MLB Player News

Pirates manager Derek Shelton confirmed Saturday that Cruz is fully recovered from left ankle surgery, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Shelton was asked about Cruz during the team's PiratesFest fan event and said the shortstop is "healthy" and "moving around." The 25-year-old wasn't able to make it back before the end of the season after undergoing surgery in early April to repair a fractured left fibula. Cruz did play in some instructional league games in the Dominican Republic, though, and should head into spring training without any restrictions. With a full season of health, Cruz represents a tantalizing fantasy talent.

The Mets claimed Castillo off waivers from Arizona on Friday, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Castillo was designated for assignment in December after Lourdes Gurriel re-signed with the D-backs, and Castillo will now move across the country to join New York. The 26-year-old made just one plate appearance in the majors last year while slashing .313/.431/.410 with 72 RBI in Triple-A. He'll likely begin the year at Triple-A Syracuse.

Franco has been charged with commercial sexual exploitation and money laundering in the Dominican Republic, Juan Arturo Recio of ESPN Deportes reports.

Franco was initially arrested Monday for failing to appear at a summons last week, and now these new charges have officially been revealed. According to Recio, Franco will be under house arrest and prohibited from leaving the country. The 22-year-old will be presented before a judge for the first time Friday.

Franco was arrested by authorities in the Dominican Republic on Monday, Enrique Rojas and Juan Arturo Recio of ESPN.com report.

The arrest is due to the fact that Franco failed to appear at a summons last week. Franco appeared voluntarily Monday with his new lawyers as he was questioned regarding allegedly having had a relationship with a minor. The 22-year-old will be presented before a judge within 48 hours of his arrest and in the meantime will remain in the custody of the Puerto Plata Prosecutor's Office. In addition to being investigated by police in the Dominican Republic, Franco is also being investigated by Major League Baseball.

Franco met with authorities in the Dominican Republic on Monday, Kristie Ackert of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

He no-showed after a summons last week, but evidently that was because Franco had fired his former lawyers and they were unable to present the summons to the shortstop. Franco has since hired new representation and they were present at Monday's meeting. The 22-year-old is being investigated by police in the Dominican Republic and Major League Baseball for alleged inappropriate relationships with minors.

Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said Saturday that the team views Grissom as its everyday second baseman, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Grissom is also capable of playing shortstop and third base and was used some in left field during winter ball this offseason. However, the Red Sox have a clear opening at the keystone, which is where they plan to use the youngster after acquiring him from Atlanta. With Grissom around, Enmanuel Valdez now appears pegged for a reserve role or perhaps a trip back to Triple-A Worcester.

Atlanta traded Grissom to the Red Sox on Saturday in exchange for Chris Sale and cash considerations, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Grissom has shown plenty of upside at the plate to begin his MLB career, slashing .287/.339/.407 with five homers and 27 RBI across 236 plate appearances. However, defensive struggles and a myriad of talent on Atlanta's roster kept Grissom from seeing consistent playing time. Now in Boston, the 22-year-old infielder will have a clearer path to regular at-bats, though he may receive competition from Enmanuel Valdez.

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.