MLB Player News

Herb latched on with the Mariners on a minor-league deal back in May and didn’t end up reaching the majors. The 29-year-old righty wound up compiling a 4.53 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 87/15 K/BB ratio across 89 1/3 innings between Double-A and Triple-A this season.

This deal was reported on Wednesday and is now official. Montgomery is targeting a return around the All-Star break as he looks to re-establish his value after a rough stretch with the Diamondbacks.

When Bello debuted with Boston, his changeup was arguably his best pitch. In the years since, he has spent a lot of time trying to find the release and movement on his slider, and his changeup has suffered. This spring, Bello wanted to change the grip on his changeup and has begun taking notes from new teammate Ranger Suarez. He’s also working to bring back the curveball he had early in his career, which would deepen an arsenal that includes a four-seamer, sinker, cutter, sweeper/slider and changeup. The additions of a sinker and cutter have helped Bello induce weak contact and keep his ratios low. Perhaps the curve or changeup could help bring the strikeouts that would lead to a breakout season.

Gurriel had ACL surgery in September so Opening Day would be about a six-month recovery. It shouldn’t be a surprise that it’s an unrealistic return date, but there have been social media posts stating that it’s his goal, so it’s worth mentioning. The Diamondbacks will have a couple outfield spots to fill on opening day, which could be good news for Jordan Lawlar’s chances to finally crack the roster.

Westburg also mentioned that he “doesn’t know how it happened.” He just woke up sore and went to the team to get an MRI on his oblique. While it’s not currently expected to be a long-term absence, Westburg has been snake-bitten by injuries during his brief MLB tenure, so it’s not a great sign that he’s already hurt. His injuries make him a bit of a risky bet in fantasy baseball leagues but one that’s still worth taking if you don’t expect a full season of playing time.

Miller will likely be out for most, if not all, of 2026 following Tommy John surgery in October of last year. However, he was really impactful as a reliever, pitching to a 2.74 ERA in 46 innings for the Diamondbacks and Brewers. The multi-year deal would allow him to rehab with the Cubs this season and then be a factor in their bullpen in 2027.

The Red Sox signed Sandoval to a two-year, $18.25 million contract before last season, knowing that he would spend most of last year rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. That financial commitment could give him an inside track to winning the fifth rotation spot, if he’s healthy and effective this spring. However, Sandoval also said that he’s open to pitching out of the bullpen, if that’s what the team wants. The 29-year-old could also attract some interest on the trade market if he looks good this spring.

The 30-year-old hit .228/.307/.381 in 153 games for the Nationals and Red Sox last year with 18 home runs and 84 RBI. He is probably closer to his .264/.347/.424 slash line than last year would suggest, but it’s hard to see a fit here in Cincinnati. With Ke’Bryan Hayes at third base, and Eugenio Suarez at designated hitter, first base already is a competition between Sal Stewart and Spencer Steer. It’s hard to see Lowe sticking in Cincinnati.

Kim tore a tendon in his right middle finger in January, and the initial prognosis is that he would be out for four-to-five months. This would put him on schedule or slightly ahead of it. He has not yet started hitting, and we don’t know what the injury will do to his power production, so he is still be left undrafted in all redraft formats.

Loperfido was originally an Astros prospect but was traded to Toronto in 2024 as part of the Yusei Kikuchi deal. He is not back in Houston after hitting .333/.379/.500 with four home runs in 104 plate appearances for the Blue Jays last year. Loperfido also cut his strikeout rate to 21.4 percent in 91 Triple-A games in 2025 after posting a 28 percent mark in Triple-A in 2024. Improved plate discipline would help Loperfido utilize his plus raw power, and there’s a real chance that Houston gives him a chance to be their starting left fielder against right-handed pitching.

This trade came together very quickly. Sánchez should start against all right-handed pitchers and hit near the middle of a solid Blue Jays lineup. His inability to hit lefties is going to make it hard to roster him in fantasy leagues with weekly lineup locks, but he should have lots of value in daily moves leagues or leagues with mid-week roster changes.