MLB Player News

Culberson has only one at-bat for Atlanta this season. Last year, he hit .252/.282/.357 with two home runs and two steals in 70 games with Texas. The 34-year-old has played for five teams in his 11-year career and will try to latch on somewhere as a defensively versatile bench bat.

This finalizes a deal that was agreed to on Friday. Ibáñez, who hit .239/.301/.352 for the Tigers last season, will probably get a spot on the Dodgers bench initially, though he might just be keeping a seat warm for Kiké Hernández, who is widely expected to be re-signed by the Dodgers and who is due to miss the first month or so after elbow surgery. Until then, Ibáñez figures to see starts at second and third versus left-handed pitchers.

Fitzgerald was just claimed from the Twins on Friday. That he made it all of the way to the Dodgers on waivers the first time around suggests that he’ll probably clear this time, unless maybe some other team wants him after taking note of the Dodgers’ interest.

Loáisig became a free agent after the Yankees declined a $5 million option for 2026. The injury-prone 31-year-old has a 3.54 ERA in 249 1/3 innings over parts of eight seasons. He last topped 30 innings in 2022, and he’s thrown more than 50 innings just once, when he had a 2.17 ERA over 70 2/3 innings in 2021. He finished last season on the IL with a back strain and an elbow strain that came about while he was trying to rehab.

Martinez was the Diamondbacks’ 8th round pick in this last draft. He posted a 5.47 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and 110/33 K/BB ratio in 77 1/3 innings at Arizona State. He’s a tall pitcher with a deceptive delivery and a big upper-90s fastball. While his ratios were not great in college, he has a true four-pitch mix and the frame to hold up to a long MLB season, so this is a solid gamble for the Cardinals, who are desperate for young starting pitching.

This deal came together quickly, and, according to The Arizona Republic’s Nick Piecoro, the Diamondbacks are only paying Arenado $5 million this year and $6 million next year, thanks to the money the Cardinals are sending over. Arenado hit .237/.289/.377 with 12 home runs and 52 RBI for the Cardinals in 107 games last season while battling injuries. It was the first time he had played under 144 games in a season since 2014. The 34-year-old is no longer the offensive player that he was in his prime, but he remains a good defender with elite contact rates, both of which will be a boon to the Diamondbacks. Of course, this means that Arizona’s top prospect, Jordan Lawlar, is, once again, without a clear starting job heading into spring training.

The Mets, Dodgers and Blue Jays appear to be Tucker’s main suitors, though if he’s willing to accept a shorter deal like this, it really ought to lead to more widespread interest. It is, however, unclear if Tucker has backed off his pursuit of a longer contract.

Maybe the D-backs really don’t think Jordan Lawlar can play. It won’t require much talent to bring in Arenado; it’s mostly just a matter of how much of the contract they’d have to absorb. If something gets done, then there’s a good chance Lawlar will return to Triple-A. The Cardinals would be clearing room for top prospect J.J. Wetherholt, but they’d probably start off the season with Nolan Gorman or Thomas Saggese at third base.

The Yankees have also reached out to the Cubs about Hoerner, but all indications, for now, are that the Cubs would rather hold onto Hoerner and trade Matt Shaw. Both Hoerner and Donovan are high-contact rate hitters who would provide nice balance to a Giants infield that features power bats in Willy Adames, Matt Chapman, and Rafael Devers. Nothing appears imminent, but the Giants don’t appear comfortable beginning the 2026 season with Casey Schmitt or Christian Koss as their starting second baseman.

Kieboom had only eight plate appearances for the Angels in 2025, but hit .319/.368/.449 with nine home runs and 11 steals in 93 games for Triple-A Salt Lake. The former top prospect will likely be corner infield depth for the Guardians in 2026 and should no longer be counted on for any major MLB production.

“We want a neutral ballpark where if you hit a ball well, it should be a home run,” said Royals general manager J.J. Picollo. According to Stacast’s Park Factors, Kauffman Stadium ranked 6th in baseball as an offensive park. However, this ranking was largely due to its having the second-largest outfield in baseball, which promotes doubles and triples. It ranked 25th in baseball as a home run park, which is the fourth-lowest mark of any stadium that has been in use for at least the last three seasons. The team will keep centerfield at 410 feet, but will shorten the power alleys from 389 feet to 379 feet, and “the fences will continue on that path, 9 to 10 feet shorter, nearly all the way to the corners.” This will not only help established power hitters like Bobby Witt Jr., Vinnie Pasquantino, and Salvador Perez hit more home runs, but should be a nice boost for young players with plus power like Jac Caglianone and Carter Jensen. However, batting average hitters with fringe power, like Isaac Collins and Jonathan India, may see a slight regression with a smaller outfield for extra base hits to fall in.