MLB Player News

Cronin (back) was sent outright Friday to Triple-A Rochester, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Cronin passed through waivers unclaimed after being designated for assignment by the Nationals on Monday. The 26-year-old left-hander battled back problems in 2023 and struggled to a 5.02 ERA and 13:14 K:BB in 14.1 innings with Triple-A Rochester. He underwent surgery in August to repair a herniated disc.

The Padres re-signed Carlton (elbow) to a minor-league contract Friday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Carlton was removed from the Padres' 40-man roster earlier this month and elected free agency, but he's now back with the Friars on a minor-league pact. The reliever missed the final three months of this season with an elbow issue, and it's not clear what his current health situation is.

Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said Wednesday that Mauricio will play some third base in the Dominican Winter League, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Mauricio made his major-league debut at second base this past season and that is probably going to be his long-term position in Queens, but the Mets want him to continue building his defensive versatility as he participates in winter ball for the third year in a row. The talented young infielder could maybe step in at the hot corner next season if Brett Baty is unable to take a significant step forward. Mark Vientos is also an option at third, though he profiles as more of a first baseman or DH moving forward.

Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said Wednesday that Vargas could see more action in the outfield moving forward, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Vargas slumped his way out of the second base job in Los Angeles before the midway point of the 2023 season and the Dodgers have grown more comfortable using Mookie Betts at that position, especially against right-handed pitching. Vargas, accordingly, is going to have to find a different avenue to get back to a regular major-league role in 2024. The 23-year-old boasts a .310/.392/.487 career minor-league batting line and remains an important long-term piece for the reigning NL West champs. He made seven starts in left field down the stretch this summer with Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said Wednesday that McNeil had an encouraging recent checkup on his left elbow, Abbey Mastracco of the New York Daily News reports.

McNeil missed the final weekend of the 2023 regular season after being diagnosed with a partial UCL tear, but the expectation remains that he'll be able to avoid surgery and bring a clean bill of health into 2024. The 31-year-old seems to be responding well to platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment.

Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said Thursday that Davis will enter spring training as a catcher, Kevin Gorman of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

Davis made his major-league debut in right field this past year and only logged two total innings behind the plate, but the Pirates will have him continue working defensively at baseball's shallowest position. Endy Rodriguez projects to open the 2024 campaign as Pittsburgh's primary backstop, with Davis likely again playing mostly in the outfield or at DH, but injuries happen and the Bucs don't want to stunt any sort of development angles for their bright young talent.

Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said Wednesday that he expects Cruz (ankle) to be fully healthy by the start of spring training, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Cruz fractured his left ankle in the ninth game of the 2023 regular season and was unable to return before the end of the year after encountering multiple minor setbacks. He's in a good place now, though, and could even play some winter ball in the Dominican Republic to make up for lost time. "All of the updates we've gotten over the last couple weeks have been encouraging," Cherington said.

Atlanta general manager Alex Anthopoulos said Wednesday that the team is considering moving Grissom to left field, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Grissom has only played shortstop, second base and third base as a professional, but all of those positions are spoken for long term at the major-league level. Atlanta wants to find a clearer path for the 22-year-old, who slashed .330/.419/.501 across 468 plate appearances this past season with Triple-A Gwinnett.

The Giants pulled Bednar from the Arizona Fall League due to recurring back discomfort, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.

Bednar made six appearances in the Fall League before being pulled, surrendering eight runs over 5.1 innings. This isn't the first time Bednar's back has been an issue, as he was limited to just four appearances in the Arizona Complex League this season and hasn't pitched in Single-A since 2022.

President of baseball operations David Stearns said Wednesday that Marte (groin) won't need to undergo surgery during the offseason, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Marte landed on the injured list in early August due to a right groin strain and ended up missing the rest of the season as a result. Not requiring surgery is good news for Marte's spring training availability, although the 35-year-old outfielder is coming off his worst season at the plate statistically after slashing .248/.301/.324 with 28 RBI over 341 plate appearances.