MLB Player News

Schafer has done some nice things as the Astros’ leadoff hitter and table-setter, now hitting .261 with a pair of homers, 20 runs scored and 11 steals on the season. His speed makes him a nice fantasy asset, and he should be owned and started in most leagues at this point.

The 24-year-old superstar is expected to return to the club’s spring training facility on Sunday. This won’t have any impact on Henderson’s ability to get himself ready in time for the start of the regular season and shouldn’t impact his fantasy draft stock at all. He has been the third shortstop drafted on average in early drafts, behind only Bobby Witt Jr. and Elly De La Cruz.

The 37-year-old hurler has thrown just 18 2/3 innings in the big leagues over the past three seasons, but as long as he’s healthy he could wind up being an integral part of the Twins’ bullpen. If he looks strong this spring, he could compete with Taylor Rogers and Justin Topa for save chances, making him worthy of a late-round flier in deeper mixed leagues.

Merryweather had a nice season with the Cubs in 2023, finishing with a 3.38 ERA and 98 strikeouts in 72 innings, but he’s battled some injuries since and amassed a 6.14 ERA with his velocity down about two mph these last two years. He still might be interesting in a Twins pen absent much strikeout potential.

It’s a full circle for Hendriks, who signed with the Twins as a teenager and made his major league debut for the club in 2011. One certainly can’t count on Hendriks staying healthy at age 37 after throwing just 18 2/3 innings in the majors the last three years, but if he does, there’s a good chance he’ll wind up leading the Twins in saves, given the state of their pen. If he impresses this spring, he could be worth a flier.

No aces for the Orioles, but this is another strong addition. The 36-year-old Bassitt has made 30 starts each of the last four seasons, going 52-40 with a 3.77 ERA during that span. His stuff did show signs of decline last season and he was left out of the Jays’ postseason rotation, but he wound up looking great as a setup man during the team’s World Series run. He’ll join Kyle Bradish, Trevor Rogers, Shane Baz in the Orioles rotation, leaving one spot for Dean Kremer or Zach Elfin. However, they’ll surely need all six starters in the end. The move does push Cade Povich further down the depth chart, and it would seem to guarantee that Tyler Wells will open up in the pen.

Urquidy couldn’t help the Tigers after returning from Tommy John surgery late last season, but the Pirates figure to give him a chance to win a rotation spot, with a role in middle relief also possible. The 30-year-old Urquidy has a 4.00 ERA in 70 starts and 11 relief appearances as a major leaguer. All but two of those outings came with the Astros from 2019-23.

The move, which makes room for José Urquidy on the roster, comes hours after he was seen throwing at Pirates camp today. Jones’s internal brace surgery that took place last May comes with a 10-12 month recovery window, so it’s a little disappointing to see him already ruled out for the first two months of the season. Still, the Pirates weren’t going to rack up a big innings total anyway. Jones looked like a long-term No. 2 starter behind Paul Skenes while going 6-8 with a 4.14 ERA and a 132/39 K/BB in 121 2/3 innings as a 22-year-old rookie in 2024. He might have something to offer in mixed leagues come June or July.

Jon Heyman provided the contract value. Based on the team’s need for a true innings eater, no matter the quality of those innings, Mikolas has always made a ton of sense for the Nationals. Probably the only better bet for innings still in free agency was Patrick Corbin, and that reunion was never likely to take place. The Nationals rotation currently seems most likely to include Cade Cavalli, Brad Lord, Foster Griffin, Mikolas and either Josiah Gray or Jake Irvin.

Herz, who underwent the procedure last April, could be an option for the Nationals rotation come July. He showed some promise a rookie in 2024, posting a 4.16 ERA and a 106/36 K/BB in 88 2/3 innings. However, given that control is often the last thing to come back after Tommy John and Herz has long history of wildness, he probably won’t be a fantasy factor prior to 2027.

Sam Phalen has compiled the visual evidence. This should truly be something of a “yikes” moment for White Sox fans, as there hasn’t been any actual indication that the team wants Acuña to become a switch-hitter. Acuña was the primary return for Robert, though the second player acquired, right-hander Thomas Pauley, is interesting, too. If Getz was this unfamiliar with Acuña’s game prior to the trade, then he’s not someone who should be leading a front office. Acuña is expected to get every chance to win the starting job in center this spring. Still, because of his lack of power, he might be just a utilityman in the long run.