MLB Player News

Diaz signed a one-year, $4.45 million contract with the Astros on Tuesday, avoiding arbitration, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The agreement means Diaz will avoid arbitration in his final year of eligibility. The utility infielder is coming off a season in which he hit .259/.317/.405 in 84 games, good for a 99 wRC+.

Mondesi agreed to a one-year, $3 million contract with Kansas City on Monday, avoiding arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Mondesi struggled to stay healthy a season ago, and with his contract now in order, he can focus on his play. It's already been reported early in camp that he's in line for the starting job at shortstop, though the Royals may also elect to give him looks around the infield given his versatility. It'll also be worth keeping an eye on whether Kansas City plans to grant Mondesi regular rest, given his past injuries.

Smith (ankle) will start at shortstop and bat eighth Monday in the Rangers' Cactus League game against the Guardians.

Texas scratched Smith from its lineup for Sunday's game against the Brewers while he contended with a sore ankle, but the extra day off was apparently all the infield prospect needed to move past the issue. Smith, who was one of several farmhands the Rangers acquired last summer in the deal that sent Joey Gallo to the Yankees, slashed .294/.425/.431 with three home runs and seven stolen bases across 127 plate appearances at Double-A Frisco following his arrival from New York.

Allen went 1-for-2 with a triple and a run in a Cactus League loss to the Reds on Saturday.

It was encouraging for fantasy managers to see Allen, who's already considered an elite defender at shortstop, flash with the bat against big-league pitching with his leadoff triple in the fifth inning. The 23-year-old was impressive last spring with the bat as well with a .300/.344/.400 slash line in 31 plate appearances. After following it up with an even more impressive .319/.374/.471 tally at Double-A Midland, Allen struggled some against Triple-A arms at Las Vegas (.243/.302/.301 in 151 PAs), but a strong enough spring at the plate could conceivably see him latch on to a roster spot.

Baez went 0-for-2 and played four innings at shortstop in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates.

Baez batted third, behind Robbie Grossman and Riley Greene, with Jonathan Schoop following that trio. Baez will be a focal point of Detroit's offensive attack this year, and while he's a bit of a free swinger (33.6 percent strikeout rate in 2021), he should still post good counting stats. The 29-year-old should also be back at shortstop on a regular basis after playing at second base next to Francisco Lindor when he joined the Mets at the trade deadline last season.

Story agreed to a contract with the Red Sox on Sunday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, Story will receive $140 million over six years with the Red Sox, and the deal includes an opt out after the 2025 season, which Boston can negate by picking up a seventh year for the contract. Xander Bogaerts has been locked in as Boston's shortstop since 2014 and will remain at the position, per Jim Bowden of The Athletic, though Story is viewed as the superior defender. Regardless of how the pair is positioned between shortstop and second base, the team now features one of the best middle infield pairings in the league. Story hit .251/.329/.471 with 24 home runs, 88 runs, 75 RBI and 20 stolen bases in 142 games last season in Colorado and will continue his career with Boston as its new second baseman.

Smith was scratched from the lineup for Saturday's Cactus League game against the Brewers due to ankle soreness, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Smith was initially slated to start at second base against Milwaukee, but he never took the field due to his ankle injury. The move is mainly considered precautionary, so it's possible that the 24-year-old will be back in action within a few days.

Seager went 2-for-3 with a three-run home run in Friday's spring game against Kansas City.

The Rangers showcased their major offseason acquisitions Friday with Seager batting second behind Marcus Semien at leadoff. Each made his Cactus League debut. Seager had his most plate appearances in 2021 out of the two-hole for the Dodgers.

Correa signed a three-year, $105.3 million contract with the Twins on Saturday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Correa's deal with Minnesota comes as a surprise, as the 27-year-old had been linked to multiple contenders and larger-market teams in free agency -- the Twins don't seem to fit either description -- after turning down a five-year, $160 million contract from Houston in November, Mark Berman of Fox 26 reports. However, he'll join the Twins on a deal that includes opt-outs after each of the first two seasons with a $35.1 million annual salary that is the highest for any infielder in MLB history, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today. Correa spent the first seven years of his career with the Astros and appeared in 148 games during the 2021 campaign, slashing .279/.366/.485 with a career-high 26 homers and 104 runs to go with 92 RBI. The Twins traded for Gio Urshela last weekend, but the former Yankee will now have to compete with Luis Arraez for playing time at third base or settle into a utility role.

Marte (lower leg), the Mariners' No. 2 prospect, will see regular playing time during Cactus League games per manager Scott Servais, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Marte finished 2021, his first professional season, at High-A Everett, slashing .290/.333/.419 over eight contest after a productive 99-game tenure at Low-A Modesto. The 20-year-old shortstop is a significant part of the organization's long-term plans, so even though Seattle would reportedly like to add one more impact pitcher, it would be highly hesitant to part with Marte, who's primed to gain some valuable seasoning against big-league arms in spring training.