a major boost up in prospect lists in 2018 after a huge season at Double-A New Hampshire. He mashed 55 extra-base hits, stole 20 bases and walked in an astounding 18.2 percent of his plate appearances, with his 100 free passes pacing the Eastern League. The 23-year-old will presumably open the upcoming campaign at Triple-A Buffalo, where he'll look to continue his offensive excellence and showcase some defensive versatility. According to Ben Nicholson-Smith, Biggio has been taking reps in the outfield with the hope of accelerating his arrival to the big leagues. A natural second baseman, Biggio also drew 34 starts at third base and 22 at first base at Double-A last season.

Jones was invited to the Angels' major-league spring training Friday.

Jones reached Double-A Mobile for the first time last season. He hit a mediocre .245/.335/.375 in 48 games at that level, so he'll likely need some more seasoning before he's under serious consideration for a roster spot.