MLB Player News

Davis agreed Thursday with the Orioles on a minor-league contract, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

The exact terms of Davis' deal aren't known, but it likely includes an invitation to big-league spring training. Davis had previously spent his entire professional career with the Cubs organization since signing as an amateur free agent in July 2011. The 30-year-old backstop received the majority of his work at Triple-A Iowa over the past three seasons, but he has seen limited big-league action in each of those years, submitting a .222/.256/.333 slash line over 39 career plate appearances with Chicago.

Rutschman was invited to the Orioles' big-league spring training camp on Monday, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

The 2019 first-overall pick will spend his first spring as a professional with the Orioles' major-league coaching staff. He's expected to spend several summers with that group as well, though that's unlikely to begin in 2020, as he's yet to reach High-A ball.

Sanchez and the Yankees agreed to a one-year, $5 million deal to avoid arbitration Friday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Sanchez bounced back from a shaky 2018 season to hit .232/.316/.525 with 34 homers in 106 games last season. He's now broken the 30-homer plateau two out of the last three seasons.

Stassi (hip) signed a one-year, $800,000 contract with Los Angeles on Thursday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Stassi and the Angels will avoid arbitration by settling on a one-year deal. It remains unclear if he'll be ready for Opening Day after undergoing hip surgery in September, likely giving Jason Castro and Anthony Bemboom a leg up on the competition.

Plawecki agreed to a contract with the Red Sox on Thursday, Robert Murray of The Athletic reports.

Plawecki struggled at the plate in 2019 by hitting .222/.287/.342 with only three home runs and 17 RBI over 60 games with Cleveland, but he'll get a chance to play for his third team in as many seasons. The deal is worth $900,000 over one year, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports. Plawecki will likely serve as a backup behind Christian Vazquez to begin the 2020 season.

Haase was designated for assignment by the Indians on Sunday.

Haase appeared in 10 games (17 plate appearances) with the Indians in 2019 and went 1-for-16 with a home run, three RBI and eight strikeouts. Cleveland already has a solid major-league catching duo with Roberto Perez and the recently signed Sandy Leon.

Maldonado signed a two-year, $7 million contract with the Astros on Friday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Maldonado made three stops in 2019, playing for the Cubs, Astros and Royals. He slashed .213/.293/.378 with 12 home runs and 27 RBI over 105 contests. Maldonado will bring a veteran presence behind the dish and is set to compete for playing time with Garrett Stubbs and Dustin Garneau.

Stubbs is expected to get looks in the infield during spring training, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Stubbs saw time in the outfield with the Astros a season ago, manning left field in seven contests. It would certainly make him a more valuable ballplayer if he's able to add a few infield positions to his repertoire.

Manager Mike Matheny said Tuesday that Perez (elbow) could see considerable time at first base in 2020, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

Since debuting with the Royals in 2011, Perez has shouldered one of the heavier workloads among all big-league catchers, but the Royals will likely be more cautious with his usage behind the plate after Tommy John surgery cost him the entire 2019 campaign. Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com relayed in November that Perez is right on schedule with his recovery and should be restriction-free once spring training arrives, so the 29-year-old should have ample time to get acclimated to the defensive nuances of first base. That being said, Ryan O'Hearn, Ryan McBroom and Hunter Dozier represent the main candidates to man the position in 2020, so Perez's opportunities at first base (and designated hitter too, for that matter) will most likely come on the occasions where the team wants to give him a day off from catching while simultaneously keeping his bat in the lineup.

Murphy will likely serve as the Mariners' primary catcher in 2020 after Omar Narvaez was traded to the Brewers on Thursday, ESPN reports.

Murphy saw an increased role for the Mariners in 2019 even while working behind Narvaez, as he managed to appear in 76 games. Over the season, the 28-year-old hit .273/.324/.535 with 18 home runs and 40 RBI. Austin Nola will likely serve as the backup, but Murphy could gain fantasy relevance in deeper leagues in 2020 if he continues to produce.