MLB Player News

Rojas (wrist) was traded from the Marlins to the Dodgers on Wednesday in exchange for minor-league infielder Jacob Amaya (undisclosed), Jim Bowden of The Athletic reports.

The veteran shortstop had a .606 OPS in 140 games for Miami last season, and the club opted to ship him elsewhere after adding Jean Segura to the infield mix. Rojas' calling card is his defense, and he's unlikely to have much fantasy utility even if he has an everyday role for Los Angeles. The 33-year-old underwent wrist surgery in October but should be ready for the start of spring training.

Correa passed his physical, and the Twins are expected to officially announce his signing to a six-year, $200 million contract later Wednesday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

For most free agents who come to terms with teams on a contract, the physical exam is usually a formality, but Correa's ability to pass his medical tests is noteworthy after he previously had deals with the Giants and Mets fall through earlier this winter due to reported concern about a previous surgery he had back in 2014 to address a fractured right fibula. Given that the Twins had a chance to get an extended evaluation while Correa played for the team on a one-year, $35.1 million deal last season, they were evidently more comfortable than the Giants or Mets in handing the 28-year-old shortstop a lavish new contract. Though Correa is guaranteed $200 million in the deal through the 2028 season, his contract contains playing time-based vesting options from the 2029 through 2032 seasons that could net him up to an additional $70 million.

Story underwent an internal bracing procedure on the UCL in his right elbow Monday and is likely to open the 2023 season on the injured list, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

The procedure is an alternative to Tommy John surgery and should carry a shorter recovery time, though Story is nonetheless still expected to miss time. The Red Sox have yet to announce when they expect him back, though players typically take 4-to-6 months to return from the surgery, per Jeff Passan of ESPN.com. That timeline indicates Story could return to game action sometime between mid-May and mid-July. The timing is particularly bad for the Red Sox, as Story had been expected to slide back to shortstop following the departure of Xander Bogaerts. Enrique Hernandez may be asked to step into the middle infield, though that would create a new hole in center field.

Correa agreed to a six-year, $200 million deal with the Twins on Tuesday, pending a physical, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

The "pending a physical" part of this news carries far more weight than it does for most similar announcements, as Correa has already agreed to deals with both the Giants and Mets this winter, only for both to fall through following a medical examination. The Twins are presumably more comfortable with Correa's medicals, having just seen him up close for a full season, and they're also only on the hook through the shortstop's age-33 season. If Correa's troublesome ankle doesn't turn out to be an issue, he could remain a Twin for another decade, as the contract also contains a vesting option for a further four years.

Correa and the Mets are slated to resume contract negotiations soon, Dan Martin of The New York Post reports.

The two sides agreed to hit pause on talks over the holidays but are ready to start things up again now that we've reached the new year. At issue, of course, is the condition of Correa's surgically-repaired right ankle, an old injury which was flagged during physicals with the Giants and then the Mets. There seems to be optimism that the Mets and Correa will be able to work something out, although it's far from a guarantee.

The Mets have yet to formally announce Correa's signing after an issue cropped up during the star infielder's physical exam Thursday and Friday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

According to Heyman, the holdup in making Correa's 12-year, $315 million deal official is concern about the right ankle he had surgically repaired in 2014. The ankle issue is what originally prompted the Giants to back off from signing Correa to a previously agreed-upon 13-year, $350 million deal last week, which allowed the Mets to swoop in and come to terms with the 28-year-old. Though another team could theoretically re-enter negotiations with Correa, both his camp and the Mets are optimistic that a contract will be finalized coming out of the holiday. Assuming Correa ultimately puts pen to paper on a deal, he'll be installed as the Mets' everyday third baseman, allowing Francisco Lindor to continue playing shortstop.

Castillo was acquired by the Diamondbacks from the Pirates on Friday in exchange for minor-league right-hander Scott Randall.

Castillo had been designated for assignment earlier this week. The 25-year-old had an uneven rookie season in 2022 while splitting time between the Pirates and Triple-A Indianapolis, finishing with a .633 OPS and 11 homers with the big club. He's got an interesting bat and is versatile, though, making him a worthy acquisition by Arizona. Castillo will attempt to win a spot on the Diamondbacks' Opening Day roster.

Downs (ankle) was claimed off waivers by the Nationals on Thursday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

The former top prospect has found a new home after being designated for assignment by the Red Sox last week. Downs has seen his star fade after managing just a .661 OPS at the Triple-A level the last two seasons. He's only 24, though, and lands in a good situation on the rebuilding Nationals.

Crawford will remain at shortstop in 2023 after Carlos Correa's agreement with the Giants fell through, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The Giants had an introductory press conference scheduled for Correa on Tuesday, but something came up during his physical examination, and the 28-year-old is now joining the Mets. Crawford was slated to play a position other than shortstop for the first time in his MLB career, but he'll instead remain at the position for the final year of his contract in 2023. The Giants could technically still sign another shortstop, but a notable acquisition is unlikely with all the top options already off the market. Crawford appeared in 118 games last season and played through knee inflammation, and he had a .231/.308/.344 slash line with nine home runs and 52 RBI.

Correa agreed Wednesday with the Mets on a 12-year, $315 million contract after his previous deal with the Giants fell through due to an unspecified issue that arose during his physical, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

A week ago, Correa and the Giants came to terms on a 13-year, $350 million contract that was expected to be formally announced Tuesday, but San Francisco elected to postpone the signing due to the medical concern. Because that deal with the Giants was never finalized, the Mets were able to swoop in and quickly come to terms with Correa, who loses an extra year and $35 million in the new pact yet still becomes the seventh player in MLB history to sign a free-agent contract worth north of $300 million. With two-time Gold Glove Award winner Francisco Lindor entrenched as the Mets' everyday shortstop, Correa has agreed to play third base and should quickly gain eligibility at the position early in the 2023 season. Correa won't benefit from much of an upgrade with the change from San Francisco's Oracle Park to New York's Citi Field since both ballparks have historically skewed more pitcher-friendly, but the 28-year-old should see a boost in his run and RBI projections while batting in the heart of a Mets lineup that would seem to be much stronger than the Giants', at least on paper.