MLB Player News

Sasaki looked sharp in a pair of scoreless relief appearances during the final week of the regular season and will have a role during Los Angeles’ postseason run. The 23-year-old phenom figures to pitch in low-leverage spots during the playoffs, but it wouldn’t be a total shock if he got some chances in critical spots, especially if he continues to excel in shorter bursts out of the bullpen.

García required back surgery a year ago that took him out of the mix for 2025, and now he’s choosing to call it a career at age 34. García made an All-Star team in 2017 while hitting .330/.380/.506 for the 2017 White Sox. It was easily his best year, but he was also a quality regular for the Rays in 2019 and the Brewers in 2021. After the latter season, the Marlins signed him to a four-year, $52 million deal that turned quickly went bad, and he was released 2 1/3 seasons into it after hitting just .217/.260/.322 in 153 games. He finishes his career at .263/.316/.417 with 140 homers in 1,104 games.

The Rays are also involved in the three-team deal, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, and USA TODAY’s Bob Nightengale says they will be getting third baseman Ben Williamson from the Mariners. Donovan, who has been part of trade rumors all winter, seems likely to play third for Seattle with Williamson gone, though he’s also very much an option at second base and in left field. The Mariners would have the 2025 NL All-Star under control for the next two years.

Allard had a surprising 2.63 ERA in 65 innings (two starts, 31 relief appearances) for the Guardians last season, lowering his career mark from 5.99 to 5.34. He had just a 16% strikeout rate in the process, so there’s not really any reason to expect him to do it again. The Guardians, though, have a way of coaxing these kinds of results from journeymen.

The 27-year-old reliever was claimed off waivers from the Twins back in November. He posted a 2.86 ERA and 45/14 K/BB in his 44 innings at the Double-A and Triple-A levels before allowing one run in 7 2/3 innings in the big leagues to end the season. He was waived to make room on the 40-man roster for Yoan Moncada.

This deal was reported last week and is now official after Moncada passed a physical. The 30-year-old played in 84 games for the Angels last season, hitting .234/.336/.448 in 289 plate appearances. He will head into spring training as the favorite to start at third base, with Christian Moore battling Vaughn Grissom and Oswald Peraza for the second base job.

The Angels designated Meckler for assignment last week after claiming Kaleb Ort on waivers. Meckler was unclaimed, so he will remain in the Angels’ organization and have a chance for at-bats during the season after he hit .287/.390/.370 in Triple-A last year.

Once thought to be the White Sox’s third baseman of the future, Ramos has seen his stock drop the last two years, particularly after he hit .216/.309/.396 in Triple-A last season. He’s just turning 24 and the change of scenery might do him some good, but he’s out of options and it’s hard to see him landing a spot in Baltimore’s infield. Odds are that he’ll wind up being DFA’d again.

Wilson gets bumped three days after being claimed off waivers from the Phillies. He’s a fair 26th man playable against lefties, but at age 31, he’s already reached his ceiling.

This seems like the right call. Although he’s a natural left-hander, Cijntje, the Mariners’ first-round pick in 2024, throws quite a bit harder right-handed and looks like a potential middle-of-the-rotation starter from that side. As a left-hander, he doesn’t offer the same kind of promise. However, he is expected to continue throwing bullpen sessions as a lefty, and it will be interesting to see if he can occasionally make left-handed relief appearances in between starts once he reaches the majors. He’s likely to spend all of 2026 in the minors after posting a 4.58 ERA in 74 2/3 innings in High-A and a 2.67 ERA in 33 2/3 innings in Double-A last year.

Gambadoro is quick to note that there’s no deal close between the two sides and that the Diamondbacks are interested in other first baseman as well. It seems like they’re not content to enter the season with Pavin Smith as the unquestioned starter at the position. Santana, who will turn 40 in April, slashed a meager .219/.308/.325 with 11 homers, 54 RBI and seven stolen bases in 474 plate appearances between the Guardians and Cubs in 2025.