MLB Player News

With the Reds trading for Gavin Lux, the likelihood of McLain moving to center field increases, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer suggests.

The Reds made sure that McLain took some reps in center field during the Arizona Fall League in October and November. It's possible that Lux could move off second base -- either to the outfield or third base -- so it's not set in stone that McLain will move.

The Dodgers traded Lux to the Reds on Monday in exchange for Mike Sirota and a Competitive Balance Round A pick, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Lux had garnered trade interest from multiple teams during the offseason including the Yankees and Mariners, per Jon Morosi of MLB Network, and those rumors intensified after the Dodgers signed Hyeseong Kim to a three-year contract this past Friday. Lux could start at second base for the Reds if the club chooses to use Matt McLain in center field or other positions, or Lux himself might bounce around to multiple spots. Lux finished the 2024 regular-season with a slash line of .251/.320/.383 with 10 home runs and 50 RBI across 487 plate appearances.

Grissom is the "nominal favorite" to open next season as the Red Sox' starting second baseman, Sean McAdam of MassLive.com reports.

David Hamilton was Boston's primary second baseman in the second half in 2024 before a fractured finger ended his season in late August. While Hamilton will also be in the running for the starting gig at the keystone in 2025, it sounds like the Red Sox want to give Grissom another look. Grissom slashed only .190/.246/.219 over 31 games with the big club in 2024 while battling numerous injuries, but he closed out the year strong at Triple-A Worcester and will turn just 24 this month. While Grissom might have a slight leg up at second base right now, it's also possible the Red Sox acquire help from outside the organization.

The White Sox designated Shewmake for assignment Wednesday, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.

The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Tyler Gilbert, who was acquired via trade. Shewmake is just 8-for-64 at the plate during his brief time at the major-league level. The 27-year-old can play a capable shortstop and has minor-league options remaining, so it's possible he'll draw interest via trade or waivers.

The Astros designated Kessinger for assignment Monday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for the signing of Christian Walker, which was made official Monday. Kessinger, 27, is 8-for-61 at the plate over the last two seasons in the majors and has a career .694 OPS in the minors, but it's possible he'll draw interest from a team in need of utility infielder depth.

The Marlins acquired Caba and Emaarion Boyd from the Phillies on Sunday in exchange for left-hander Jesus Luzardo (back) and minor-league catcher Paul McIntosh, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Caba was one of Philadelphia's top prospects after signing in the 2022-23 international class and split the 2024 campaign between rookie ball and Single-A Clearwater. He'll likely return to the Single-A level to begin 2025 given his .493 OPS in 26 games there last season, but he showcased a strong eye at the plate with a 14.4 percent walk rate in addition to his plus-glove at shortstop.

The Brewers acquired Durbin and Nestor Cortes from the Yankees on Friday in exchange for Devin Williams, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

The 24-year-old was added to New York's 40-man roster in November in order to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft and was expected to have "a big, big role" in the majors next season, per manager Aaron Boone, but he's instead been shipped out to bring an All-Star closer to the Bronx. Durbin was one of the Yankees' top prospects and should have an immediate path to playing time in Milwaukee following the departure of shortstop Willy Adames. Durbin features a high-contact, low-power bat and had an .867 OPS with 10 homers, 29 stolen bases, a 13.2 percent walk rate and 9.9 percent strikeout rate in 82 games at the Triple-A level in 2024.

Lindor said Wednesday that the back injury he dealt with in September has not been an issue during offseason workouts, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Lindor missed a little over a week of action down the stretch of the regular season with a back problem, but he showed no ill effects during the playoffs with a .275/.387/.490 slash line in 13 games, and it has been a non-issue this offseason. Following his National League MVP runner-up showing in 2024, the star shortstop will likely bat leadoff ahead of Juan Soto in 2025.

The Rangers traded Acosta to the Marlins on Tuesday alongside Echedry Vargas and Brayan Mendoza in exchange for Jake Burger, Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com reports.

In 104 games with Double-A Frisco last season, Acosta slashed .286/.351/.423 with 56 RBI and swiped 26 bags. He was selected to the Rangers' 40-man roster in November to protect him from the upcoming Rule 5 Draft, which means he will now have a spot on Miami's 40-man roster. While the 22-year-old is unlikely to crack the big-league squad out of spring training, a promotion to Triple-A Jacksonville could come in the near future.

Adames passed his physical with the Giants on Tuesday, making his seven-year, $182 million contract with the team official, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The Giants and Adames agreed to the lucrative deal Saturday, one he earned in large part due to the career-high 32 home runs and 112 RBI he compiled across 161 regular-season games with the Brewers in 2024. The star shortstop's contract is the largest in team history, and he'll be formally introduced at a news conference Thursday.