MLB Player News

Barney felt a tug while taking batting practice and took the day off as a precautionary measure. The Cubs are calling the 26-year-old second baseman “day-to-day.”

Maldonado announced his retirement from baseball in October and has now quickly moved into a coaching position. He will play for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic, but should then begin on a path towards becoming an MLB manager in the future.

The deal is now official. Romano heads to Los Angeles as a potential closer alternative in case hard-throwing youngster Ben Joyce isn’t ready to roll after missing nearly all of last season with a shoulder ailment. He’ll be in the mix for high-leverage opportunities with Robert Stephenson and Drew Pomeranz at the outset of the year. The 32-year-old former Blue Jays stopper fell apart last season in his Phillies debut, posting a calamitous 8.23 ERA — 5.39 FIP — and 47/17 K/BB ratio across 42 2/3 innings over 49 appearances. He’s a worthwhile low-risk gamble for the Angels in the event that he’s able to rediscover his previously elite form. He can be left on the waiver wire in most fantasy leagues heading into next season.

Pomeranz will be in the mix for high-leverage innings with the Angels alongside Robert Stephenson, Jordan Romano and Ben Joyce (shoulder). He’ll vulture the occasional matchup-dependent save but is unlikely to emerge as Los Angeles’ primary stopper. The 37-year-old southpaw was an unexpected revelation for the Cubs this past season, registering a sparkling 2.17 ERA — 3.36 FIP — and 57/15 K/BB ratio across 49 2/3 innings over 57 appearances, during his first stint back in the majors since 2021.

Bregman is originally from Arizona so it doesn’t come as a surprise that the two sides would discuss the possibility of him heading to the desert, especially since the Diamondbacks appear to be at least entertaining the idea of trading second baseman Ketel Marte. The 31-year-old third baseman has drawn widespread interest but it doesn’t appear he’s on the precipice of making a final decision. A return to the Red Sox seems to make the most sense for both parties which makes it a bit surprising that they haven’t been able to reach an agreement.

The deal is now official. Díaz heads to Texas as a high-risk reclamation project after struggling to a bloated 8.15 ERA — 8.51 FIP — and 17/12 K/BB ratio across 17 2/3 innings between the Dodgers and Reds this past season. There’s zero reason to think based on his recent track record that he’ll be allowed anywhere near the ninth inning with the Rangers next season but stranger things have happened.

Milner heads to the Windy City after spending the previous season with the Rangers where he posted a strong 3.84 ERA — 3.39 FIP — and 58/21 K/BB ratio across 70 1/3 innings over 73 appearances. The 34-year-old veteran southpaw has experienced a noticeable decline in both fastball velocity and strikeout percentage last year, but he should remain an effective middle relief option for Chicago on a short-term pact.

He’s back. Martin returns to bolster Texas’ high-leverage mix after compiling a pristine 2.98 ERA — 3.58 FIP — 1.20 WHIP and 48/8 K/BB ratio across 42 1/3 innings over 49 appearances. The durability questions are real, but the 39-year-old’s ability to navigate the most volatile innings in baseball remains firmly intact.

The deal is now official. Mets president David Stearns confirmed Polanco will split time between first base and DH in addition to bouncing around to other infield positions as needed. The 32-year-old veteran is coming off a resurgence this past season with the Mariners where he slashed .265/.326/.495 with 26 home runs, 78 RBI and six steals over 524 plate appearances across 138 games, his highest single-season total since 2021. The omnipresent durability concerns aren’t going to vanish, but it’s a phenomenal landing spot on a short-term deal. With eligibility at second base, one of the thinnest positions in the fantasy landscape, Polanco quietly carries late-round intrigue thanks to his counting-stats upside in New York’s strong lineup.

San Francisco grabs another lottery ticket reliever with Santos heading to the Bay Area following an injury-plagued run with the Mariners where he made just 16 relief appearances over two seasons prior to being non-tendered last month. The 26-year-old durability is the primary concern at this stage of his career, but he’s an experienced high-leverage arm with a wipeout slider. He’ll compete in spring training for a spot in the Giants’ season-opening bullpen mix.

The long-term agreement, which keeps Garcia in Kansas City through at least 2030, is now official. The 25-year-old third baseman took a meaningful step forward in the power department, emerging as one of the most impactful fantasy contributors at the hot corner last season, slashing .286/.351/.449 with a career-high 16 homers and 23 stolen bases across 666 plate appearances over 160 games. He’s quietly solidified himself as a foundational piece for the Royals alongside franchise cornerstone Bobby Witt Jr., and projects as a borderline top-five fantasy option at third base next season even if some regression in over-the-fence pop shows up.