MLB Player News

The light-hitting 36-year-old infielder stunned the Blue Jays when he launched a full-count slider from closer Jeff Hoffman 387 feet (104.9 mph EV) for a game-tying solo homer with one out in the ninth inning. It was just his second round-tripper since July 19. That unlikely blast — in addition to a phenomenal defensive effort in the bottom of the ninth inning with the bases loaded — set the stage for Will Smith’s extra-inning heroics, as the Dodgers clinched their second consecutive World Series title.

The 23-year-old was sent outright to Triple-A Albuquerque, but rather than accepting the outright assignment Bernabel will explore his options on the open market. He hit .252/.288/.410 with four homers, 14 RBI and a 25/7 K/BB ratio over 146 plate appearances with the Rockies in 2025. It shouldn’t take him long to find another opportunity.

Lyon, 21, was a 10th round selection by the Mariners from the 2025 draft class. He made just four starts at Single-A Modesto after finishing up his collegiate season in 2025, posting a 7.30 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and a 15/3 K/BB ratio over 12 1/3 innings. He’s at least a couple of years away from being an option to help the Nationals.

The 22-year-old backstop was the 12th overall pick from the 2021 draft. Ford spent most of the 2025 season at Triple-A Tacoma where he slashed a healthy .283/.408/.460 with 16 homers, 74 RBI and seven stolen bases in 458 plate appearances. With the struggles of Keibert Ruiz and the rest of the Nationals’ catching depth being unsettled, the door is open for Ford to seize a significant role on the club’s Opening Day roster, which could lead to fantasy relevance.

The 25-year-old hurler finished the 2025 season as the Nationals’ closer. He compiled a 4.48 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and a 71/16 K/BB ratio across 76 1/3 innings while securing 11 saves for the Nationals. He’ll add another talented weapon to the M’s bullpen, but he won’t be anywhere near the top of the pecking order in saves, which saps most of his fantasy value.

Rodríguez, who is owed $17 million over the next three years, passed through waivers unclaimed after being removed from the club’s 40-man roster to make room for Cody Ponce. He was a key component of Toronto’s bullpen last season, recording a solid 3.08 ERA (4.40 FIP), 1.15 WHIP and 66/34 K/BB ratio across 73 innings of work over 73 appearances. The 28-year-old righty signed a four-year, $26 million contract with the Blue Jays prior to the 2024 season and was eventually moved to a full-time relief role after struggling to an inflated 4.47 ERA across 86 2/3 innings over 21 starts in his debut. He’ll compete for a spot in Toronto’s bullpen during spring training.

Chirinos returns for a second campaign in Korea after compiling a respectable 3.31 ERA and 137/36 K/BB ratio across 177 innings over 30 starts. The 31-year-old doesn’t offer enough strikeout upside to be fantasy-relevant, even if he eventually makes a return to the majors down the road.

Noda was removed from Baltimore’s 40-man roster after the club made a pair of waiver claims earlier this week. The 29-year-old went 2-for-13 in seven games for the Orioles this past season.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports the Cubs and Gallen do not have a deal and are not close to finalizing one. The 30-year-old righty makes a ton of sense for Chicago on the heels of a disappointing final season with the Diamondbacks where he recorded a 4.83 ERA (4.50 FIP), 1.26 WHIP and 175/66 K/BB ratio across 192 innings over 33 starts. He’s fallen from the ranks of the upper-echelon fantasy starter class but remains a durable workhorse, making at least 28 starts in each of the last four seasons. He would represent a quality mid-rotation stabilizer for the Cubs to complement rookie Cade Horton veterans Matthew Boyd, Shota Imanaga, Jameson Taillon and Colin Rea.

Gore has been at the epicenter of trade chatter for weeks this offseason, with The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon reporting earlier this week that more than half the league has at least checked in on his availability. ESPN’s Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel add that the Nationals are listening, but their asking price remains “understandably high.” The 26-year-old southpaw was brilliant in the first half of last season to earn his first All-Star Game selection before fading after the break and missing time with shoulder inflammation. Even so, he’ll be just 27 on Opening Day and profiles as a prime target for clubs unwilling to meet the stratospheric costs attached to the marquee arms in free agency or on the trade block. It also becomes a massive early decision for new president of baseball operations Paul Toboni as he spearheads the club’s rebuilding effort.

Brzykcy loses his spot on Miami’s 40-man roster in advance of next week’s Rule 5 Draft. The 26-year-old righty, who made a career-high 26 relief appearances this past season, was claimed off waivers from the Nationals last month. He’ll compete for a spot in the Marlins’ season-opening bullpen during spring training.