MLB Player News

Turner agreed to terms Tuesday with the Cubs on a one-year, $6 million contract, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

The 40-year-old Turner will join the eighth organization of his career in 2025 after he slashed .259/.354/.383 with 11 home runs over 139 games between the Blue Jays and Mariners last season. Mooney relays that it's "unclear to what extent" the Cubs might consider Turner as an option at third base, where top prospect Matt Shaw (oblique) is the favorite to win the job. The Cubs' plan for now seems to be for Turner to see most of his playing time on the short side of a platoon at first base with Michael Busch, while also getting occasional starts at designated hitter.

Crews projects to be Washington's No. 2 hitter this season, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

Crews made 17 starts at leadoff hitter and six starts in the No. 2 spot last year, in addition to some starts further down the lineup. However, with CJ Abrams expected to lead off, Crews projects to hit second. While Crews is a good hitting prospect, it's his stolen-base potential that is so alluring for 2025, as he stole 12 bases in 31 games last year and his 5.6 percent attempt rate ranked seventh in the majors, per Statcast.

Cincinnati manager Terry Francona said Tuesday that he wants to give Candelario a shot to start at third base, because it sets the team up better, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Candelario will be one of several players who will see time at the hot corner during spring training. In addition to Candelario, the group includes Gavin Lux, Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Noelvi Marte. Prospect Cam Collier will also be in the mix. Candelario added weight during the offseason, but he said it's redistributed and wants to add another five pounds to help get him through the regular season. He missed the final month-and-a-half of the 2024 season due to a toe injury and appeared in 112 games overall during the campaign.

Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said Tuesday that Sanchez (elbow) will play some center field during spring training, Isaac Azout of FishOnFirst.com reports.

Sanchez didn't play center field at all in 2024, but he started six games there in 2023 and 74 games at the position in 2022. The 27-year-old is still likely to see most of his action in right field in 2025, but it's possible he's used in center field on occasion. Derek Hill and Dane Myers are expected to see most of the reps in center field for the Marlins. Sanchez is currently overcoming right elbow inflammation but is expected to be cleared for full activities soon.

Reynolds said Tuesday that he's focusing on being a right fielder rather than potentially seeing some time at first base, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Reynolds began working out at first base in September as the Pirates kicked around the idea of using him there at least on a part-time basis. However, even after the injury to Spencer Horwitz (wrist/thumb), it does not sound like Reynolds is being considered as an option to play first base. Fantasy leaguers should not be counting on the 30-year-old gaining dual eligibility.

Reds manager Terry Francona said Tuesday that Lux will start at second base in Saturday's Cactus League game against the Guardians, then move to third base for Sunday's exhibition clash against the Brewers, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports. Earlier in the day, Francona indicated he wants Matt McLain to be the team's primary second baseman.

There was offseason chatter about McLain moving to center field, which suggested Lux would find a permanent role at second base, but Francona's plans for the start of Cactus League play indicate otherwise. The manager said earlier in camp that Lux will see time at all the infield base positions as well as outfield during spring training. He's expected to serve on the dirt for the first part of the spring schedule before the manager exposes him to the outfield.

Flexen and the Cubs agreed on a minor-league contract Monday, pending a physical, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

Flexen will join the Cubs organization after compiling a 4.95 ERA and 1.52 WHIP with 123 strikeouts over 160 innings in 33 appearances, including 30 starts, with the White Sox in 2024. The right-hander will now have a chance to prove himself with the team at spring training.

Kepler (knee) faced live pitching Sunday and appears to be back to full health for spring training, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

While with the Twins last season, Kepler didn't play after Sept. 1 due to left patellar tendinitis as well as a sore hip, but neither injury is believed to have affected his offseason workouts. After hitting free agency in the winter, Kepler inked a one-year, $10 million deal with the Phillies and is likely to slot in as a strong-side platoon player in the corner outfield. The 31-year-old slashed .253/.302/.380 with eight home runs, 42 RBI and 43 runs over his 105 games with the Twins in 2024.

Beck is being considered the lead candidate to begin the 2025 season as the team's starting right fielder, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Saunders notes that the Rockies enter spring camp excited about Beck and the opportunity he has in front of him to take a step forward in 2025 after struggling to a .188 average with three home runs, 13 RBI, seven stolen bases and 14 runs during his rookie campaign (55 games). "We have some good, exciting talent coming up," said manager Bud Black. "Now it's a matter of when they pop." Beck is feeling confident in his ability to land the starting job, stating "I just need to go out there and play because I know what I can do. I can hit singles, I can hit doubles and I can hit homers. I can steal bases and I can play good defense. I don't think it has to be more complicated than that."

Perdomo agreed to a four-year, $45 million contract extension with the Diamondbacks on Monday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

The club is getting a great deal on Perdomo's services in 2025 after agreeing to a $2.55 million contract to avoid arbitration. That number will jump to $5 million in 2026, $8 million in 2027, $11 million in 2028 and $13 million in 2029, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post. The 25-year-old shortstop is coming off the best season of his young big-league career, batting .273 with three home runs, 37 RBI, nine stolen bases on 10 attempts and 61 runs scored over 98 games. Perdomo's combination of strong shortstop defense and good plate skills (11.3 percent walk rate, .349 OBP over the last two years) allows him to provide more real-life value than fantasy value.