Escobar signs 3-year deal with Diamondbacks

The Arizona Diamondbacks have signed infielder Eduardo Escobar to a threeyear, $21 million contract.

Arizona acquired the switch-hitting Escobar from Minnesota on July 27 for three minor league prospects. Between the two teams, the 29-year-old infielder set career highs in home runs (23), doubles (48), walks (52), runs (75), games (151), hits (154) and total bases (277).

He started 144 games, 124 of them at third base, leaving open the question of what will happen when left-handed third baseman Jake Lamb returns from injury.

Escobar got a $500,000 signing bonus. He will earn $6 million next season, $7 million in 2020 and $7.5 million in 2021.

Marlins sign Cuban free-agent Mesa brothers

Top international free agent Victor Victor Mesa and younger brother, Victor Jr., both outfielders from Cuba, have signed with the Miami Marlins.

The agreements were announced at a news conference Monday. The Mesas were recently declared free agents by Major League Baseball, and the Marlins had been widely viewed as front-runners to sign them.

The 22-year-old Victor Victor Mesa started playing in Cuba's top league at 16 and is considered a speedy defensive standout. He played for Cuba in the 2017 World Baseball Classic.

His 17-year-old brother is a switch-hitter who starred for Cuba's 18U national team. Both left Cuba last spring to pursue major league careers, and two weeks ago the brothers tried out for major league scouts at Marlins Park.

Altuve has surgery

Astros second baseman Jose Altuve had surgery on his right knee, one day after Houston was eliminated by Boston in the AL Championship Series. Houston announced the operation on Saturday and did not say where it took place Friday. The Astros said he is expected to be ready for spring training.

He was on the disabled list for the first time this year, missing 21 games while sidelined from July 28 to Aug. 21. Altuve hit .316 with 13 homers and 61 RBIs.