MLB Player News

It’s a brutal development for the Yankees, and fantasy managers alike, as Schmidt had pitched to a strong 3.32 ERA across 78 2/3 innings (14 starts) this season before hitting the injured list earlier this week with forearm tightness. The 29-year-old’s absence puts some additional strain on New York’s rotation heading towards the trade deadline. Allan Winans and Cam Schlittler are the most likely candidates to fill his rotation spot. Given the timing of the procedure, Schmidt is unlikely to make it back until the late stages of the 2026 season.

He’ll make $925,000 if he’s in the majors. Gamboa, 28, was the Dodgers’ ninth-round pick in 2019 and pitched in their farm system until last May, when he made his way to Korea. He wound up 7-8 with a 3.58 ERA and a 117/49 K/BB in 108 innings over 19 starts with Lotte. He’s always been able to generate groundballs, and he could prove to be of some use in middle relief.

With Francisco Lindor at short, Correa was going to give third base a try in the 2023 WBC, only to drop out due to the upcoming birth of his child. Now that Correa is, in fact, a third baseman, it’s an easier fit. Beltrán also confirmed that Riley Greene, Nolan Arenado and George Springer have been invited to play for Team Puerto Rico. Arenado played for Team USA in 2017 and ’23, but he’s expected to switch it up this time.

One would think the younger Contreras would be Venezuela’s catcher of choice, though that is the team’s deepest position; Salvaldor Perez has been the mainstay for the club, and the country has also produced Gabriel Moreno, Francisco Alvarez, Carlos Narváez and Freddy Fermin. Neither Contreras brother played for the team last time around in 2023. Willson could be the team’s best choice at first if he wants to play this time.

It’ll be interesting to hear what this is about. Freeman played for Canada in the 2017 and ’23 WBCs, going a combined 4-for-21 in six games.

Díaz reportedly got $69 million over three years from the Dodgers. His exit means that Devin Williams, who signed a three-year, $51 million deal with deferrals that brought its value down to about $45 million, probably will be the Mets’ closer. Perhaps there’s still some chance the team could sign Robert Suarez to pitch the ninth.

That seems like a big loss for the Pirates, as pitching development is the one thing they’ve done fairly well of late. Bleich immediately joined the Pirates after retiring in 2019. The 38-year-old was the 44th overall pick in the 2008 draft, taken by the Yankees out of Stanford. He very briefly made the majors in 2018, only to give up two runs in one-third of an inning in his lone appearance for the A’s.

This finalizes a deal agreed to a week ago. Weiss topped out in Triple-A with the Diamondbacks and Royals before pitching in Taiwan in 2023 and Korea the last two season. 2025 was his breakthrough campaign, as he went 16-5 with a 2.87 ERA and a 207/56 K/BB in 178 2/3 innings for Hanwha. The Astros will have the 28-year-old contend for a rotation spot in spring training.

The Yankees, too, of course. The Kyle Schwarber re-signing might take the Phillies out of the mix, but Bellinger has a wide range of suitors, regardless, and figures to command at least a five-year deal at age 30.

Sammon makes it clear that the Mets aren’t actively shopping Peterson, but they would move the 2025 All-Star if it helps them fill needs elsewhere, like to acquire an outfielder to replace Brandon Nimmo. Since coming back from hip surgery after the 2023 season, Peterson has a 3.67 ERA in just under 300 innings and is likely to earn $7.6 million in arbitration in 2026, so he would be extremely affordable for whatever team wanted to acquire him. That also means the Mets would “hold a high asking price” in any deal.

Quite the morning for the Phillies, who have also reportedly agreed to a five-year deal with slugger Kyle Schwarber. Thomson has thrived since taking over for Joe Girardi during the 2022 season, posting a 346-251 (.580) record. The Phillies have won back-to-back NL East championships, but that regular season excellence hasn’t gotten them back to the World Series. With this new contract, Thomson will try to finish the job.