MLB Player News

Padres manager Mike Shildt indicated last week that he could eventually discuss a possible position switch with Bogaerts, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Shildt said that Bogaerts is projected to play shortstop in 2024 "right now" but added that he will talk with the 31-year-old soon and indicated that an eventual move to the right side of the infield -- presumably second base -- would be discussed. Bogaerts actually graded out well defensively at shortstop for the second year in a row in 2023, but Ha-Seong Kim is viewed as the superior defender there and top shortstop prospect Jackson Merrill could be ready before long.

The Padres plan to play Merrill both at shortstop and in the outfield during spring training, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Merrill is a good defender at shortstop and might be the future at the position for the Padres. However, Xander Bogaerts is expected to play there in 2024 and the team is light on established options in the outfield, so Merrill may have a clearer path to reaching the big leagues if he can emerge as a viable defender in the outfield. Merrill already made five starts in left field in 2023 with Double-A San Antonio and has the athleticism to handle center field if the Padres want to go that route. There's no indication at this point that a long-term position switch is on the table for the top prospect, but it's something to monitor in spring training.

Soto was designated for assignment by the Angels on Saturday, Taylor Blake Ward of The Sporting Tribune reports.

Soto has managed a .946 OPS over 71 plate appearances at the major-league level, but a .670 OPS in the minors is closer to his real ability. The 23-year-old offers a solid glove at multiple infield positions, so it's possible he'll draw some interest on waivers.

Lux (knee) is a "full go" for spring training, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Lux missed all of last season after tearing the ACL and spraining the MCL in his right knee during a spring training game last year. Despite his extended absence, Lux is on track to begin the new campaign as the Dodgers' primary shortstop, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. The 26-year-old infielder slashed .276/.346/.399 with 42 RBI across 471 plate appearances in 2022.

Peguero is the favorite to start at second base for the Pirates entering spring training, Jake Crouse of MLB.com reports.

Peguero was promoted to the majors in mid-July and stuck with the team through the close of the 2023 season. He made 33 starts at second base and 39 at shortstop, though Oneil Cruz will be back to handle the latter position in 2024. Peguero will still have to battle with Jared Triolo and Nick Gonzales for playing time at the keystone, but he arguably has the highest long-term upside of the group. That could be enough to convince the Pirates to give him a long look to begin the season, even after he struck out at a 28.1 percent clip with a 64 wRC+ in his first significant taste of the majors.

Seager underwent surgery Tuesday to repair a sports hernia, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

Seager initially suffered the injury during the postseason and the hope was that it would heal with some extended rest over the offseason. That didn't happen, however, so the decision was made to have the operation. The Rangers are hopeful that Seager will be ready in time for Opening Day, but if he's not, Ezequiel Duran would figure to see extra playing time in the early going. Seager was the runner-up for American League MVP in 2023 and captured World Series MVP honors during Texas' run to the title.

Castillo was designated for assignment by the Yankees on Monday.

The move frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for waiver claim Matt Gage. Castillo himself was a waiver claim of the Yankees earlier this month and could be on the move again. The 26-year-old has struggled during his major-league chances but slashed .313/.431/.410 in 556 plate appearances at the Triple-A level in 2023.

Hinojosa signed a minor-league contract with the Rays on Monday that includes an invitation to spring training.

Hinojosa, 29, slashed only .244/.284/.357 over 91 games at Triple-A Jacksonville in the Marlins organization last season. The utility infielder has yet to make an appearance in the majors and figures to operate primarily as organizational filler for Tampa Bay.

Correa said over the weekend at the TwinsFest fan event that he "started turning the curve" with the recovery from his left foot injury in mid- to late-December, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Correa played through plantar fasciitis in his foot for the bulk of the 2023 season and didn't do any running or sprinting early on in the offseason. He admitted that the recovery "took longer than expected," but he's running, sprinting and hitting without issue now and has declared himself ready to go for spring training. Correa slashed just .230/.312/.399 with 18 home runs and 65 RBIs in 580 plate appearances last season while battling through the nagging foot issue starting in mid-May. Plantar fasciitis is an injury that can flare up again, which is worrisome, but Correa should be in line for a bounce-back 2024 campaign if he can stay healthy.

The Yankees outrighted Downs to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday.

He's no longer on the 40-man roster but will remain in the organization. Downs had been claimed off waivers earlier this offseason and is a career .182/.260/.273 hitter in 50 career plate appearances at the major-league level.