MLB Player News

Urias signed a one-year, $2.1 million contract with the Orioles on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Urias slashed .264/.328/.375 with 42 RBI across 396 plate appearances last season. Despite his above-average glove and solid batting average, Urias will likely struggle to find regular playing time behind the myriad of talented young prospects the Orioles have on their roster.

Paredes signed a one-year, $3.4 million contract with the Rays on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

2023 was Paredes' best season at the plate to date. He slashed .250/.352/.488 with 31 homers and 98 RBI across 571 plate appearances and cemented himself as the Rays' primary third baseman. He receives a $2.665 million raise and is under team control through 2027.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that LeMahieu will be the club's starting third baseman in 2024, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

LeMahieu has bounced around all over the infield during his time with the Yankees, but it sounds like the club would like to have him focus mostly on third base next season. What that means for Oswald Peraza isn't clear, as the rest of the Yanks' infield spots already appear spoken for.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said Tuesday that Walls (hip) is on track to be ready for the beginning of the 2024 season, Steve Carney of StPeteNine.com reports.

Walls underwent surgery in late October to repair a labral tear in his right hip and relieve discomfort caused by an impingement, but he has progressed well in the early stages of his rehab program and could resume workouts sometime in February. The 27-year-old racked up 22 stolen bases over 99 games in 2023, though he finished with a rough .201/.305/.333 overall slash line.

Miranda (shoulder) started hitting within the past week, but he's not expected to begin throwing until January, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Miranda underwent surgery on his shoulder in September, which was a cleanup procedure, according to the Star Tribune. That development is considered a positive, since his shoulder issues were thought to be more serious. Miranda struggled last year by hitting just .211/.263/.303 in 40 games before his season ended in July due to the shoulder injury. Miranda began last season as Minnesota's everyday third baseman, but his struggles and shoulder injury have clouded his outlook for 2024. He'll potentially compete for a role at first base this spring, but he may need to prove himself again at Triple-A.

Toro signed a one-year contract with the Athletics on Friday.

Toro was traded from Milwaukee to Oakland on Wednesday, and he's now in a position to compete for a starting infield job after spending most of last season with Triple-A Nashville, where he slashed .291/.374/.471 over 96 contests.

The Brewers traded Toro to Oakland on Wednesday in exchange for Chad Patrick, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Toro slashed .291/.374/.471 across 414 plate appearances at Triple-A Nashville last season, and he made the most of his limited opportunities in the majors by going 8-for-18 with two homers and nine RBI. Toro's switch-hitting bat and ability to cover every base could go a long way when competing for a spot on the Athletics' Opening Day roster.

The Rays selected Shenton to their 40-man roster Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Shenton put up an impressive .304/.423/.584 batting line with 29 home runs and 99 RBI over 134 games this past season between Double-A Montgomery and Triple-A Durham. The 25-year-old corner infielder looks poised to make his major-league debut in the early part of the 2024 season.

White Sox general manager Chris Getz on Tuesday wouldn't rule out Moncada playing multiple positions in 2024, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports.

"I think he is capable of playing different positions," Getz said of Moncada. "He's played some second base with us. I think he's a better third baseman than second baseman. That doesn't mean there aren't going to be some days where perhaps he goes over to second base or plays first base and perhaps even the outfield. We'll do what's best for our club." Duber cautions that "the expectation is still that Moncada will be the White Sox's everyday third baseman in 2024." However, it it sounds like he could bounce around a bit if the situation calls for it. Moncada has been used exclusively at third base since 2019.

Maton recently required arthroscopic surgery to address discomfort in his left knee, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

It was a fairly minor procedure and the current expectation is that Maton will be fully recovered by the start of spring training in February. The 26-year-old batted just .173/.288/.305 across 293 major-league plate appearances with the Tigers in 2023, but he drew 41 starts at third base, 19 starts at second base and even one start at shortstop.