MLB Player News

The Dodgers’ late-inning relief corps is getting massive reinforcements with Tanner Scott (elbow) slated to return on Friday and Yates getting himself back into the mix on Saturday. The 38-year-old hurler has been sidelined since July 29 due to pain in his lower back.

Clark and the union have been under investigation due to purported improprieties regarding the usage of licensing money. Mets’ infielder Marcus Semien, who is a member of the MLBPA executive subcommittee told reporters on Tuesday that he believes Clark’s resignation is related to the investigation into the improper use of licensing money. Joel Sherman of the New York Post adds that a full statement is expected from Clark before the end of the day on Tuesday. With baseball’s collective bargaining agreement set to expire after the 2026 season and the unrest between players and owners over the future of the game, the chances of a lockout grow increasingly likely.

The 31-year-old hurler is currently being evaluated by the team. O’Brien is expected to serve as the closer for South Korea in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, but if the calf issue continues to linger he’ll be unable to participate. Look for the club to provide an update on his status as soon as more information becomes available.

Smith, 30, slashed a respectable .284/.333/.417 with five homers, 33 RBI and a 42/15 K/BB ratio across 225 plate appearances with the Giants during the 2025 campaign. He’ll provide the Braves with quality depth at the first base position.

The Padres have been stockpiling rotation depth over the past couple of days, signing German Marquez and Griffin Canning to one-year, major league deals and now adding Buehler on a minor league pact. The 31-year-old hurler posted an underwhelming 4.93 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and a 92/61 K/BB ratio over 126 innings between the Red Sox and Phillies in 2025.

No one ever appeared very interested in betting on a rebound from Buehler after he posted a 4.93 ERA and just a 16% strikeout rate last season, but at least here he’ll get nice weather, a fine pitcher’s park and a chance to compete for a spot in a rotation with two pretty obvious holes. It’ll be worth keeping an eye on him.

We’re not overly optimistic about Márquez’s chances of resembling an average MLB starter at this point, but the price is certainly right. He figures to have a good chance of overtaking Randy Vásquez or JP Sears for a spot in San Diego’s rotation, especially if Griffin Canning needs some IL time at the start of the year. Márquez went 3-16 with a 6.70 ERA for the Rockies last season in his first full year back from Tommy John. His velocity was down only about one mph from where he peaked at six years ago, but his secondary pitches just weren’t what they used to be.

Tauchman hit .263/.356/.400 for the White Sox last year and has averaged a .359 OBP and 1.4 fWAR per year as a platoon guy the last three seasons, but no major league offers were forthcoming, it seems. He seems like a nice get for the Mets as a DH and fallback right field option against right-handers, though there might not be room for him if Carson Benge makes the team. If they do somehow carry both Benge and Tauchman, that’d be more bad news for Mark Vientos.

Both said they’d be open to the possibility. Suzuki is entering the final year of a five-year, $85 million pact he signed after coming over from Japan. Happ signed a surprisingly modest three-year, $61 million extension in April 2023, which was about five months before he would have been eligible for free agency for the first time. The Cubs should have interest in retaining both, but they do potentially have Kevin Alcántara ready to take over for one of the two next year.

It’s part of Snell’s plan to throw more innings this season after being limited to 11 regular-season starts last year. He’s still aiming to be a part of the Opening Day rotation, but any bit of trouble this spring will probably put him on the IL initially. “He’s playing catch,” manager Dave Roberts said. “He’s throwing. Once he gets off the mound, throws a pen, faces some hitters, we’ll know more. But obviously he’s not there right now.”

Brito underwent internal brace surgery last May and could be in line to return in June or July. He had a 4.12 ERA over 43 2/3 innings in 26 relief appearances for the Padres in 2024.