MLB Player News

Nolan Gorman was taken out of the official lineup so that Arenado could be celebrated in what’s probably his final home game in St. Louis, but Gorman was inserted right away when play began. That the Cardinals went this route suggests Arenado has softened on his no-trade stance with two years left on his deal. The Cardinals tried dealing him last winter, but he used his no-trade powers to turn down a deal to Houston.

Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic notes that the Diamondbacks will receive Kade Strowd, Wellington Aracena and Jose Mejia in return for the versatile 26-year-old. Alexander has shown intriguing power potential in his limited big league work, but his paths to a full-time job were blocked in Arizona. They don’t appear to be much better in Baltimore as he’ll likely function in a utility role to open the season. If he does find full-time at-bats though, he could be an intriguing late-round option for fantasy purposes.

Soriano was just claimed off of waivers from the Braves at the end of January, but he’ll go back into roster limbo as the Nationals needed to clear a spot for Ken Waldichuk. The 26-year-old hurler has already been claimed on waivers three times since the 2025 season came to a close, so it’s likely that there will be interest in him once more this time around.

The 28-year-old southpaw was acquired from the Braves in January, but the Rays attempted to slip him through waivers this week to remove him from their 40-man roster. Waldichuk struggled in his return from Tommy John surgery in 2025, but he’s intriguing enough that the Nationals felt he was worthy of a roster spot.

The Bombers needed to clear a spot on their 40-man roster for the addition of Osvaldo Bido on Thursday and unfortunately Shewmake drew the short straw this time around. The 28-year-old infielder spent the 2025 season at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre where he slashed .244/.318/.362 with four homers, 29 RBI and a 52/30 K/BB ratio over 315 plate appearances. There’s a decent chance he’ll pass through waivers unclaimed and continue to function as extra infield depth for the Yankees.

It’s the fifth time since the 2025 season came to a close that Bido has changed teams via waivers — going from the Athletics to the Braves, to the Rays, to the Marlins, to the Angels and now to the Yankees. He’s talented enough that he’s going to keep getting opportunities, though if the Yankees need a 40-man roster spot in the coming weeks, Bido could be on the move once again.

In one of the most highly anticipated arbitration hearings ever, the two-time reigning American League Cy Young Award winner lands a record $32 million via arbitration — $1 million more than the previous record held by Juan Soto in 2024. It’s a gargantuan raise over the $10.15 million that he took home in 2025, but it’s hard to imagine any pitcher in baseball more deserving at the moment. Provided the Tigers don’t attempt to trade him and his new increased salary, they’ll boast perhaps the best 1-2 punch atop any rotation in the American League.

Maile, 34, appeared in 25 games with the Royals during the 2025 season, slashing .244/.346/.356 with one homer and six RBI in 54 plate appearances. He’ll continue to function as extra catching depth for the Royals.

The 28-year-old hurler spent the 2025 campaign in the Phillies’ organization where he registered a disappointing 6.28 ERA, 1.61 WHIP and a 25/14 K/BB ratio across 28 2/3 innings between High-A Jersey Shore and Double-A Reading. He’ll add organizational bullpen depth for the Rangers.

Jon Heyman of the New York Post adds that the contract will be for $1.5 million. After failing in their surprise pursuit of Framber Valdez, the Pirates will settle for his former rotation-mate instead. Urquidy missed most of the 2025 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, ultimately logging 2 1/3 innings with the Tigers in September. Urquidy looked sharp in the Mexican Winter League though and he should help to bring stability to the back end of the Pirates’ rotation.

Thompson, 27, registered a troublesome 11.81 ERA, 2.62 WHIP and an 11/12 K/BB ratio across 10 2/3 frames with the Nationals in 2025. He missed the first half of the season while recovering from Tommy John surgery and was ultimately shut own in September due to right biceps tendinitis. He’ll add bullpen depth for the Rangers.