MLB Player News

The 29-year-old right-hander has struggled badly with his command this spring, and that was on full display in Thursday’s outing. He came on to start the fifth inning and walked each of the first three hitters that he faced — while also allowing three stolen bases. Jackson Chourio then lined into a sacrifice fly to plate a run. Karinchak battled back to get each of the next two hitters (while allowing his fourth stolen base), but on the whole it was an absolutely brutal outing. He now carries an uninspiring 7.20 ERA, 2.00 WHIP and a 6/5 K/BB ratio over five frames on the spring.

Detroit continues fortifying their high-leverage mix with Jansen joining Kyle Finnegan and Will Vest as ninth-inning options for manager A.J. Hinch. The 38-year-old veteran enters next season just 24 saves shy of the 500 mark after converting 29 chances to accompany a strong 2.59 ERA — 3.98 FIP — and 24.4 percent strikeout rate across 59 innings for the Angels this past season. It’s a phenomenal landing spot from a fantasy perspective as Jansen projects as the clear favorite to handle closing duties with Finnegan and Vest positioned as contingency plans rather than true competition.

Heyman is the first to report the financial terms of the agreement, which surfaced earlier this week. The move comes as a bit of a surprise since the Marlins are bringing Morel in with the expectation that he’ll play first base next season, something he hasn’t done before. The 26-year-old possesses an interesting blend of talent and raw power but he’s struck out just a shade over 30 percent of the time in 1,770 plate appearances in the majors since 2022. He’s the textbook definition of a low-probability lottery ticket for Miami as they search for a solution at the cold corner.

Rodríguez recoded an impressive 1.64 ERA – 3.82 FIP – and 28.4 percent strikeout rate across 44 innings over 39 appearances across three levels in the Athletics’ system this past season. The 24-year-old reliever will presumably open next season back at Triple-A Las Vegas but could be in line to reach the big leagues in short order.

Rodríguez heads overseas in an effort to rebuild his long-term value after posting a catastrophic 9.15 ERA – 8.47 FIP – and 18/7 K/BB ratio across 19 2/3 innings over seven appearances (two starts) between the Brewers and Orioles this past season. The 27-year-old finished the year in the Diamondbacks’ system before they decided to decline his club option for 2026. There’s a chance he returns to the majors at some point down the road.

Reynolds heads to Japan a couple weeks after being non-tendered by the Padres to attempt to bolster his long-term value after posting a serviceable 4.03 ERA – 4.14 FIP – and 27.7 percent strikeout rate over 38 innings across 28 appearances for San Diego over the last two seasons. The 27-year-old righty has pitched exclusively in relief since being drafted by the Marlins in the fourth round of the 2016 MLB Draft.

Rosario returns to New York in a bench role after slashing .276/.309/.436 with six homers, 23 RBI and one steal in 62 games between the Nationals and Yankees this past season. The 30-year-old veteran offers ample defensive versatility, logging time between four different positions last year, but he’s strictly a lefty-mashing platoon option at this stage of his career. He’ll presumably split time at the hot corner with Ryan McMahon next season. There’s minimal mixed-league fantasy appeal, though he retains some usefulness in AL-only formats — particularly daily leagues where his matchups against southpaws can be exploited.

Polanco makes a ton of sense as a short-term first base and DH stopgap option for the Mets in the aftermath of losing middle-of-the-order force Pete Alonso to the Orioles earlier this week. Durability will always be the caveat — chronic knee issues have limited him at an average of just 118 games per season over the last four years — but last year’s resurgence with the Mariners was real, as he produced a robust .821 OPS with 26 homers and six steals across 138 games. With eligibility at second base, one of the thinnest positions in the fantasy landscape, Polanco quietly carries late-round intrigue thanks to his counting-stats upside in New York’s strong lineup.

Shuster has presumably been cut loose to pursue an opportunity to pitch overseas after being jettisoned from the Athletics’ 40-man roster last month. The 27-year-old southpaw has posted a recorded an underwhelming 5.27 ERA — 4.70 FIP — and 15.5 percent strikeout rate across 141 2/3 innings over 62 appearances (17 starts) between the White Sox and Braves dating back to 2023.

Stevens heads to Colorado as extra middle infield depth entering next year after going 2-for-13 with seven strikeouts during his first taste of big-league action with the Angels this past season. The 26-year-old shortstop batted .290/.375/.480 with 18 homers and 20 steals in 528 plate appearances over 126 games at the Triple-A level in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League this past season.

Duarte augments New York’s relief depth entering spring training after spending most of the past two seasons recovering from Tommy John surgery. The hard-throwing 29-year-old righty holds a serviceable 3.99 ERA — 6.11 FIP — and 28/24 K/BB ratio across 38 1/3 innings between the Mets and Twins since 2022.