MLB Player News

Buchanan signed a minor-league contract with the Phillies on Tuesday that includes an invite to major-league spring training.

Buchanan had a 5.01 ERA in 35 starts for the Phillies between 2014 and 2015, but he's spent the past number of years playing overseas in Japan and Korea. The 34-year-old righty started 30 games for the Samsung Lions of the KBO last season and had a 2.54 ERA and 139:43 K:BB across 188 innings.

Castillo was designated for assignment by the Phillies on Tuesday.

Castillo was claimed off waivers by Philly early last week but won't stick on the 40-man roster. The 26-year-old spent last season at the Triple-A level and had an .841 OPS in 124 contests. Kaleb Ort, who was claimed off waivers from the Marlins, will take Castillo's place on the Phillies' roster.

Ort was claimed off waivers by the Phillies on Tuesday.

The 32-year-old was designated for assignment by the Marlins last week and will now join his fourth team of the offseason. Ort made 21 appearances for the Red Sox last season and had a 6.26 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 24:9 K:BB across 23 innings.

Ashcraft indicated Tuesday that he's still not quite 100 percent after having surgery on his right big toe in September, Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Ashcraft noted that the toe is "starting to get better" but it will "take its time to get feeling right." The right-hander fully expects to be ready to go come Opening Day, but it sounds like he could be a little behind other Reds pitchers in camp. Ashcraft posted a 4.76 ERA and 111:52 K:BB across 145.2 innings covering 26 starts in 2023.

Marte is not yet running at full speed after suffering a hamstring strain in late November in the Dominican Winter League, Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

It sounds like Marte is recovered from his injury, but the Reds are having him ramp things up slowly in camp to be safe. The 22-year-old played a bit at shortstop and second base in addition to third base last season with the Reds, but he'll focus mainly on the hot corner this spring as he attempts to win that job. Marte slashed an impressive .316/.366/.456 in 35 contests for Cincinnati in 2023.

India is going through a ramp-up progression after having a setback with the plantar fasciitis in his left foot this offseason, Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

India missed nearly two months of action during the second half of the 2023 season with the injury and it popped back up again over the winter, affecting his offseason workouts. The 27-year-old took batting practice and fielded ground balls Tuesday and the foot "feels fine and he feels no pain," Reds general manager Brad Meador said, adding that India just needs to build up endurance at this point. While it does seem as though he's currently trending in a positive direction, the nagging injury and uncertain playing time outlook for India creates a cloudy fantasy forecast.

Reds manager David Bell said Tuesday that De La Cruz will focus on playing shortstop during spring training, Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

De La Cruz was used at third base in addition to shortstop during his time with the Reds last season, but the plan is for him to settle in at short this spring and during the regular season. Also worth noting is that the switch hitter has shortened his leg kick from both sides of the plate in hopes that it will help cut down on strikeouts. De La Cruz slashed .235/.300/.410 with 13 home runs, 35 stolen bases and a 33.7 percent strikeout rate over 427 plate appearances with Cincinnati in 2023.

Hopkins was designated for assignment by the Giants on Tuesday, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.

The move frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for Otto Lopez. Hopkins was acquired from the Reds earlier this offseason and now could be on the move again.

Lopez was acquired by the Giants from the Blue Jays on Tuesday in exchange for cash considerations.

Lopez was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays on Friday, and the Giants opted to acquired him via trade rather than risk losing out on a waiver claim. The 25-year-old utility player has just eight big-league games under his belt and struggled offensively at the Triple-A level last season with a .258/.313/.343 slash line in 84 contests.

Vargas is coming into Dodgers camp as a left fielder, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Vargas has been an infielder primarily but has played a little left field the previous two seasons. Whether this is a permanent position switch or just getting the 24-year-old more comfortable in the spot where he has the best shot to see action in 2024 is not clear. Vargas is likely headed to Triple-A Oklahoma City to begin this season either way, as Teoscar Hernandez is pegged as the Dodgers' regular left fielder.