MLB Player News

Detroit has asked Keith to take grounders at first base this spring, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

This doesn't necessarily mean that Keith will see time during the 2025 campaign at first base, but if he fares well enough at first during the spring, it would give the Tigers more infield flexibility. Justyn-Henry Malloy was also asked to try his hand at first base, so the general focus around the organization appears to be increasing the number of potential infield combinations.

Garcia (elbow) is expected to be ready for the start of spring training, MLB.com reports.

Garcia reported soreness in his right elbow while playing catch recently and an MRI revealed bone chips, which he had surgically removed Thursday. The Royals are calling the procedure "minor" and do not expect the infielder's availability for the beginning of spring training to be impacted. Garcia slashed .231/.281/.332 with seven home runs and 37 stolen bases for Kansas City during the 2024 regular season.

Garcia underwent surgery to remove bone spurs from his right elbow Thursday, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.

Garcia didn't spend any time on the injured list in 2024 and was available throughout the postseason, leaving it unclear when he suffered the injury. The Royals haven't commented as to whether Garcia's recovery will cost him any time during spring training or even regular season contests.

The White Sox signed Maton to a minor-league contract Tuesday that includes and invitation to spring training, Aram Leighton of Just Baseball reports.

Maton, who turns 28 in February, got a cup of coffee with the Orioles in 2024 but spent the majority of the year at Triple-A Norfolk, where he put up an .834 OPS with 16 homers. He can play everywhere other than catcher and will compete for a utility role with the White Sox.

The Red Sox have had internal discussions about moving Devers off third base, Sean McAdam of MassLive.com reports.

Devers battled through lingering issues with both shoulders during the 2024 season and again graded out poorly defensively at third base with a minus-six Outs Above Average rating. If the Red Sox do ultimately decide to shift him away from the hot corner, they would likely have both Devers and Triston Casas bounce back-and-forth between first base and designated hitter. Third base would then be filled by a free agent or trade acquisition, with Boston being connected to Alex Bregman, Willy Adames and Nolan Arenado. Finding a taker for Masataka Yoshida's contract is also part of the equation.

Rivera agreed to a one-year, $1 million contract with the Orioles on Friday to avoid arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Rivera slashed .313/.370/.578 with four homers and 14 RBI in 73 plate appearances after joining the Orioles in August -- good enough to earn him a $260,000 pay increase for 2025. Though he's played well in his brief Orioles tenure, the 28-year-old is expected to fill a reserve role next season.

The Tigers and McKinstry avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.65 million contract Friday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

McKinstry had been eligible for salary arbitration for the first time. The 29-year-old slashed just .215/.277/.337 with four home runs and 16 stolen bases over 118 games for the Tigers in 2024. He's slated to fill a utility role again next season.

The Rays traded Shenton to the Mariners on Tuesday in exchange for cash, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

After making his MLB debut and appearing in 19 games for the Rays in 2024, Shenton will now reunite with the organization that originally drafted him back in 2019. The 26-year-old infielder slashed .258/.361/.497 with 20 home runs and 65 RBI across 363 minor-league plate appearances last season, and he will likely remain an organizational depth piece upon moving to Seattle. JT Chargois was DFA'd in a corresponding move.

The Angels selected Lugo (hand) to their 40-man roster Tuesday.

The Angels acquired Lugo in the trade that sent Luis Garcia to Boston at the deadline, though the former was only able to play one game in the Angels organization before a hand injury cut his season short in early August. Now that he's on the 40-man roster, the 23-year-old outfielder will be protected from the Rule 5 Draft, and the lack of depth in Los Angeles' outfield unit could allow him to make his MLB debut in 2025.

The Rays designated Shenton for assignment Monday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.

The club has decided it had a better use for a 40-man roster spot ahead of the Rule 5 Draft protection deadline. Shenton will turn 27 in January and has just 50 major-league plate appearances under his belt, but he's slashed .276/.391/.541 with 34 homers in 144 games at the Triple-A level, so there could be interest in the infielder via waivers.