MLB Player News

Swanson went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays.

The shortstop turned on a Shane McClanahan pitch in the second inning and drove it completely out of CoolToday Park. Swanson delivered a career-high 27 homers and 88 RBI last season, and the 28-year-old will be counted on to supply similar or better numbers for Atlanta in 2022 as the club looks to repeat as World Series champions.

Downs was optioned to Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Downs opened camp with the big-league club but will now move over to the minor-league side. The 23-year-old spent last season at Worcester and struggled with a .605 OPS and 32.3 percent strikeout rate in 99 games, and he may need a better showing in 2022 to have chance of making his MLB debut.

Smith, who arrived from the Blue Jays in the Matt Chapman trade Wednesday, is one of the primary candidates to fill the Athletics' third base job, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

The 25-year-old was in line to compete for the Blue Jays' starting third base job before the trade, and he now reportedly has a strong chance of succeeding the player he was moved for. Smith has logged plenty of time at shortstop during his minor-league career, and he's already made 14 big-league appearances at the hot corner, all last season. Smith struggled with the bat during his 18-game cup of coffee with Toronto (.094/.194/.188), but he'd earned the promotion courtesy of his .285 average, .931 OPS, 52 extra-base hits and 69 RBI in 94 games at Triple-A Buffalo.

Berti and the Marlins avoided arbitration Tuesday by agreeing to a one-year, $1.2 million deal, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Berti will nearly double his salary despite the fact that he's coming off his worst season at the plate. After two years as an above-average hitter, he slumped to a .210/.311/.313 line last season, good for a 79 wRC+.

Turner agreed to a one-year, $21 million contract with the Dodgers on Tuesday to avoid arbitration, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

The 28-year-old was acquired from the Nationals ahead of the 2021 trade deadline and is in his final year of arbitration eligibility before hitting free agency. Turner played second base for the Dodgers last year but is back at shortstop for 2022 due to the departure of Corey Seager, who signed with the Rangers.

Williams was designated for assignment on Tuesday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Williams had a memorable moment last season, hitting a walkoff homer in his first career start. His overall performance wasn't particularly impressive, however, as he hit .245/.315/.316 with a zero percent barrel rate in 108 trips to the plate. His defensive versatility and youth could nonetheless make him interesting enough for another team to claim off waivers. The move clears a roster spot for the newly-signed Nick Castellanos.

Crawford and the Mariners avoided arbitration Tuesday by agreeing to a one-year, $4.85 million contract, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

Crawford will more than double his salary in his second year of arbitration eligibility. While his profile is still driven by his defense, he's coming off a year in which he produced an above-average batting line for the first time, as his .273/.338/.376 triple slash was good for a 103 wRC+.

Adames agreed to a one-year, $4.6 million deal with the Brewers on Tuesday to avoid arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

It's a solid payday for Adames in his first year of arbitration eligibility. He's slated to start at shortstop for the Brewers this year after hitting .285/.366/.521 with 20 homers, 61 runs and 58 RBI in 99 games after being acquired from the Rays last May.

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+.

DeJong is ahead of Edmundo Sosa for the starting shortstop job, John Denton of MLB.com

Manager Oli Marmol entered spring with the mindset that the starting gig at shortstop was Dejong's to lose. So far, DeJong is 1-for-5 with a run scored in three games in spring training, though Marmol has been satisfied with his hitting process if not the results. Both DeJong and Sosa are right-handed hitters, so it's unlikely this develops into a platoon, though the latter could also challenge Tommy Edman for playing time at second base.