MLB Player News

Altuve (foot) is healthy to start spring training and is expected to serve as the Astros' primary second baseman this season, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Altuve dealt with a rocky transition to left field to start the 2025 campaign and finished the year with a nagging foot injury, resulting in a .265 batting average, the lowest of his career apart from the 2020 shortened season. Now healthy and back at second base, Altuve will look to rebound in 2026. Manager Joe Espada emphasized the 35-year-old Altuve's health earlier in the offseason, stating that he needs to "help Jose have the right amount of time to be off his feet." With Houston's current surplus of infielders, it seems likely that Altuve will at least play fewer than the 155 games he did in 2025.

Schneider will handle the short side of a platoon with Nathan Lukes in left field to begin the season, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

With Anthony Santander (shoulder) potentially set to miss the entire season, the Blue Jays will turn to their collection of role players to fill the gap in the lineup. Schneider hasn't shown a platoon split in the majors and actually hit better against right-handed pitching in 2025, posting a .915 OPS against same-handed hurlers in 99 plate appearances versus a .708 OPS in 129 PAs versus lefties. It's possible that if the 27-year-old doesn't improve those numbers, he could lose playing time to the defensively superior Myles Straw.

Gelof (shoulder) said Wednesday that he's "feeling healthy, feeling ready to go" and expects to be a full participant when he reports to spring training later this week, Jason Burke of SI.com reports.

After posting 14 home runs and 14 steals in just 69 games as a rookie in 2023, Gelof looked to be a central figure in the Athletics' rebuilding effort, but injuries and an ability to make consistent contact against big-league pitching have left his future murky. He didn't make his 2025 big-league debut until early July while recovering from a fractured bone in his right wrist and a stress reaction in his ribs, then slashed just .174/.230/.272 with a 45.5 percent strikeout rate over 101 plate appearances between two stints with the Athletics before he was shut down in late September due to a dislocated left shoulder. He appears to be healthy again following surgery on the shoulder, but Gelof may need a strong showing at the plate during Cactus League play to make a compelling case for a spot on the Athletics' Opening Day roster.

Westburg could miss the first few Grapefruit League games after suffering a strained right oblique in late January, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Oblique injuries have a tendency to linger, so the Orioles will proceed cautiously with the infielder so he doesn't suffer a setback. Westburg is projected to be the team's everyday third baseman this season, though he could fill in at second base while Jackson Holliday (hand) is sidelined to begin the campaign.

The Yankees acquired Schuemann from the Athletics in exchange for minor-league RHP Luis Burgos on Monday.

Schuemann was designated for assignment by the Athletics last week and will now head to New York to compete for a reserve infielder job this spring. Schuemann has slashed .212/.306/.297 with nine home runs, 47 RBI, 75 runs scored, 21 stolen bases and a 69:154 BB:K across 672 big-league plate appearances since making his MLB debut in 2024.

Gonzalez dealt with left shoulder inflammation much of the offseason and is expected to be limited at the start of spring training, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

Gonzalez initially injured his left shoulder in the final series of the regular season against the Tigers back in September before going 1-for-9 at the plate in the wild-card series loss to the Yankees. Gonzalez didn't require any sort of offseason surgery but did receive a PRP injection after experiencing discomfort after swinging the bat in January. Gonzalez is aiming to be ready for Opening Day and is once again expected to fill a utility role for Boston this season.

The Rays designated Wisely for assignment Friday.

Tampa Bay acquired Victor Mesa from the Marlins via trade. In order to make room on the 40-man roster, Wisely was designated for assignment. The 26-year-old spent time with San Francisco and Atlanta last season, appearing in 26 MLB games and posting a .594 OPS. He slashed .253/.332/.387 across 342 plate appearances with the Giants' Triple-A affiliate in 2025.

The Athletics designated Schuemann for assignment on Friday.

Schuemann will lose his spot on the 40-man roster for the A's to claim Andy Ibanez off waivers. Schuemann appeared in 101 big-league games last season, slashing .197/.295/.273 with two home runs, seven stolen bases, 13 RBI, 20 runs scored and a 22:35 BB:K across 213 plate appearances.

The Athletics claimed Ibanez off waivers from the Dodgers on Friday, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.

The Dodgers signed Ibanez to a one-year, $1.2 million contract in early January but then designated him for assignment less than a month later. He'll now head to the Athletics and should be in the mix for playing time at third base. Ibanez holds a career .280/.327/.452 slash line versus left-handed pitching.

Rodgers (back) signed a minor-league contract with the Red Sox on Thursday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Rodgers endured an injury-plagued 2025 season with the Astros, as he was limited to only 128 plate appearances due multiple injuries. He should have had plenty of time to get healthy ahead of the 2026 campaign, and he will be set to compete for a roster spot with the Red Sox. Rodgers could land a bench role, as Boston has several options at second base but currently lacks a clear starter.