MLB Player News

The move clears a 40-man roster spot for starting pitcher Alex Cobb, who was officially signed to a four-year, $57 million contract on Wednesday morning. Baltimore selected Mesa from the Yankees in last December’s Rule 5 Draft and he’ll presumably be returned to that organization once he clears waivers.

Robinson returns to Los Angeles where he got into one game this past season before being claimed off waivers by the Braves in late September. The 31-year-old journeyman backstop is merely emergency organizational catching depth behind Will Smith and Dalton Rushing entering spring training.

Bernabel heads to Washington after slashing an underwhelming .252/.288/.410 with four homers and just a 17 percent strikeout ratr across 146 plate appearances for the Rockies last season. The 23-year-old corner infielder represents a worthwhile low-risk gamble for the rebuilding Nationals but departing high-octane Coors Field is a hit to his fantasy upside. He’ll presumably have a chance to compete with an in-house option like Andrés Chaparro for playing time between first base and DH next season. His path to regular at-bats evaporates if the Nationals move Luis García Jr. to first base permanently.

Asigen, who was originally expected to sign with the Yankees, is now set to sign with the Mets for a bonus expected to be around $3.8 million. The 16-year-old left-handed swinging shortstop is universally-regarded as one of the top players in this year’s international signing class thanks to his combination of athleticism, bat speed and raw power. He projects as a surefire top-100 dynasty prospect once he officially signs with New York in a couple weeks.

The deal is now official. Houser heads to San Francisco where he’ll have an opportunity to start after compiling a respectable 3.31 ERA — 3.81 FIP — 1.28 WHIP and 92/38 K/BB ratio across 125 innings over 21 starts between the Rays and White Sox. The 32-year-old projects as a back-end rotation stabilizer behind Logan Webb and Robbie Ray next season.

Hamilton will get a chance to compete for a spot in Atlanta’s bullpen, and while he’s on the 40-man roster, there’s no guaranteed cash for the 30-year-old. He was non-tendered by the Yankees after posting a 4.28 ERA over 36 appearances with a K/BB of 42/22 to go with it.

Cheng is removed from the 40-man roster after the Pirates traded for Brandon Lowe, Mason Montgomery and Jake Mangum on Friday evening. Cheng will now be on waivers, and if he goes unclaimed, it seems likely he’ll report back to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Luciano’s time in the Pittsburgh organization is very likely to be short, as the 24-year-old was just claimed off waivers at the beginning of December. The former top prospect could sneak through unclaimed this time, but it seems likely someone will take that chance.

Vargas returns to the organization after he was designated for assignment and elected free agency. The 34-year-old will compete for a spot on the Diamondbacks’ bench to open 2026.

Martin will once again be a high-leverage option for the Rangers after posting an excellent 2.98 ERA and 48/8 K/BB over 42 1/3 innings across 49 appearances. The right-hander won’t be fantasy relevant unless he gains saves, and that’s far from a guarantee in 2026.

Bell will get a chance to be an everyday option at first base for Minnesota in 2025. There have been flashes of brilliance for the 33-year-old, but there just isn’t enough consistency — and there are too many other quality options — to suggest he has mixed league value to begin 2026.