MLB Player News

It’s just a paper move, as he’ll almost certainly be officially released soon. Pence was designated for assignment over the weekend after batting just .096/.161/.250 with 15 strikeouts over 56 plate appearances in his return to San Francisco. It’s fair to wonder if this is the end of the road for the 37-year-old.

The Nationals just claimed him off waivers on Wednesday, but will now move on after claiming George Soriano on Friday. The 24-year-old Cheng will try to latch on somewhere else.

Soriano was designated for assignment earlier this week when the Braves claimed Jose Suarez. Now, he’ll wind up in Washington, but is still a long shot to make the Opening Day roster after posting a 7.64 ERA in 66 innings over his last two seasons.

Bader seemed likely to get a somewhat bigger deal than this at the beginning of the offseason, but it seems no one was especially convinced last year’s career-best .277/.347/.449 line was repeatable. That’s probably in part because he had an xBA of .223 and xSLG of .364, according to Statcast. His line suggests he sold out for more power, with his strikeout rate jumping from 20% from 2021-24 to 27% last year. However, his exit velocity numbers didn’t get all that much better in the process. Regardless of whether he hits, Bader will provide value to the Giants through his excellent defense in center, allowing them to push Jung Hoo Lee to right. He doesn’t come recommended in fantasy leagues this year.

Sims has been pretty awful since a trade to the Red Sox at the 2024 deadline; he had a 6.43 ERA in 14 innings for Boston then, a 13.86 ERA in 12 1/3 innings for the Nationals last season and then a 5.56 ERA in 34 innings for the Phillies’ Triple-A affiliate after Washington released him. All told, he walked 53 in 60 1/3 innings during that span. He still has his fastball and slider, so there’s always the chance he turns it around. However, even at his best, he was never particularly reliable.

Pérez got $8 million from the Pirates two years ago and $5 million from the White Sox last year, so it’s surprising to see him settle for a minor league deal now, though perhaps he prioritized pitching for a contender this time around. Pérez had shoulder issues last year and was limited to 11 appearances, but he had a 3.54 ERA and a 19.3% strikeout rate comfortably above his career mark of 16.2%. Given that the Braves have so many middle relief possibilities who are out of options, Pérez might open up in the minors unless a starter gets hurt.

It’s safe to say this wasn’t the plan for the Twins, certainly not with the offseason almost over and spring training only a couple of weeks away. Falvey, who had spent nine years with the Twins and became their POBO in 2019, might not have thrilled with the team’s direction after Tom Pohlad replaced his younger brother Joe as the team’s controlling owner in December. The Twins said GM Jeremy Zoll will lead baseball operations and Tom Pohlad will lead business operations while the team searches for a replacement for Falvey.

This will surely be a minor league deal. Pratto once looked like the Royals’ first baseman of the future, but he was largely ineffective in 527 plate appearances between 2022 and ’23 (.216/.295/.364) and things went from bad to worse the last two years, as he finished with Triple-A OPSs of .734 in 2024 and .620 in 2025.

Teng spent most of last year pitching in relief in Triple-A and racked up an impressive 89 strikeouts in 57 innings. However, the Giants needed him as a starter late. He wound up with a 6.37 ERA in his seven starts and one relief appearance, but that came with a fine 28% strikeout rate and only two homers allowed in 29 2/3 innings. He certainly has the varied arsenal necessary to start, but he seems more interesting in relief as a potential setup man. Of course, the Astros might have a couple of fixes in mind that would give him more promise in the rotation.

The move opens up a 40-man roster spot, making room for Harrison Bader when his deal becomes official. Villarroel, who turned 21 a couple of weeks ago, hit .259/.351/.388 with 20 steals in a 2025 season spent mostly in Low-A ball. While he did more catching than anything else, he also made several starts in left field and at second base. It’s hard to say just what kind of power potential he has at 5-foot-8, but if he can last at catcher, he could be an interesting reserve down the line.

France did great work as a 28-year-old rookie for the Astros in 2023, going 11-6 with a 3.83 ERA, but he lasted just five starts in 2024 before requiring shoulder surgery and he struggled with his command after returning last summer, pitching just four innings in the majors. He’s making the minimum and he has an option year left, so he should have suitors, even if he doesn’t offer much upside.