MLB Player News

Chapman underwent surgery Friday on his left shoulder. The procedure was a distal clavicle resection procedure, and he will be ready to swing in six weeks, according to the team's press release.

According to the A's, Chapman felt problems with the shoulder in offseason workouts and was evaluated by the team this week. He'll begin physical therapy next week.

Chapman underwent surgery on his left shoulder Friday, and he's expected to resume swinging a bat again within six weeks, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

Chapman reportedly began feeling discomfort in his shoulder during his offseason workouts, so he went under the knife to correct the issue prior to the 2019 campaign. The Gold Glover has now had two surgeries since the 2018 season came to an end, but Oakland fully expects their star third baseman to be healthy for spring training.

Manager Rick Renteria said Moncada could play some third base in spring training, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Renteria apparently talked to Moncada about playing third base in 2018, and the 23-year-old was open to it. While the added positional flexibility won't hurt, Moncada figures to provide more fantasy value as a second baseman. The 23-year-old hit .235/.315/.400 with 17 homers and 12 steals across 149 games last season.

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.

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

Wisdom was no longer needed as corner infield depth in St. Louis following the acquisition of Paul Goldschmidt. The 27-year-old spent the majority of the 2018 season with Triple-A Memphis, hitting .288/.363/.480 with 15 homers and 11 stolen bases across 107 games. He also made his major-league debut, slashing .260/.362/.520 with four homers and a pair of steals across 32 games for the big club. Wisdom currently projects as infield depth for Texas, though he could also compete for a starting job if Jurickson Profar is traded before Opening Day.

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 claimed off waivers by the Rangers on Monday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Asuaje has appeared in 175 games over the last three seasons with the Padres, hitting .240/.312/.329. Those numbers are acceptable enough for a utility infielder but hardly make him a fantasy asset, and the fact that he doesn't play shortstop may make it harder for him to win a bench spot in Texas.

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).