MLB Player News

Roberts (elbow) signed a minor-league contract with the Cubs on Saturday.

Roberts was non-tendered by the Cubs last month but is now back in the fold as organizational relief depth. The 26-year-old right-hander did not pitch in 2023 while recovering from Tommy John surgery, though he is expected to be fully recovered by the beginning of spring training in 2024.

Heller signed a minor-league contract with the Pirates on Tuesday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Heller, 32, posted a 3.86 ERA and 16:11 K:BB over 18.2 innings in 2023 with Atlanta. He'll provide Pittsburgh with some right-handed relief depth.

Carlson (ankle) has been cleared for running and baseball activities, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Carlson underwent left ankle surgery in September and is currently rehabbing in the Phoenix area. In addition to ramping up his baseball activities, the switch-hitter is also working on his swing with a coach from Driveline. Carlson is currently projected as the Cardinals' fourth outfielder but has been mentioned as a possible trade chip.

Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns indicated Monday that he expects the team's starting third baseman to come out of the group of Mauricio, Brett Baty and Mark Vientos, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Stearns also noted that he's not viewing any of the trio of players as a frontrunner for the gig, and it's possible no winner will be declared by Opening Day. The Mets have said Jeff McNeil will be confined mostly to second base, which would indicate that if Mauricio receives everyday at-bats then it would likely come at the hot corner. It's certainly a position battle to keep a close eye on during spring training.

The Mets plan for McNeil to see the bulk of his playing time at second base in 2024, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

McNeil started 57 games in the outfield in 2023, but it sounds like that number probably won't be nearly as high in 2024. He missed the final weekend of the season after being diagnosed with a partial UCL tear in his right elbow, but Nimmo is healthy now and having a normal offseason, per Abbey Mastracco of the New York Daily News. McNeil was going to be playing every day regardless, but the fact that it will come at second base could impact the playing time of Brett Baty and/or Ronny Mauricio.

Mathias (shoulder) signed a minor-league contract with the Reds on Nov. 29.

Mathias, 29, sports a career .246/.317/.391 batting line over parts of three major-league seasons for four different teams. His 2023 campaign ended in mid-August due to a shoulder injury and it's not clear what his current health status is.

Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Monday that Garcia is not guaranteed the second base job going into next season, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Garcia battled through a disappointing 2023 campaign, slashing just .266/.304/.385 while spending some time back in the minors. The 23-year-old remains talented and would seem to be the odds-on favorite to man second base on Opening Day for the Nationals, but the gig won't be handed to him. Jake Alu, Ildemaro Vargas and Jeter Downs represent potential alternatives to Garcia at the keystone.

Nationals manager Dave Martinez revealed Monday that Meneses played through a knee injury this season, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

It's not clear when Meneses' knee began bothering him, but Martinez indicated it's a big reason why the 31-year-old was basically a full-time designated hitter. With Dominic Smith no longer around, Martinez would like to use Meneses some at first base in 2024 and possibly even some in the outfield. As for how Meneses is progressing in his recovery from the knee problem, Martinez said the right-handed hitter is "doing a lot of agility stuff" this offseason and "looks good so far."

Pirates manager Derek Shelton confirmed Monday that Cruz (ankle) has resumed participating in instructional games in the Dominican Republic this offseason, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Cruz hasn't yet taken part in any official Dominican Winter League games and may not before the 50-game regular season ends in late December, but the fact that he's taking live at-bats again as well as playing the field suggests that he's made a full recovery from the fractured left ankle he suffered April 9. Assuming the 25-year-old avoids any setbacks in his offseason program while he continues to train in the Dominican Republic, he should report to spring training with no restrictions. Though he essentially lost a season of development at the big-league level while recovering from ankle surgery, Cruz has youth in his favor as he looks to bounce back from the major injury. His impressive bat speed and sprint speed has been matched by few players during his time in the majors and should translate to some solid power and stolen-base numbers in 2024 even while he shakes off some rust, but Cruz's lengthy absence didn't do anything to quell the concerns about his plate discipline that existed even before he fractured his ankle.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Monday that Diaz is "fully healthy" after completing his recovery from the patellar tendon surgery he required on his right knee last March, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Coming off a brilliant 2022 campaign in which he converted 32 of 35 save chances while posting a 1.31 ERA and striking out 118 over 62 innings, Diaz profiled as arguably the top closer in fantasy drafts heading into last spring, but his season was quickly torpedoed before it even started after he injured his knee while celebrating a win for Team Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic. Diaz didn't experience any setbacks while completing what had been expected to be a six-month recovery from surgery, and though he had hoped to pitch at some point in September, the Mets chose not to activate him as they played out the string on a non-contending season. Mendoza wasn't willing to fully commit to Diaz being in store for a normal spring training, but the right-hander is seemingly facing no restrictions in his throwing program so far this offseason and should settle back into the closer's role for the Mets by the time Opening Day arrives.