MLB Player News

The Pirates have extended Griffin an invitation to big-league camp during spring training.

Arguably the top prospect in all of baseball, Griffin tore through three levels of the minors in 2025, slashing .333/.415/.527 with 21 home runs and 65 stolen bases in his first pro season. The expectation is that he will be given a real shot to win the Pirates' Opening Day shortstop job, and if that happens, Griffin -- who turns 20 in late April -- would be the first position player to make his big-league debut as a teenager since Juan Soto in 2018.

Lux was traded from the Reds to the Rays in a three-team deal Thursday that also includes the Angels, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports. Chris Clark is also headed to Tampa Bay in the trade, with Brock Burke going to Cincinnati and Josh Lowe to Anaheim.

Lux is set to play out his final year of arbitration eligibility in 2026, making it surprising that the Rays seemingly targeted him in this deal. He should have a strong chance to serve on the large side of a platoon at second base, and that platoon is likely to be stricter in Tampa Bay compared to his situation in Cincinnati.

The Cubs claimed Cowles off waivers from the White Sox on Thursday.

Cowles went from the Cubs to the White Sox via waivers in September, and he's now headed back in the other direction. The infielder slashed only .235/.300/.371 with nine homers and 18 steals at the Triple-A level in 2025. Slated to turn 26 in February, Cowles is likely ticketed for Triple-A Iowa to start off the 2026 season.

The Orioles designated Luciano for assignment Thursday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Luciano will enter the waiver process for the second time this winter to create room on Baltimore's 40-man roster for Jose Suarez. Luciano, 24, slashed .214/.335/.413 across 555 plate appearances with the Giants' Triple-A affiliate last season and doesn't have any minor-league options remaining.

Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said Thursday that Shaw could be used some in the outfield this season, Mike McGraw of the Chicago Daily Herald reports.

If the Cubs hang on to Nico Hoerner rather than trade him following the signing of Alex Bregman, Shaw's best shot at regular playing time would be in a super utility role. All 114 starts for Shaw with the Cubs in 2025 came at third base, but the 24-year-old also has significant experience at second base and shortstop, and he played the outfield some in college and in summer ball. It's also possible the Cubs use Shaw as a trade chip in order to supplement their roster elsewhere.

Alexander is expected to shift to a utility role following the Diamondbacks' acquisition of third baseman Nolan Arenado, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.

Alexander finished up the 2025 season as Arizona's primary third baseman after Eugenio Suarez was traded to the Mariners at the trade deadline. Until the Arenado news, Alexander was the nominal starter at the hot corner. He now moves back into a utility role, which will include opportunities in the outfield. The Diamondbacks will be without left fielder Lourdes Gurriel (knee) for much of the first half of 2026 and will want a right-handed complement to Alek Thomas in center field. The team may also deploy him in a rotation at DH. That's in addition to Alexander's ability to back up at three infield positions. His main competition for playing time will be Jordan Lawlar, although general manager Mike Hazen believes both will be able to impact the club "in a number of different ways."

The Rays designated Cheng for assignment Monday.

Cheng was claimed off waivers by the Rays last week, but he'll lose his spot on the 40-man roster in order to make room for Brett Wisely and Ken Waldichuk. The 24-year-old went hitless in a brief stint with the Pirates last season and slashed just .209/.307/.271 at Triple-A Indianapolis.

Lawlar is expected to play center field in addition to reps in the infield during spring training, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

After seeing Lawlar's struggles at third base last season, the Diamondbacks gave him center field reps during the Dominican Winter League but not a ton, according to Gilbert. As such, the organization will give him a serious look there this spring. There's a need in the outfield after Arizona traded Jake McCarthy to Colorado for right-handed pitching prospect Josh Grosz. That move, along with Lourdes Gurriel (knee) possibly missing the first half of the season, leaves the outfield in a state of uncertainty. Corbin Carroll will hold down right field while Alek Thomas is likely to start in center field against righties. Beyond that, Lawlar is in the mix along with Blaze Alexander, Jorge Barrosa, Tim Tawa and possibly top prospect Ryan Waldschmidt.

Volpe (shoulder) agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Yankees to avoid arbitration Thursday, Jack Curry of YES Network reports.

Volpe is recovering from shoulder surgery and won't be ready to begin the 2026 season. This was the shortstop's first year of arbitration eligibility, and he'll see a raise of about $2.6 million from 2025 after posting a .212/.272/.391 slash line with 19 homers and 18 steals in 153 regular-season games.

McLain agreed to a one-year, $2.3 million contract with the Reds on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

McLain missed the entire 2024 season while recovering from shoulder and rib injuries, but he was healthy for the start of last season. He started strong with three home runs and five RBI through the first four games, though that momentum was halted when he landed on the IL briefly due to a hamstring strain. That turned out to be his only stint on the IL in 2025, and he finished the regular season with a .643 OPS, 15 home runs, 50 RBI, 18 stolen bases and 73 runs over 577 plate appearances while appearing in 147 games. With a full season under his belt, McLain is expected to enter the 2026 campaign as the Reds' everyday second baseman.