MLB Player News

The runs scored on solo homers from Daylen Lile and Brady House. Woodruff’s velocity was down some today from his more adrenaline-filled debut Sunday, but even as he was averaging 92.2 mph with his fastball, he generated 13 whiffs and a 33% CSW in the 81-pitch outing. He should be OK to use in mixed leagues next time out, assuming that he will be held back to the series in Seattle starting July 21. If he pitches in the first series back against the Dodgers, that’d be a tough start.

Hjelle’s wife’s accusations of spousal abuse over the summer never drew an official reaction from MLB, but the Giants cut him loose at season’s end and he obviously didn’t find much of a market as a free agent. The 28-year-old heads to Japan after posting a 5.11 ERA in 149 2/3 innings for the Giants these last four seasons.

Shugart, who was DFA’d last week, had a 3.40 ERA in 45 innings for the Pirates last season, though his peripherals weren’t very impressive; his K/BB was 31/17 and his groundball rate was only 33%. He does have an option year left, though, and the Phillies were surely attracted to that. Loreto, an 18-year-old signed out of Venezuela two years ago, wasn’t regarded as one of the Phillies’ better prospects. He hit .237/.332/.396 in 47 games in the Florida Complex League last season.

John Mincone first reported the offer. The Athletic’s Will Sammon earlier wrote that the Mets were offering $40 million-$47 million per season over three years. It’s unclear if they’ve upped that to $150 million total or if they’ll only do $50 million for one or two years. Regardless, it’s certainly starting to see like Tucker could make a decision this week. The Blue Jays and Dodgers are also known to be in the running.

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.