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Stats

Rotoworld

Josh Hader

HOU Relief Pitcher #71

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Astros’ manager Joe Espada told reporters on Monday evening that Josh Hader was held out of a save chance due to left shoulder discomfort.

That’s something that fantasy managers would have loved to have known prior to locking in lineups for the week. Hader underwent testing on Monday to determine the severity of the injury, the results of those tests are not yet known. He’s considered day-to-day for the time being, but the Astros aren’t likely to take any chances with their prized southpaw — especially when it’s arm-related. Look for another update from Espada and company on Tuesday.

Injury

Source: Jose de Jesus Ortiz

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Zack Short

NYY Shortstop #38

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Yankees signed Zack Short to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.

Short fortifies New York’s middle infield depth heading into next season after hitting .220/.291/.380 with two homers across 56 plate appearances over 30 games for the Astros this past season. The 30-year-old journeyman shortstop is the prototypical emergency stopgap option for an organization like the Yankees after getting into 243 games in the big leagues between five different teams over the past half-decade.

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Will Pirates make more moves this offseason?

December 12, 2025 03:31 PM

James Schiano and Eric Samulski discuss the Pirates acquiring Jhostynxon Garcia and signing Gregory Soto, who appeared in 25 games with the Mets last season and struggles with "poor command" and a limited repertoire.

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Donovan Walton

LAA 2nd Baseman #18

Angels signed 2B Donovan Walton to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.

Walton got into a pair of games for the Phillies this past season, going 1-for-8 with one RBI across nine plate appearances. He spent most of the year at the Triple-A level, hitting .270/.356/.396 with 13 homers and four steals in 123 games. The well-traveled 31-year-old infielder has gotten into 72 games at the highest level between the Mariners, Giants and Phillies since 2019. He’ll bolster Los Angeles’ infield depth heading into spring training.

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Brian Van Belle

FA Relief Pitcher #67
Rays released RHP Brian Van Belle.

Van Belle underwent elbow surgery earlier this offseason and is expected to miss all of next season. The 29-year-old righty was jettisoned from Tampa Bay’s 40-man roster earlier this offseason after making four relief appearances in the big leagues last year. He spent most of the year as a starter at the Triple-A level, recording a solid 3.17 ERA — 3.66 FIP — and 88/17 K/BB ratio across 105 innings of work.
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- Tampa Bay Rays
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Kevin Herget

NYM Relief Pitcher #57

Mets re-signed RHP Kevin Herget to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.

Herget provides New York with some experienced relief depth heading into next season after posting a 2.77 ERA — 3.37 FIP — and 6/5 K/BB ratio across 13 innings over seven appearances between the Mets and Braves. The 34-year-old journeyman has made 31 relief appearances in the big leagues since 2022.

Transaction

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Payton Henry

NYY Catcher #83

Yankees signed C Payton Henry to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.

Henry hasn’t appeared in the big leagues since the 2022 campaign when he got into 15 games for the Marlins. The 28-year-old backstop posted a .249/.323/.415 slash line with 11 homers in 65 games at the Triple-A level this past season. He’ll function as emergency organizational catching depth for the Yankees.

Transaction

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Carlos Duran

LAD Relief Pitcher #39

Dodgers signed RHP Carlos Duran to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.

Duran returns to Los Angeles after being shipped to the Athletics back in April in the Esteury Ruiz trade. The flame-throwing 24-year-old reliever boasts triple-digit fastball velocity but has battled control issues throughout his career. He posted a lackluster 5.03 ERA — 5.21 FIP — and 67/55 K/BB ratio across 62 1/3 innings at the Triple-A level this past season.

Transaction

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Tyler Austin

CHC 1st Baseman #29
Cubs signed 1B/OF Tyler Austin to a one-year, $1.25 million contract.

The deal is now official. Austin returns stateside following a six-year odyssey overseas in Japan. The 34-year-old slugger batted .269/.350/.484 with 11 homers over 65 games for the Yokohama BayStars this past season. He figures to occupy a bench role with the Cubs, splitting time at first base and DH, mostly against tougher left-handed starters. The over-the-fence pop is real but it’s challenging to envision enough playing time to make an impact outside of NL-only formats.
MLB Free Agent Tracker 2025-26: Mets adding Luke Weaver to bullpen, Brad Keller goes to the Phillies

Stay up to date with the MLB free agent market this offseason, including player signings, contract details, and team fits as the 2025-26 Hot Stove heats up.

D.J. Short
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D.J. Short
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Transaction

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John Means

FA Starting Pitcher #47

Free agent starter John Means announced that he suffered a ruptured Achilles earlier this week.

It’s a crushing blow for Means, who underwent surgery this week and is facing a lengthy rehabilitation process that could sideline him for most of next season. The 32-year-old veteran southpaw never made it back to the majors this past season after spending the entire year working his way back from the second Tommy John surgery of his career. He became a free agent after the Guardians declined his $6 million club option for 2026.

Injury

Source: Andy Kostka

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Brennen Davis

SEA Center Fielder #94

Mariners signed OF Brennen Davis to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.

Davis was universally-regarded as one of the top prospects in baseball roughly a half decade ago with the Cubs before injuries derailed his promising career. The 26-year-old outfielder, who has yet to ascend to the big leagues, fits the mold of a zero-risk flyer for the Mariners as extra outfield depth at Triple-A Tacoma. He .271/.364/.612 with 17 homers in 198 plate appearances, albeit with a lofty 28.8 percent strikeout rate, over 50 games at the Triple-A level this past season.

Transaction

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Triston McKenzie

SD Starting Pitcher #24

Padres signed RHP Triston McKenzie to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.

McKenzie qualifies as a low-risk lottery ticket for San Diego’s pitching apparatus as a reclamation project after posting a calamitous 11.12 ERA across 5 2/3 innings for the Guardians before being designated for assignment by late April. The 28-year-old former impact stater went unclaimed on waivers and spent the rest of last season in minor league purgatory. He’ll be an interesting name to watch in spring training to see if the Padres can unlock something.

Transaction

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