MLB Player News

The Astros claimed Bannon off waivers from the Cubs on Friday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Two weeks after being claimed by the Cubs from Atlanta, Bannon will now be on the move to Houston. Bannon did well during his time in Triple-A last season, though it's hard to imagine him getting consistent playing time in the Astros' star-studded infield. If anything, he'll compete with Mauricio Dubon and David Hensley for reps as a backup infielder.

Barreto agreed to a minor-league contract with the Nationals on Thursday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Barreto joined the Astros on a minors deal for 2022 and had a .162/.259/.274 slash line in 73 games at the Triple-A level before he was released in August. The 26-year-old will need a significant turnaround to have a chance of seeing the majors in 2023.

White Sox assistant general manager Chris Getz said that Rodriguez (hand) is on track to be ready for spring training, James Fegan of The Athletic reports. "There certainly wasn't a hotter hitter in our system than Jose Rodriguez right before breaking his hamate bone [in an Aug. 20 game]," Getz said. "He's doing normal baseball activities right now, and he'll do that for a little bit longer. But he undoubtedly will be ready to go in spring training and show us what he's capable of doing."

Rodriguez was one of the more notable prospects that the White Sox added to their 40-man roster earlier this month. Before he was shut down for the season in late August after fracturing the hamate bone of his left hand on a home-run swing, Rodriguez produced a .280/.340/.430 slash line across 483 plate appearances at Double-A Birmingham. Though the second baseman looks like he'll get the opportunity to join big-league camp and theoretically compete for a spot on the White Sox's Opening Day roster, Rodriguez is more realistically headed for Triple-A Birmingham to begin the 2023 campaign.

Capra re-signed Sunday with the Blue Jays on a minor-league contract, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Non-tendered by Toronto just a few days ago, Capra will rejoin the Blue Jays, albeit no longer as a member of the 40-man roster. His minor-league deal presumably includes an invitation to big-league spring training, where he'll be vying for a reserve spot in an outfield that no longer includes Teoscar Hernandez, Raimel Tapia or Bradley Zimmer. Capra appeared in eight games for the big club in 2022 but otherwise spent the majority of the campaign at Triple-A Buffalo, where he produced a .789 OPS over 225 plate appearances.

The Blue Jays declined to tender Capra a contract for 2023.

Capra got his first look in the big leagues last season but saw most of his action with Triple-A Buffalo, hitting .283/.378/.403 in 52 games before undergoing left middle finger tendon surgery. He doesn't have pedigree on his side as a 20th-round pick in 2018. Capra will have to prove his health and fight for additional MLB opportunities.

The White Sox declined to tender Mendick (knee) a contract for 2023, Scot Gregor of the Chicago Daily Herald reports.

Mendick spent the final three months of the 2022 season on the injured list with a torn ACL. HIs availability for the start of spring training is up in the air.

The Tigers declined to tender Castro a contract for 2023.

Detroit clearly didn't see a future with Castro in the organization -- not too hard to understand given he's had one season with an OPS above .690. Castro is unlikely to land a regular role in free agency, but his decent bat-to-ball skills and defensive versatility may land him in camp with a big-league squad as a non-roster invitee.

The Cubs claimed Bannon off waivers from Atlanta on Friday.

Bannon spent the vast majority of last season in Triple-A, slashing .249/.367/.421 and collecting 77 RBI through 411 plate appearances. Infield depth was an issue for the Cubs last season, so it's possible that Bannon makes a few appearances for Chicago in 2023, but he will more than likely serve primarily as a minor-league piece.

The Cardinals signed Motter to a minor-league contract Friday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Motter spent about half of the 2022 campaign with the Reds organization, going 1-for-6 in two games on the major-league roster. The 33-year-old will now get a shot to prove himself with the Cardinals in 2023.

Julien was added to Minnesota's 40-man roster Tuesday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Julien spent the 2022 campaign with Double-A Wichita and cemented his status as one of Minnesota's top prospects with a .303/.443/.491 slash line, 17 home runs and 19 steals in 114 games. The 23-year-old posted an incredible 19.7 percent walk rate and should move to Triple-A St. Paul this coming year, and he could also sniff the majors.