MLB Player News

Snell needed 42 pitches to get through the inning, as he walked two and allowed two hits. Both runs scored in bizarre fashion, as one came across on an infield single featuring an error, and the other on a passed ball by Patrick Bailey on a strikeout of Jake McCarthy. As dominant as Snell has been since July, there are still starts like this that will drive fantasy managers insane. He should be fresh for Wednesday’s start against the Brewers.

Realmuto mentioned that Painer was about 98 or 99 mph in the bullpen and that the ball came out of his hand easy, without any effort. Perhaps more importantly, Realmuto mentions that the version of Painter he saw this week has far better command than he showed last year as he worked back from Tommy John surgery. “I think a lot of guys coming back from that injury don’t have the feel of the baseball to be able to command it like they normally do. Painter is one of those rare instances where he has such quality stuff, but he also commands the baseball really well...last year, he was just leaving some balls in the middle of the plate or getting behind in some counts... When he’s right, he’s kind of like [Zack] Wheeler where his stuff is so elite, but he’s still able to throw the ball on the edges.” Painter has an inside track to win the fifth starter spot in Philadelphia and is a nice target in fantasy drafts.

Albernaz didn’t directly address what was wrong with Westburg or how long he might be out. He added that Westburg is talking to the Orioles’ medical staff and seeing outside doctors as the team tries to “make sure that we’re doing our due diligence and make sure Jordan is in the best chance to play this year.” All of that sounds far more ominous than we’d like, and while we hope for Westburg’s good health, we can’t recommend drafting him in fantasy leagues.

Meyer was already the MLBPA’s No. 2 officer and the organization’s lead negotiator, so this will keep as much continuity as possible ahead of the collective bargaining agreement’s expiration on Dec. 1. He’s being named on interim basis, according to The Athletic, but all signs point to him staying on until a new labor deal is done. Talks are slated to begin in April.

It’s about time. The Mariners gave Andrew Knizner a major league deal earlier this winter, apparently because they felt that with having baseball’s best catcher as their starter, they could get away with its 80th-best as his backup. Garver, who, according to MLB.com’s Daniel Kramer, will earn $2.25 million if he makes the team, should overtake Knizner and slide into his old role, though he probably won’t see much time DHing against lefties as he has at some points.

Machado is done playing ball after hitting .221/.345/.301 for the Cubs’ Triple-A affiliate last season. The 33-year-old saw time in parts of four seasons with the Tigers from 2015-18, hitting .225/.285/.295 in 505 plate appearances. He went on to spend two years as a solid regular in Korea before returning to the U.S. in 2022 and appearing in five games with the Giants then. Those turned out to be his final games in the majors.

Alexander, 29, has seen brief major league action the last two years, going 4-for-25 for the Royals and A’s. He spent time in Triple-A for the A’s, Yankees and Dodgers last year, hitting .254/.335/.448 with 15 homers in 466 plate appearances. He doesn’t seem like a threat to make the Astros out of spring training.

Kelly didn’t say that it wouldn’t happen, but he did remind reporters that Griffin has “only had a handful of at-bats at Double-A.” This may be a tactic to keep pressure off MLB’s top prospect, but it’s also not incorrect. Griffin is only 19 years old and has just 98 total plate appearances at Double-A. Asking him to make the jump to face big league pitchers is certainly a tough ask, but he may just be capable enough to respond to it. There is plenty of time for Griffin to win a job in spring training, but it would behoove fantasy managers drafting now to remember that the Pirates don’t generally rush their prospects to the big leagues, and Griffin has a tall task ahead of him to make the Opening Day roster

It’s just a procedural move to free up a roster spot for Ben Cowles. Francis underwent Tommy John surgery earlier this month and is not expected to be back in Toronto’s plans until 2027.

It’s the second time this offseason Cowles has been claimed off waivers, as the Cubs originally got him from the Yankees in January. The 26-year-old infielder will get a shake at a roster spot in Spring Training, but will likely wind up in the minors if the Blue Jays are his final destination. The Jays placed Bowden Francis on the 60-day injured list to free up the roster spot.

Canning “might not be there very long,” per Cassavell, but he is not currently part of that race. NL-only leaguers take notice — if you draft Canning you’re going to have to have an IL spot to stash him early. Canning pitched well for the Mets before tearing his Achilles in June. He’ll likely bump one of the lower-level Padres starters from the rotation once he’s ready to return.