MLB Player News

Franco failed to respond to a summons filed in the Dominican Republic to address allegations that he had inappropriate relationships with minors, Juan Arturo Recio of ESPN.com reports.

Franco had been summoned by the Specialized Prosecutor's Office for Children and Adolescents for questioning Thursday morning. At least two people have filed legal action against the Rays shortstop and, according to Recio, Franco is also under investigation for an alleged third relationship with a minor. Additionally, the Associated Press has reported that he recently fired his legal team. To this point, no criminal charges have been filed against Franco. Even if that remains the case, he is likely facing a suspension from Major League Baseball.

Franco was summoned by police in the Dominican Republic for questioning Thursday, Enrique Rojas and Juan Arturo Recio of ESPN Deportes report.

The summons came after authorities unsuccessfully searched for the 22-year-old at his two homes in the D.R. on Tuesday. Franco is under investigation by police and Major League Baseball for alleged inappropriate relationships with minors. He was on the restricted list from Aug. 12 through the end of the regular season before being reinstated last month in a procedural move. Whether Franco is ultimately charged criminally remains up in the air, but he is likely facing a lengthy suspension from MLB regardless.

Castillo was designated for assignment by the Diamondbacks on Friday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

The move was made in order to free up a spot on the 40-man roster for the return of Lourdes Gurriel. Castillo received just one plate appearance with Arizona in 2023 but slashed .313/.431/.410 at Triple-A Reno. As a 26-year-old with defensive versatility, Castillo could draw some interest on waivers.

The Yankees claimed Downs off waivers from the Nationals on Tuesday.

Downs had been designated for assignment a week ago and now has landed in his third organization over the last year. The 25-year-old was considered a top-100 prospect when he was acquired by the Red Sox in the Mookie Betts trade, but Downs has slashed just .202/.306/.370 at the Triple-A level.

Fletcher was outrighted to Triple-A Gwinnett by Atlanta on Wednesday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Given the $15.5 million left on his contract, Fletcher was easily going to pass through waivers. It's still possible that he claims a utility infielder job with Atlanta, but now the club will have a bit more 40-man roster flexibility. Fletcher has slashed just .259/.296/.327 in 251 major-league games since the beginning of the 2021 season.

Downs was designated for assignment by the Nationals on Tuesday.

The Nats needed to clear out 40-man roster space in order to finalize their one-year agreements with both Nick Senzel and Dylan Floro. Downs ranked as a top-100 prospect a few years ago, but he's slashed just .182/.260/.273 in 50 career plate appearances at the major-league level and posted an underwhelming .236/.358/.379 batting line across 51 games last season with Triple-A Rochester.

Atlanta acquired Fletcher and Max Stassi (hip/personal) from the Angels on Friday in exchange for Evan White (hip) and Tyler Thomas, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Fletcher enjoyed a mini breakout during the COVID-shortened 2020 season and landed a five-year, $26 million contract extension from the Angels the following spring, but he has slashed just .259/.296/.327 in 251 major-league games since the beginning of the 2021 campaign. The 29-year-old infielder still has a guaranteed $15.5 million left on his deal, which runs through 2025 with an $8 million club option for 2026 and an $8.5 million club option for 2027.

Pirates manager Derek Shelton confirmed Monday that Cruz (ankle) has resumed participating in instructional games in the Dominican Republic this offseason, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Cruz hasn't yet taken part in any official Dominican Winter League games and may not before the 50-game regular season ends in late December, but the fact that he's taking live at-bats again as well as playing the field suggests that he's made a full recovery from the fractured left ankle he suffered April 9. Assuming the 25-year-old avoids any setbacks in his offseason program while he continues to train in the Dominican Republic, he should report to spring training with no restrictions. Though he essentially lost a season of development at the big-league level while recovering from ankle surgery, Cruz has youth in his favor as he looks to bounce back from the major injury. His impressive bat speed and sprint speed has been matched by few players during his time in the majors and should translate to some solid power and stolen-base numbers in 2024 even while he shakes off some rust, but Cruz's lengthy absence didn't do anything to quell the concerns about his plate discipline that existed even before he fractured his ankle.

Grissom could platoon in left field with Jarred Kelenic while also serving as Atlanta's top reserve infielder, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Atlanta wants to get Grissom's bat in the lineup, but it just needs to find a spot for him. He is playing left field in the Puerto Rican Winter League beginning this month, and it seems like he and the lefty-hitting Kelenic will be legitimately competing for at-bats this season. General manager Alex Anthopoulos told reporters Sunday that Kelenic's arrival from Seattle signals an end to their left-field pursuits this winter. If any of Atlanta's infielders get injured, the righty-hitting Grissom could step into more playing time.

McLain said Thursday that his late-season right oblique strain is fully healed, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

McLain landed on the injured list Aug. 28 after straining his right oblique and then suffered a setback just as he was about to return to the Reds in late September. He began light workouts in late October, however, and is now back to full strength here at the end of November. "Things are going good," said the 2023 breakout infielder. "I started to swing, no problems. Lifting, no problems."