MLB Player News

Asuaje will compete with Cory Spangenberg for the starting second base gig this spring, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Spangenberg seems like the early favorite to break camp with the top spot on the depth chart, but Asuaje shouldn't be overlooked. While Spangenberg was incredibly inconsistent last season, Asuaje produced a solid .270 batting average and has an excellent eye at the plate. The 26-year-old also improved his defense significantly last season. That said, Asuaje really only plays second base, which could hurt him in a direct competition with the versatile Spangenberg. This situation should clear up over the course of Cactus League play, although Asuaje's lack of positional versatility may keep him off the Opening Day roster if he can't crack the starting lineup.

Senzel has been working frequently at second base and shortstop at the Reds spring training complex, having arrived nearly a month ago, MLB.com's Mark Sheldon reports.

Senzel will begin the year in the minors, most likely at Triple-A Louisville, but it's a good bet that he'll be up with the big club at some point this season. The issue facing the Reds is where to play Senzel, as they are very happy with the work they are getting from Eugenio Suarez at third base. The middle infield slots are less secure -- Scooter Gennett had a good 2017 campaign, but was a waiver claim and didn't do much the previous years, and Jose Peraza was disappointing in 2017. Either Suarez could move to shortstop or Senzel could play a middle infield position upon his eventual promotion.

Reynolds was acquired by the Nationals on Monday in exchange for cash considerations, Chelsea Janes of The Washington Post reports.

Reynolds had a subpar 2017 season with the Mets. He slashed .230/.326/.301 over 68 games while logging just four extra-base hits. Should he appear in the majors with his new club, Reynolds would likely provide depth in a utility role, as he has experience playing first base, second base, third base, shortstop and the outfield.

Reynolds was designated for assignment by the Mets on Wednesday, Matt Ehalt of The Record reports.

Reynolds was cast off the 40-man roster due to the club's recent signing of third baseman Todd Frazier. In 2017, Reynolds appeared in 68 games with the Mets, slashing a mediocre .230/.326/.301 with one home run and five RBI in 113 at-bats. He will serve as added depth during this upcoming campaign, but should be back at the Triple-A level for most of the season.

Suarez will make $3.75 million in 2018 after losing his arbitration case with the Reds on Tuesday, Jon Heyman of FanRagSports.com reports.

Suarez was hoping to make closer to $4.2 million this season, though he'll have to settle for a little bit less after losing his hearing. The 26-year-old is expected to enter the 2018 season as the team's starting third baseman after he hit a respectable .260/.367/.461 with 26 homers across 156 games last season, though with Nick Senzel looming in the minors, his job may not be safe the entire season.

Noriega signed a minor-league contract with the Brewers on Monday.

Noriega split time between Double-A Biloxi and Triple-A Colorado Springs in 2017, though he hit just .238/.258/.300 in 82 games between both stops. He should serve as organizational depth again in 2018.

The Braves officially invited Riley to big-league spring training.

Riley took part in the Arizona Fall League after playing the last couple months of the 2017 season at the Double-A level. The third baseman will get a chance to show the Braves' brass his potential when he faces major-league pitching come spring, and he could be in line for a promotion to the big leagues towards the latter part of next season if he's able to hold his own. Either way, expect Riley to start the 2018 campaign with Triple-A Gwinnett after slashing .315/.389/.511 over 48 games with Mississippi last year.

The Pirates announced Monday that Newman would join the major-league squad spring training as a non-roster invitee, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

In addition to Newman, fellow shortstop prospect Cole Tucker (hand) will also work out with the big club this spring, though neither is a serious candidate to make the Opening Day roster. Tucker probably offers more long-term fantasy upside of the two shortstops due to his base-stealing ability and projectable power, though Newman boasts a better hit tool. Newman slashed .283/.314/.373 across 178 plate appearances with Triple-A Indianapolis following a July promotion and is expected to open the 2018 season in the International League.

LeMahieu agreed to a one-year, $8.5 million contract with the Rockies on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Jon Heyman of FanRagSports.com reports.

LeMahieu earned a significant raise (from $4.8 million) by batting .310 with a .374 OBP in 155 games with Colorado in 2017. Unfortunately, his ISO fell back below .100 last season as the 29-year-old drove the ball into the ground 55.6 percent of the time. Ideally, he'd add some power to his game before hitting the open market next winter.

Rendon agreed to a one-year, $12.3 million contract with the Nationals on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Chelsea Janes of The Washington Post reports.

Rendon put together an excellent 2017 season and will be handsomely rewarded, as his salary more than doubles in his second year of arbitration eligibility. Last season was Rendon's third full campaign in four years, so he's distancing himself from the health concerns that dogged him earlier in his career, and his plate skills are still improving.