MLB Player News

Rosenthal, Lin and Sammon add the Padres have expressed interest in the Mets’ trio of elite pitching prospects — Nolan McLean, Jonah Tong and Brandon Sproat — while noting that franchise cornerstones Francisco Lindor and Fernando Tatis Jr. have not surfaced in trade discussions. Any deal involving those prospects would qualify as a blockbuster, though McLean’s inclusion would be especially surprising given that he’s been viewed as virtually untouchable since making his major-league debut late last season. New York remains in the market for an established front-line starter and an additional high-leverage reliever to pair with newly acquired stopper Devin Williams following Edwin Díaz’s departure to Los Angeles. While The Athletic notes that nothing appears imminent, this is a situation worth monitoring closely from a fantasy standpoint.

Alcántara was in Nationals camp as a non-roster invitee this spring. The 29-year-old journeyman infielder got into one contest for the Diamondbacks last year, his first big-league stint since 2022. He should be able to latch on somewhere as organizational depth at the Triple-A level.

Jackson remains with Minnesota as emergency catching depth behind Ryan Jeffers and Victor Caratini. The 30-year-old backstop has gotten into 161 games between six different organizations since 2019.

Thompson remains with the Rockies as organizational relief depth after being claimed off waivers from the Reds back in January. The 31-year-old veteran reliever holds a serviceable 3.64 ERA — 4.58 xERA — across 227 1/3 innings in the majors since 2021.

Rodgers has been cut loose after undergoing right shoulder surgery earlier this month, extinguishing his chances of making Boston’s season-opening roster. The 29-year-old second baseman is facing an extended absence but could wind up finding another opportunity somewhere else on a minor league deal.

Knizner will head out to the open market after the Mariners decided to roll with veteran Mitch Garver as Cal Raleigh’s primary caddy this spring. The 31-year-old backstop got into 33 games for the Giants last year. He should be able to latch on somewhere as emergency catching depth.

Kirby put together a phenomenal spring, flashing an uptick in velocity, and will get the ball after Logan Gilbert takes his turn on Opening Day at T-Mobile Park. He’ll be followed by Bryan Woo and Emerson Hancock over the weekend before Luis Castillo makes his season debut against the Yankees on Monday.

Holliday is trending towards an early-season return to Baltimore’s lineup after suffering a hamate fracture in his right wrist earlier this spring. The 22-year-old former top prospect, who was officially placed on the 10-day injured list earlier on Wednesday, will get a couple rehab contests under his belt before making his season debut.

Universally regarded as one of the top prospects in baseball, McGonigle opens the season as Detroit’s starting shortstop or third baseman. The 21-year-old prodigy’s ability to generate consistent hard contact, while also displaying elite plate skills, at such a young age makes it challenging to imagine a future where he isn’t an impactful five-category fantasy contributor.

The deal is now official. Slater heads to Miami as a southpaw-mashing platoon specialist to pair with left-handed corner outfielders Owen Caissie and Griffin Conine. The 33-year-old veteran is a strong bench bat but he can be safely ignored in all fantasy formats.

Nunez winds up landing a spot in Baltimore’s season-opening bullpen after being shipped to the minors earlier this month. The 24-year-old was added to the club’s 40-man roster during the offseason after compiling an impressive 2.06 ERA and 83/24 K/BB ratio across 56 2/3 innings over 49 appearances across three minor-league levels last year