MLB Player News

Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said Monday that Baty could be used in a utility role next season, Abbey Mastracco of the New York Daily News reports.

Baty was used some at second base in the minors last season and Stearns has previously mentioned the outfield as a possibility for the 25-year-old, so the hints at a potential utility role had been there. Of course, Baty's name has also been brought up in trade rumors and his most likely role for the Mets at this point might be as a trade chip.

Manager Derek Shelton said Monday that Rodriguez (elbow) is expected to be fully healthy for the start of spring training, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Rodriguez was sidelined for the entire 2024 campaign after undergoing surgery to repair the UCL and flexor tendon in his right elbow in December of 2023. He was able to progress in his recovery enough to go on a rehab assignment with Double-A Altoona in September, and it appears the 24-year-old right-hander will be able to report for the start of spring training. Rodriguez played in 57 regular-season games for the Pirates in 2023 and finished with a slash line of .220/.284/.328 with three home runs and 13 RBI over 204 plate appearances.

Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said Monday that the team views Vientos as its third baseman right now, Abbey Mastracco of the New York Daily News reports.

"Right now" is key, of course, as the Mets seem virtually certain to acquire a corner infielder and that will help determine whether Vientos plays the hot or cold corner. Regardless of the position he plays, Vientos is going to occupy a spot in the middle of the Mets' lineup, perhaps batting third after Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto.

Giants manager Bob Melvin said Monday that Lee (shoulder) will have no restrictions at the start of spring training, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Lee is right at the end of a six-month timetable that was provided following surgery in June to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder. It's not clear what kind of workouts Lee is able to do currently, but it would appear there are no concerns about his readiness for the beginning of camp and Opening Day. The 26-year-old slashed .262/.310/.331 with two home runs and two stolen bases in his first 37 games for the Giants before going under the knife. He's projected to be the Giants' center fielder and likely leadoff man next season.

Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said Monday that the team plans for Edman to be its center fielder next season, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Edman offers the versatility to move around to multiple positions, if needed, and that might be required during the season. However, at this early stage of the offseason, the plan is for the switch hitter to see most of his action in center field. Edman -- who signed a five-year, $74 million contract extension in late November -- slashed .237/.294/.417 in 37 regular-season games and .328/.354/.508 in 16 postseason contests for the Dodgers.

General manager David Stearns said Monday that Blackburn (back) is on track to be ready for Opening Day of the 2025 season, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Blackburn was diagnosed with a cerebrospinal fluid leak in mid-September, which required him to undergo surgery Oct. 11. Barring any setbacks, the timeline for that surgery typically takes 4-to-5 months, and based on Stearns' comments Monday, it appears the 31-year-old right-hander will be ready to pitch for the start of the regular season. Blackburn started 14 regular-season games between the Mets and A's last season and posted a 5-4 record with a 4.66 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 59:21 K:BB across 75.1 innings, though whether he works out of the Mets' rotation or bullpen next year has yet to be determined.

Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said Monday that the plan is for Betts to play shortstop next season, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

The team had previously said Betts would move back to the infield, and now it is offering more specificity regarding Betts' position. With Betts handling shortstop, that means Gavin Lux is currently the projected starter at second base and Miguel Rojas is slated for a reserve role.

Giants president of baseball operations Buster Posey confirmed Monday that Hicks will go back into the rotation in 2025, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

It had been the plan and the Giants will not deviate from it even as Hicks struggled to hold up both from a performance and health standpoint in 2024 while making 20 of 29 appearances as a starting pitcher. Hicks finished the year with a 4.01 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 90:41 K:BB over 98.2 frames during his time in the Giants' rotation. He did finish with 109.2 innings, theoretically better setting him up to handle a starter's workload in 2025.

Giants president of baseball operations Buster Posey said Monday that he sees Fitzgerald as the team's regular second baseman next season, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Posey couldn't comment on the Willy Adames signing yet because it's not official, but with Adames aboard Fitzgerald will slide over to the keystone. The position is not foreign to Fitzgerald, who started four games at second base for the Giants in 2024 and 87 during his time in the minors. Fitzgerald had a mini-breakout with San Francisco this season, slashing .280/.334/.497 while hitting 15 homers and stealing 17 bases over 96 games.

The Phillies agreed to a one-year, $8.5 million contract with Romano (elbow) on Monday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Romano was non-tendered by the Blue Jays last month but winds up getting a little more than what he was projected to receive via arbitration. The 31-year-old was limited to just 15 appearances in 2024 due to a right elbow issue which eventually required surgery, and he allowed 10 runs across 13.2 innings in those appearances. However, Romano is expected to be recovered in time for spring training and he was one of the better relievers in baseball from 2021 to 2023, collecting a 2.37 ERA and 30.3 percent strikeout rate while notching 95 saves. If healthy, he'll be a candidate to see save chances for the Phillies in 2025.