It seems to be a prioritization of roster updates for Franchise mode. A lot of DD players were upset and thinking this leaves them out - but I don't think that's the case. I think it's simply that Franchise will receive more updates on the roster related to how players perform and move throughout the season. Almost what they have been doing for at least the last 5 years. It's vague and doesn't deliver much promise but maybe a good faith attempt to show Franchise player's they're thinking of them.
Completely unrelated - I really enjoy the player models in the game and the realism it delivers - I wrote to SDS asking for transparency on this topic. I also asked them to allow our FaceScans of ourselves to be merged into Franchise mode with our created player and at the very least, they give a lot of DD cards to 25-40 man roster players, so it would be nice in Franchise mode they do the same. Not like the super fancy, gotta grind for it DD cards, but the one's where it's a portrait of a player on their current team. So if Dylan Beavers for example doesn't have a genuine FaceScan, at least when people click on his card, it shows a picture of him. Same with starting pitchers such as Chase Burns, in the load matchup screen. It could be a simple addition to next years game and I may only be speaking for myself but I think a lot of other players of Franchise mode would appreciate it and the realism that it lends to the game.