MLB Player News

Asche signed a minor-league contract with the Dodgers on Thursday.

It's unclear if the deal includes an invitation to spring training, but Asche figures to open (and spend most of) the season in the minors either way. The 28-year-old split time between Triple-A Las Vegas (Mets) and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in 2018, hitting a combined .220/.304/.399 with 11 homers in 105 games. Across parts of five major-league seasons (390 games), Asche owns a career .234/.293/.376 slash line.

Nevin was invited to join the Rockies' major-league camp Wednesday.

Nevin hasn't yet appeared above High-A, so he won't be considered for a big-league roster spot this spring. His .328/.386/.503 line at High-A Lancaster last season earned him the chance to spend a few weeks with Colorado's major-league staff, a staff he'll be hoping to play for on a regular basis in a year or two.

Senzel "will be given every opportunity to focus on center field, play center field, learn center field [and] improve in center field to see where he stacks up against our other options," according to general manager Dick Williams, John Fay of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Senzel has been exclusively an infielder in the minors, but the Reds appear happy with Scooter Gennett at second base and Eugenio Suarez at third. With Billy Hamilton now in Kansas City, the team lacks a player with significant experience in center, so it makes sense to have Senzel learn the position in order to get his bat in the lineup. It sounds as though the plan is for the 23-year-old to eventually be the primary starter at that position, provided he proves he can handle the switch, though it's not guaranteed he'll be there on Opening Day. Cincinnati may keep him in the minors to start the year to secure an extra year of team control and to give him more reps in the outfield.

Arenado agreed to a one-year, $26 million contract with the Rockies on Thursday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

It appeared as though an arbitration hearing was imminent, but after Arenado previously requested $30 million and the Rockies offered up $24 million, the two sides managed to settle on $26 million as a fair price, which is a record for a player going through the arbitration process. The 27-year-old has proven that he's worth the hefty price, belting 38 homers while driving in 110 runs and finishing with a .297 batting average in 156 games a season ago. He'll look to inflict more damage on opposing teams during the 2019 season now that he has a contract in place for at least another year.

Manager Clint Hurdle indicated Newman would compete with Erik Gonzalez for the Pirates' starting shortstop job during spring training, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

With Jordy Mercer now in Detroit and Josh Harrison still sitting on the open market, the Pirates have vacancies for both of their middle-infield spots. While Adam Frazier is seemingly in pole position for duties at the keystone, the battle between Newman and Gonzalez, an offseason pickup from the Indians, should prove to be the more competitive job battle. Heading into camp, Newman is probably behind Gonzalez in the pecking order after slashing just .209/.247/.231 in his first taste of the big leagues last season. Gonzalez, meanwhile, didn't receive many opportunities to play behind Francisco Lindor in Cleveland the past three seasons, but he's well regarded for his dynamic defense and owns a respectable .263 batting average at the MLB level.

Reynolds was outrighted to Triple-A Fresno on Thursday, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.

Reynolds will head to Triple-A after passing through waivers untouched. Over parts of three major-league seasons (240 plate appearances), the 28-year-old owns a lackluster .223/.295/.340 slash line. Look for him to serve as organizational depth in 2019.

Reynolds was designated for assignment Sunday, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.

The Nationals needed a 40-man roster spot for new addition Brian Dozier, and Reynolds wound up being the roster casualty. The 28-year-old spent little time in the big leagues last season and only holds a .635 OPS in 240 career major-league plate appearances, but he played every position besides pitcher and catcher in the minors. He figures to act as an organizational depth piece moving forward.

Rendon agreed to a one-year, $18.8 million contract with Washington on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Rendon put together yet another solid year at the dish in 2018, hitting .308 with 24 homers and 92 RBI in 136 ballgames. He's belted 20 or more home runs and driven in 85 or more RBI in each of his previous three seasons, and he should have a good chance to do so again in 2019.

Senzel was invited to the Reds' major-league camp Wednesday.

Injuries held Senzel to just 44 games last season and likely delayed his big-league debut, though he certainly looked major-league ready, as he posted a strong .310/.378/.509 line for Triple-A Louisville. The second overall pick in the 2016 draft should have at least an outside shot to break camp on the major-league roster, but he's good enough and young enough that he's a candidate to be kept in the minors for at least a few weeks so that the Reds secure an extra year of team control. His ultimate defensive position remains unclear, and could involve a move to the outfield, so the "working on his defense" excuse may be more legitimate in his case than most.

Davis was traded from the Astros to the Mets with infielder Cody Bohanek for infielder Luis Santana, outfielder Ross Adolph and catcher Scott Manea on Sunday.

The 25-year-old spent time in both the majors and minors last season, but his numbers at Triple-A suggested he has gotten enough seasoning in the minors. Davis put up a .342/.406/.583 slash line, 17 home runs and 81 RBI with Fresno while seeing time at third base, first base, left field and right field. Davis could compete for a starting gig at one of the corner infield spots out of spring training. First base is a bit uncertain until Peter Alonso is ready for the majors and third base is occupied by a declining Todd Frazier.