MLB Player News

Sikkema allowed just one hit, and he didn’t issue a walk. The 38th pick out of Missouri hasn’t allowed a run in his first two professional appearances, and he fanned 7 over six innings of work. Sikkema isn’t overpowering, but he can touch 95 mph with his fastball, and he complements an above-average hater with a slider that flashes plus, and a change that’s just a tick behind. Everything has movement, and he’s very difficult to square up. Sikkema might profile best as a multi-inning reliever, but the stuff/command might be good enough for him to join the Yankees’ rotation someday.

Laweryson was claimed off waivers from the Twins in November and then DFA’d on Monday. That he’s being released here after clearing waivers would seem to suggest he’s on his way to Asia. Otherwise, he’d seem like someone the Angels would want to hang on to as a non-roster player.

Barlow was able to command a major league deal, though it’s from a team playing games in a minor league ballpark. The 33-year-old has finished with ERAs in the 4.20-4.40 range three years running, though he did so with both the worst strikeout rate (24.8%) and highest walk rate (14.9%) of his career in Cincinnati last season. Just about anyone could emerge as the Athletics’ closer, but Barlow doesn’t seem like a good bet at this point.

Wisely, who was acquired from the Braves in a minor deal last month, goes to make room for Victor Mesa Jr. on the 40-man. The 26-year-old is a career .214/.265/.319 hitter in 466 major league plate appearances, most of which came with the Giants in 2023 and ’24.

Wilson was designated for assignment on Sunday, but he cleared waivers and will now be sent to Triple-A.

The 24-year-old Mesa, who was DFA’d on Tuesday, hit .286/.352/.460 with seven home runs and four steals in 210 plate appearances at Triple-A last season, but he struggled over 38 plate appearances in his brief MLB debut. The Rays figure to burn his last option year by sticking in Triple-A and seeing if he continues to develop. In return, the Marlins a 19-year-old infielder who has yet to play in the U.S. While splitting time between second and short, Brachi hit .337/.453/.408 in 228 plate appearances in the Dominican Summer League last year. He’s yet to homer in 434 career plate appearances.

The Red Sox are loading up on infield depth over the last few days, but the team, and fans, probably hope that none of them have to play a meaningful role for the team in 2026. Cheng hit .207/.305/.267 slash line with one home run and 18 stolen bases in 107 Triple-A games last season with the Pirates organization. He has speed and can play mutliple positions on the field, but the 24-year-old is likely ticketed for Triple-A, no matter where he ends up.

The Dodgers needed a roster spot for Ben Rortvedt, so they will hope that Banda’s $1.65 million contract prevents anybody from claiming him on waivers. Of course, that gamble didn’t pay off with Rortvedt earlier in the offseason. Banda posted a 3.18 ERA in 65 innings for Los Angeles last season.

Ort was just claimed off waivers from the Yankees last week, but he will now head back to waivers after the Angels signed Brent Suter. Ort had a 4.89 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, and a 49/27 K/BB ratio across 46 innings out of the Astros’ bullpen in 2025.

The move was announced on Thursday and is now official. Suter had his worst season ever in 2025, but he’s posted a 3.57 ERA in 597 1/3 MLB innings and should provide solid middle relief for the Angels, perhaps filling the bullpen role Reid Detmers left behind in his bid to join the rotation.

Romo was designated for assignment last week, but cleared waivers and will be sent to Triple-A. The former catcher of the future for the Rockies has now been designated for assignment three times this offseason and will try to impress the White Sox in spring training so they decide to keep him around.