MLB Player News

The 30-year-old infielder is a career .263/.280/.331 hitter with no homers and no stolen bases in 166 plate appearances at the big league level. He can be completely ignored in all fantasy formats.

It’s a phenomenal landing spot for the speedy McCarthy, who stands to benefit exponentially from Coors Field’s high-octane offensive environment — particularly from a BABIP standpoint — as he steps into a corner outfield role for Colorado next season. The 28-year-old former first-round pick was out of minor-league options this spring and hemmed in Arizona by a surplus of outfield depth. He scuffled in the majors last season, but he’s only one year removed from a 25-steal campaign where he slashed .285/.349/.400 with eight homers in 142 games. He’s at least an interesting late-round flyer as a low-risk rebound candidate for fantasy purposes heading into drafts this spring.

Walker passed through waivers earlier this week after being designated for assignment back in late December. The 31-year-old southpaw has bounced around between the Braves and Orioles over the past couple months but it appears he’ll enter spring training as part of Baltimore’s relief mix now that the dust has settled.

Richardson went unclaimed on waivers earlier this week after being jettisoned from Cincinnati’s 40-man roster back in late December. The 25-year-old reliever will compete for a spot in the club’s season-opening bullpen during camp after posting a respectable 4.54 ERA — 4.06 FIP — and 30/21 K/BB ratio across 37 2/3 innings over a career-high 34 appearances this past season at the big-league level.

One of the highest profile minor league free agents this offseason, Solak winds up in San Diego where he represents a break glass in case of emergency bench option. The versatile 30-year-old got into four games for the Pirates last season, going 1-for-11 at the dish, after tearing the cover off the ball at the Triple-A level with a robust .332/.411/.492 slash line with 14 homers and 10 steals in 482 plate appearances across 111 games. The former top prospect will compete for a bench role in spring training but appears ticketed for Triple-A El Paso at the end of camp.

Staumont returns to Cincinnati’s relief mix after missing all of last season with an undisclosed injury that he suffered during spring training. The 32-year-old was a high-leverage arm with the Royals a couple seasons ago before undergoing surgery to address thoracic outlet syndrome back in 2023. He’ll presumably compete for a spot in the Reds’ season-opening bullpen, assuming he’s fully healthy, entering spring training.

Scott fell off the map completely this past season, getting lit up for a calamitous 7.90 ERA — 6.32 FIP — across 24 appearances between the Astros and Diamondbacks this past season. The unexpected implosion came after posting a career-best 2.23 ERA across 68 2/3 innings for Houston during the 2024 campaign. The 33-year-old journeyman represents a low-risk depth addition for Atlanta in the event they can help him re-discover his previous form. He’ll compete for a bullpen role in spring training.

Lavastida bolsters the Athletics’ catching depth behind starter Shea Langeliers and veteran journeyman Austin Wynns. The 27-year-old former prospect appeared in six games for the Guardians back in 2023 and hasn’t been back to the majors ever since. He’s merely an emergency depth addition at this juncture.