MLB Player News

Sasaki got the call to protect a two-run lead in the final frame and immediately got into trouble by issuing a one-out walk to Isaac Collins before surrendering a ground-rule double to Jake Bauers. A sacrifice fly from ensuing batter Jackson Chourio cut the lead in half before a walk to Christian Yelich put the potential winning run on-base. It was the first rough patch for the 23-year-old prodigy since returning to the big leagues back in late September as a full-time reliever. He dealt with some diminished velocity in this one and struggled to locate his fastball and signature splitter. It’ll be interesting to see if he can bounce-back as the best-of-seven series progresses.

It was always a possibility after Hernández dealt with a lingering elbow issue throughout the summer after suffering the injury in May. The 34-year-old free agent revealed that he underwent surgery earlier this week to address a broken bone in his elbow and won’t be ready in time to play for Team Puerto Rico in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. He’s unlikely to make an impact for fantasy purposes at this advanced stage of his career, but his postseason savvy makes him an ideal role player for a contender.

Sandlin passed through waivers unclaimed after being jettisoned from Toronto’s 40-man roster and has been effectively been non-tendered after making just 19 relief appearances this past season in his Blue Jays debut. The 28-year-old missed most of the season with shoulder and elbow issues. He made 209 appearances for the Guardians over a four-year span from 2021-2024 before his inclusion in the Andrés Giménez trade last offseason. There’s probably another organization willing to bring him to camp given his extensive experience in the big leagues.

The Athletics are one of the few organizations with an overabundance of first base and DH options heading into next season with the emergence of AL Rookie of the Year Nick Kurtz and veteran slugger Brent Rooker occupying the full-time DH role. Meneses didn’t appear in the big leagues last year but was an everyday regular for the Nationals from 2022-2024, hitting .274/.322/.408 with 29 homers and three steals in 286 contests during that span.

A little under a week after electing free agency, Antone is back with the organization he’s been with since 2014. The 31-year-old was once among the better relief prospects in baseball and looked like he was on his way to becoming a closer, but injuries have derailed his career with only nine MLB appearances since 2021. He’ll get a chance to win a spot in the Reds’ bullpen this spring.

The 26-year-old backstop spent his first eight minor league seasons in the Tigers’ organization. In 2025, he slashed .247/.297/.322 with one homer and 34 RBI in 250 plate appearances between Double-A Erie and Triple-A Toledo. He’ll add additional catching depth in the upper minors for the Dodgers.

The 35-year-old right-hander has pitched almost exclusively out of the bullpen since the 2018 season where he made 10 starts for the Mariners. He did a nice job in nine appearances with the Twins in 2025, posting a 2.45 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and a 5/2 K/BB ratio over 11 innings. It’s tough to see him landing anything more than a minor league deal with an invitation to big league camp this winter — regardless of role.

The 24-year-old right-hander was absolutely brilliant in four appearances (two starts), hurling 14 innings of shutout baseball with a 0.57 WHIP and a 19/2 K/BB ratio. Hicks became just the third pitcher in the AFL since 2005 to throw 14 or more scoreless innings. It’s a stark contrast from the results that the Astros got out of Hicks at Double-A Corpus Christi in 2025 where he posted a 5.59 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and a 46/14 K/BB ratio over 46 2/3 frames.

Cluff, 28, was originally a 6th round selection by the Nationals from the 2019 draft class. He spent the entire 2025 season at Triple-A Rochester where he slashed .242/.349/.422 with 12 homers, 40 RBI, 23 swipes and a 110/51 K/BB ratio over 383 plate appearances. He’ll add infield depth during big league camp, but he’ll be fighting a major uphill battle for inclusion on the Mets’ Opening Day roster.

The 27-year-old hurler spent the 2025 campaign in the Tigers’ organization where he posted a stellar 2.74 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and a 57/18 K/BB ratio over 46 innings at Double-A Erie. Look for him to open the 2026 season at Triple-A Norfolk and if he performs well there he could break through to the big leagues for the first time at some point during the season.

The dynamic 21-year-old infielder slashed a blistering .362/.500/.710 with five homers, 19 RBI and three stolen bases in 69 at-bats over 19 games. He paced the league in total bases (49) while finishing second in runs scored (22) and tied for second in home runs (5) and extra-base hits (12). With little left to prove in the minor leagues, the only question that remains is whether McGonigle will crack the Tigers’ Opening Day lineup in 2026 or if he’ll have to wait for an early season promotion.