MLB Player News

Vera was one of the better pitching prospects in Chicago’s system just a few years ago after being a high-profile international free agent signing out of Cuba. The 23-year-old righty has made only a handful of starts over the last three years due to injury.

The 22-year-old Angels’ prospect went 2-for-3 with a pair of singles, a walk and two RBI in the contest. Rodriguez opened the scoring with a rocket of an RBI single off of Jack Dallas in the second inning that registered an exit velocity of 111 mph. He then worked Koen Moreno for a bases-loaded walk in the fifth inning that increased his squad’s advantage to 4-1. Rodriguez spent the 2025 season at Single-A Inland Empire where he slashed .281/.372/.470 with 14 homers, 83 RBI, 38 stolen bases and a 130/63 K/BB ratio over 560 plate appearances.

Romero notes that the Seibu Lions of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball have approved the posting of the 27-year-old hurler. Once Major League Baseball approves it, teams will have a 45-day window to negotiate a deal. Imai registered an outstanding 1.92 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and a 178/45 K/BB ratio across 163 2/3 innings during the 2025 campaign. He’s projected to land a contract in the range of five or six years and upwards of $150 million.

When asked about is confidence in Hoffman in the ninth inning — following him blowing a save in Game 7 of the World Series by serving up a game-tying solo homer to light-hitting infielder Miguel Rojas — Atkins noted that Hoffman “would be open to anything that makes us better”. He also added that Hoffman doesn’t care what role he’s used in, saying, “The great thing about Jeff is he’s not married to that”. Hoffman converted 33 saves in 40 opportunities for the Jays during the regular season, picking up nine wins and seven losses along the way. It sounds like they could be in the market for an upgrade in the ninth inning if the right opportunity presents itself over the winter.

McGonigle has been sizzling-hot in the desert recently, batting .462 (6-for-13) with three homers and seven RBI over his last three games. The 21-year-old prodigy is batting .385/.494/.754 with five round-trippers and three steals across 17 games this fall. He’ll enter next season as one of the top prospects in the fantasy landscape and should reach Detroit at some point soon. Here’s the full lineup: McGonigle (SS), Braden Montgomery (CF), Max Anderson (3B), Jonny Farmelo (LF), Blake Mitchell (C), Tommy White (1B), Sam Antonacci (2B), Raudi Rodriguez (DH), Enrique Bradfield Jr. (RF) and Luis De Leon (P).

Valdez has been the talk of the desert this fall, slashing .370/.519/.870 with eight homers and 26 RBI across 18 games. The 21-year-old slugger’s emergence gives the Pirates another potential high-impact bat to pair with blue-chip prospects Konnor Griffin and Edward Florentino, who will enter next season among the top-ranked talents in baseball. Here’s the full lineup: Nick Morabito (CF), Seaver King (2B), Parks Harber (1B), Valdez (RF), Owen Ayers (C), Nacho Alvarez Jr. (3B), Chris Suero (DH), Starlyn Caba (SS) Josh Adamczewski (LF) and Karson Milbrandt (P).

Passan adds that Ortiz was arrested earlier this weekend, while Clase is not currently in custody. The pair could face up to 65 years in prison if convicted on all charges, which include fraud, conspiracy, and bribery. Prosecutors allege that Ortiz was paid $5,000 for throwing an intentional ball June 15, with Clase receiving the same amount for facilitating it. The indictment also claims they repeated the scheme on June 27, earning $7,000 apiece. The pair of Guardians pitchers were placed on administrative leave in late July amid MLB’s ongoing sports-betting investigation and both appear highly unlikely to ever pitch in the majors again. A final decision on their status won’t come until the criminal proceedings play out. We’ll have updates on the developing situation as it unfolds.

Feinsand notes that the Cubs will take a shot at retaining Tucker, while the Dodgers and Yankees represent a pair of big-market clubs with the financial resources and corner outfield vacancies to get involved in the sweepstakes surrounding the offseason’s most coveted position player. He adds that the Giants and Phillies would be landing spots if they decide to shake things up this offseason, while the Mets could be a landing spot if they’re unable to bring back Pete Alonso. The -year-old fantasy stalwart finished this past season with an .841 OPS along with 22 homers and 25 steals over 136 games as a hairline fracture in his right hand adversely impacted his on-field performance throughout much of the summer. It’ll be interesting to see whether he winds up settling for a short-term pact with an opt-out to potentially hit the market again in the near future.

The towering 6-foot-7, 243-pound slugger recorded some truly astronomical exit velocities during the showcase, including an eye-popping 122.9 mph laser beam to left field and a 19.7 mph moonshot as part of a 24-homer barrage, to edge teammate Esmerlyn Valdez — the hottest hitter in the entire AFL this fall — for the crown. He batted .259/.359/.500 with eight homers in 30 games this past season in the lower rungs of Pittsburgh’s system and is certainly a name to watch as he reaches the upper minors given his power potential. The 20-year-old power-hitter dedicated the derby win to his late father, former big leaguer Tony Blanco Sr., who passed away back in April during the nightclub tragedy in the Dominican Republic.

The 27-year-old La Sorsa added considerable velocity last season, with his fastball climbing on average from 88 mph in 2024 to 92 mph during his time with the Reds. Still, it didn’t help him establish himself in the majors. He has a 5.21 ERA in 57 innings with the Rays, Nationals and Reds the last three years.

Once considered one of the premier young sluggers in all of baseball, Jiménez has seen his production fall off of a cliff in recent years. He spent the entire 2025 campaign in the minor leagues, slashing just .247/.326/.347 with three homers and 30 RBI in 215 plate appearances between the Orioles’ and Blue Jays’ organizations. There will probably be teams interested in taking a flier on him, but it won’t be anything more than a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training.