MLB Player News

Rays’ skipper Kevin Cash told reporters on Monday that there’s no guarantee that this procedure will fix the issue that McClanahan has been dealing with, it sounds like it’s just the first step that they’re taking to try to address it. He’s officially out for the remainder of the 2025 season and the start of his 2026 campaign is in obvious jeopardy at the moment as well.

The contract, which was agreed to a week ago, is reportedly worth $5 million. Despite a 5.23 ERA last season with the Dodgers, Yates becomes the favorite to close for the Angels, though Robert Stephenson or Jordan Romano could wind up pushing him at some point. Yates still had a 29% strikeout rate last season, and his velocity was down only about one mph from his peak. He could turn out to be a fair enough fantasy closer if he can stay healthy at 39. Of course, if he does perform well, he’d seem like a prime candidate to be moved in a deadline deal.

Darnell went from the Rockies to the Pirates to the Tigers on waiver claims earlier this winter before being non-tendered by Detroit. Now he’s back with the Tigers, though he’s expected to miss at least the first month of the season after August hip surgery. The 28-year-old had a 3.19 ERA and a 63/19 K/BB in 53 2/3 innings for the Rockies’ Triple-A affiliate last season. He also had a 3.86 ERA over 11 2/3 innings in his major league debut.

This appears to bring an official end to Mendick’s playing career after he already sat out last season. The 32-year-old hit .232/.286/.346 in 656 plate appearances over parts of six seasons, five of which came with the White Sox. His versatility probably would have led to steadier work a couple of decades ago, As is, he often had to settle for being a very good Triple-A player.

Even though the Tyler Mahle deal was announced Monday, the Giants, for some reason, were given an extra 27 hours to make a corresponding move to open up a spot on the 40-man roster. Dean was just claimed on waivers from the Dodgers in November. He can serve as a 26th man with his quality defense in center field and pinch-running ability, but the bat isn’t there to make him anything more than that.

Davidson last appeared in the majors in 2024 before pitching in Korea last season. In the KBO, he posted a 3.65 ERA in 123 1/3 innings across 22 starts. He has a 5.76 ERA career across 129 2/3 innings in the big leagues.

Sikkema pitched for the Reds in 2025, posting a 4.57 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, and 72/31 K/BB ratio in 86 2/3 innings across Double-A and Triple-A. Interestingly, Sikkema was traded from the Yankees to the Royals in 2022 for Andrew Benintendi, who was once one of Boston’s best players. Sikkema has not panned out as the Yankees, Royals, or Reds had hoped, but he’ll get another chance in Boston.

The Cardinals claimed Kent off waivers from the Guardians on December 5th, but will now have to waive him to make room for another former Guardians reliever, Justin Bruihl, who they traded for on Tuesday. Kent had a 2.84 ERA in Triple-A in 2025 and should find a home somewhere.

The Guardians acquired Bruihl from the Blue Jays on December 17th and then designated him for assignment three days later. The left-hander has a 4.72 ERA in 89 2/3 major league innings.

With Kazuma Okamoto now in Toronto, the only spot for Bichette is at second base, and the Blue Jays have Ernie Clement currently slotted in to play there. Rosenthal believes that the Blue Jays would be more inclined to let Bichette walk and try to spend money to bring Kyle Tucker on board. If the Blue Jays are out on Bichette, that would leave the Yankees, Cubs, Phillies, and Red Sox, who reportedly prefer to add Alex Bregman.

Torres apparently caught the eyes of the Orioles’ with his 0.00 ERA and 39/7 K/BB in 23 1/3 innings in Puerto Rico this winter. A former Angels prospect, he was let go after posting a 3.40 ERA in 42 1/3 innings between Double- and Triple-A in 2024. As a result, he spent last season in indy ball, through 39 2/3 innings with a 1.59 ERA for the Lake Country DockHounds.