MLB Player News

The Pirates announced Saturday that Hayes would attend spring training with the big club, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

The top position prospect in the organization, Hayes slashed .293/.375/.444 with seven home runs and 12 steals across 508 plate appearances at Double-A Altoona last season while providing elite defense at the hot corner. While the invitation to big-league camp is a deserved reward for Hayes, he'll likely be ticketed for Triple-A Indianapolis to begin the campaign and is expected to spend most of 2019 in the minors.

The Dodgers dealt Farmer, Yasiel Puig, Matt Kemp, Alex Wood and $7 million to Cincinnati on Friday in exchange for Homer Bailey, Josiah Gray and Jeter Downs, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Farmer will provide a little extra catching depth for the Reds behind Tucker Barnhart and Curt Casali after playing in 59 big-league games over the past two years. During the 2018 campaign, Farmer went 16-for-68 (.235 average) with five extra-base hits and nine RBI. Don't expect him to get much playing time barring an injury to Barnhart.

Robinson was traded from the Rangers to the Cardinals on Tuesday in exchange for Patrick Wisdom.

Robinson split time between Triple-A Round Rock and the majors in 2018, hitting .303/.379/.569 in 53 games for the Express but struggling to a .183/.288/.294 line across 47 games with the Rangers. The 26-year-old should fill a utility role for the Cardinals while offering a left-handed bat off the bench.

Rivera was outrighted to Triple-A New Orleans on Tuesday, Andre Fernandez of The Athletic reports.

The utility man hit just .173/.269/.216 across 111 games (160 plate appearances) with the Marlins in 2018.

Asuaje was designated for assignment by San Diego on Friday, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Asuaje played in 79 games for the Padres this past year but slashed a dreadful .196/.286/.280 with just two home runs and 19 RBI. This move allowed the club to free up another spot on the 40-man roster while Asuaje will take a spin through waivers to determine if he will remain in the organization.

The Braves are anticipating Donaldson hitting second in the order during the 2019 season, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Per O'Brien, Ronald Acuna will sit atop the order or man the cleanup spot while Freddie Freeman hits third. Ozzie Albies and Ender Inciarte are also under consideration to bat leadoff. Prior to Donaldson's injury-plagued 2018 campaign, he slashed .270/.385/.559 with 33 home runs and 78 RBI in 2017. The Braves are obviously betting on Donaldson staying healthy and returning to that form after signing him to a one-year, $23 million deal. Donaldson is in line to be the club's everyday third baseman while Johan Camargo takes on a utility role to begin the year.

Senzel (elbow) said he will resume baseball activities "in the next week or so," Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

The highly-touted prospect is nearing a return to full health after an injury-riddled year. After missing extended time during the 2018 season due to vertigo and later a fractured finger, Senzel underwent surgery in October to remove bone spurs from his left elbow. He was recently cleared to begin lifting weights and is expected to begin swinging a bat by the end of December. Barring any setbacks, Senzel is expected to be ready to go by the start of spring training. The 23-year-old will compete for an Opening Day roster spot with Cincinnati after hitting .310/.378/.509 with six homers and eight steals in his first taste of Triple-A in 2018 (44 games with Triple-A Louisville).

Alvarez signed a minor-league contract with the Marlins on Monday which includes an invitation to spring training, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.

There are few organizations easier to battle for a roster spot with than the Marlins, but even so, Alvarez doesn't necessarily have an inside shot. He's primarily a designated hitter, having started just 13 games in the field over the last two seasons. He no longer appears to have the bat capable of carrying his value as a bat-only player, though, as he hit just .180/.283/.414 in 45 games with the Orioles last season. Some positive regression from his .179 BABIP could help, but he'll be 32 years old next season and the rebuilding Marlins will likely prefer to give playing time to younger players.

The Mariners agreed in principle Monday to send Segura to the Phillies in a multi-player trade, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Carlos Santana and J.P. Crawford are the key principals headed back to Seattle, with other prospects believed to be involved in the deal. The transactions won't become official until all players included in the deal pass their physicals, though that's expected to be a formality. In Philadelphia, Segura should slide in as the everyday shortstop, a position the team struggled to generate production from last season between Crawford and Scott Kingery. It's likely that Segura will also occupy a spot near the top of the order, which should continue to afford him ample run-scoring opportunities and a green light on the basepaths.

Kieboom will work at shortstop and second base this offseason, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.

Kieboom only played shortstop this last season, but the Nationals are considering adding second base to his repertoire to aid his climb to the majors. Current shortstop Trea Turner is under team control for another four years, but second base is being held down by the combination of Howie Kendrick (Achilles), Wilmer Difo and Adrian Sanchez. After slashing .262/.326/.395 at Double-A Harrisburg this past season and performing well in the Arizona Fall League (.280/.426/.347), Kieboom could push for time in the big leagues if he can hit Triple-A pitching well enough.