MLB Player News

Tena will battle with Trey Lipscomb in spring training for the Nationals' starting job at third base, Bobby Blanco of MASN Sports reports.

Tena showed some upside at the plate after being acquired from the Guardians in the Lane Thomas trade last year, slashing .274/.305/.363 over 41 games for the Nats with three homers and six steals in seven attempts. The 23-year-old mostly played shortstop in the minors however, and defensively he has a lot of work to do at the hot corner, committing nine errors on only 87 chances. Lipscomb has the stronger glove, but he stumbled to a .500 OPS in 61 big-league games in 2024. If Tena shows enough improvement in the field during camp, he'll be the favorite to get the nod at third base in the Opening Day lineup. Prospect Brady House could also get a look this spring, but he likely needs more development time at Triple-A before he'll be ready to take over the job.

Williams cleared waivers Friday and was sent outright to Triple-A Indianapolis, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

The 25-year-old infielder was booted off the Pirates' 40-man roster Monday to make room for Tim Mayza, but Williams went unclaimed off waivers and will remain in the organization. He slashed .311/.384/.396 with 13 RBI across 186 plate appearances in Triple-A last season, but he owns just a .529 OPS over his major-league career.

The Orioles outrighted Vazquez to Triple-A Norfolk on Friday.

Vazquez is no longer on the 40-man roster but will remain in the organization after passing through waivers unclaimed. The 25-year-old will provide infield depth at Norfolk.

The White Sox signed Gray to a minor-league contract Friday that includes an invitation to spring training.

Gray, who turns 29 in March, has managed just a .495 OPS in limited action at the big-league level. He had a couple 30-homer seasons during his time with Triple-A Durham in the Rays organization and is going to a talent-deficient roster, so Gray could break camp with the White Sox.

The Giants acquired Basabe from the Rays on Thursday in exchange for cash considerations, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Basabe had been designated for assignment and is now on the move to a new organization. The 24-year-old missed much of 2024 due to injury and, when on the field, slashed only .248/.293/.336 over 66 contests at Triple-A Durham. Basabe is a versatile defender and is projected to serve as utility depth at Triple-A Sacramento.

Baldwin could begin the 2025 season as the White Sox starting shortstop, Chris Getz of MLB.com reports.

The White Sox have a particularly uncertain outlook at shortstop, with Baldwin, Colson Montgomery and Chase Meidroth all potential candidates. Baldwin has the advantage of big-league experience as well as defensive versatility. His big-league debut didn't go well in 2024 -- he maintained a .249 wOBA and 58 wRC+ in 121 plate appearances -- but his ability to play second base and shortstop as well as some outfield should keep him in consideration for a significant role to begin the 2025 campaign.

The Yankees have invited Lombard to major-league spring training.

Lombard, who was a first-round draft pick by New York in 2023, isn't expected to have a legitimate chance of breaking camp with the big club, but he'll gain some valuable experience by rubbing elbows with major-leaguers during camp. The shortstop spent most of 2024 in High-A ball, recording a .235/.351/.355 slash line with five home runs, 38 RBI, 46 runs and 31 steals in 35 attempts over 365 plate appearances. Lombard is likely at least a couple years away from reaching the majors, though he could be bumped up to the Double-A level at some point during the coming season.

De Los Santos cleared waivers Wednesday and was sent outright to Triple-A Syracuse, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

De Los Santos, 26, slashed .260/.375/.441 with 16 RBI across 152 plate appearances with Toronto's Triple-A affiliate last season. His minor-league success failed to translate into the majors, however, as he went 5-for-29 at the plate in 13 games with the Blue Jays.

The Yankees claimed Shewmake off waivers from the Royals on Wednesday.

Shewmake has now gone from the White Sox to the Royals and now to the Yankees via waivers since early January. The 27-year-old is just 8-for-64 at the plate during his brief time at the big-league level but has a good defensive reputation. Shewmake will likely begin the year at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Holliday said last week that he's worked on improving his speed this offseason and is "trying to make that a priority, to be able to steal bases," Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Holliday added that he's been doing strength training, as well, and is "definitely as strong as I've ever been." The 20-year-old ranked in the 95th percentile in sprint speed in 2024 but stole only four bases in 60 games. Of course, he got on base at only a .255 clip, so Holliday will have to make strides at the plate before he can even think about running more. Holliday did steal 24 bases in 2023 in the minors, so the ability to be a factor on the basepaths seems to be there.