MLB Player News

This is a brutal blow for the Red Sox. Giolito had been tremendous for Boston this season with a 3.41 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and 121/56 K/BB ratio in 145 innings. However, his command had seemed to leave him in his last two starts, walking nine in nine innings while allowing five runs on eight hits. Perhaps his elbow issue had something to do with it. Red Sox manager Alex Cora seemed to imply that the injury might not be anything major, “but he won’t be ready for this one.” The Red Sox seem likely to go with Brayan Bello to start Game 2 and rookie Connelly Early to start Game 3, if needed.

Chavez announced his retirement after the 2025 season, and it’s not a big surprise to see the 42-year-old enter the coaching ranks. He’ll be tasked with helping improve a San Francisco bullpen that had its fair share of ups-and-downs last year.

Anderson has spent the last two seasons in the Korea Baseball Organization with the SSG Landers outside of a brief nine appearances with Triple-A Toledo, and prior to that was pitching in Japan. The 31-year-old’s deal is pending a physical, but he could be an option at the back of the rotation or as a multi-inning reliever in 2026.

VanWey and Trammell were both removed from the 40-man roster last week. They could both spend time in the majors in 2026, but in order to do so they’ll need to be added back to Houston’s — or another team’s — 40-man.

Kent will get a chance to win one of the final bullpen spots with the Cardinals this spring. The 27-year-old pitched well in Triple-A Columbus with a 2.84 ERA, but he struggled at the highest level as seen in a 4.58 ERA, albeit in a small sample of 17 2/3 innings.

Romo has some prospect pedigree, but hasn’t hit nearly enough to suggest he’s more than a backup backstop at the highest level. The 24-year-old will likely compete for that job this spring in the Grapefruit League.

Walker is removed from the 40-man roster to make room for a pair of new roster additions for Atlanta via waivers. The 31-year-old was just claimed off waivers from Baltimore last month, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if another club grabs him. If not, Walker will be eligible to elect free agency if he so chooses.

Molina is one of two new Atlanta hurlers, as the team also snatched Osvaldo Bido off waivers from the Athletics. Molina is only 23, and while he has not had any real success at the highest level, he’ll get a chance to prove he’s more than organizational depth this spring — assuming he sticks on the 40-man roster, of course.

Bido, 30, was successful in 2024 with a 3.47 ERA for the Athletics, but struggled in 2025 with a 5.87 mark over 79 2/3 innings. The right-hander will have a chance to earn a spot on the Atlanta staff in spring training.

Luciano is not long removed from being considered one of the top hitting prospects in baseball, but the 24-year-old has seen his stock drop considerably due to poor play in both the minors and brief stints in the majors. He’ll get a chance to shine in a new organization, but this is definitely a wait-and-see type of profile from a fantasy perspective.

For the second time this offseason, Robertson will head to a new team. The Pirates claimed him off of waivers from the White Sox in October, but he was designated for assignment earlier in the week when the Pirates needed to free a spot on their 40-man roster. The 27-year-old outfielder slashed just .129/.173/.143 with a 27/2 K/BB ratio over 75 plate appearances with the Blue Jays and White Sox in 2025. He’ll add outfield depth for the O’s.