MLB Player News
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Enmanuel Valdez 2B | PIT
Pirates' Enmanuel Valdez: Back in action in winter ball
Valdez (shoulder) has returned to game action with the Estrellas Orientales in the Dominican Winter League, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.
Valdez underwent season-ending surgery in May to repair a dislocated left shoulder, but he's played three winter ball games and smacked a grand slam in his third contest for Estrellas on Sunday. Slated to turn 27 later this month, Valdez slashed .209/.294/.363 with two home runs and an 11:16 BB:K over 102 plate appearances for Pittsburgh before getting hurt. It seems Valdez will ready to roll for the start of spring training and he'll compete for a spot on the Pirates' Opening Day roster in 2026.
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Rodolfo Castro 2B | PHI
Blue Jays' Rodolfo Castro: Grabs NRI from Toronto
The Blue Jays signed Castro to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training, Ari Alexander of WHDH 7News in Boston reports.
Castro spent the 2025 campaign at Triple-A Lehigh Valley in the Phillies organization, slashing .235/.324/.421with 19 homers and 18 steals over 133 contests. The 26-year-old utility infielder last appeared in the majors in 2023 and is likely to begin next season at Triple-A Buffalo.
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Marcus Semien 2B | NYM
Mets' Marcus Semien: Headed to New York
The Rangers are trading Semien to the Mets in exchange for outfielder Brandon Nimmo, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Semien's numbers have been trending down in recent years, and his .669 OPS last season was the lowest mark of his career. However, the 35-year-old still provided a mix of moderate power and speed with 15 homers and 11 stolen bases, and he offers elite defense at second base, as he's coming off winning his second Gold Glove Award. Semien ended the campaign on the 60-day injured list due to a foot injury, but he's expected to have a normal offseason and to be ready for spring training. Nimmo has a full no-trade clause in his contract, but per Will Sammon of The Athletic, the outfielder has already approved the deal.
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Ramon Urias 2B | HOU
Ramon Urias: Becomes free agent
The Astros non-tendered Urias on Friday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
The decision to non-tender Urias became expected after the Astros pushed him off the 40-man roster Tuesday. The 31-year-old infielder finished the 2025 campaign slashing .241/.292/.384 through 391 plate appearances between the Orioles and Astros, and his defense should be enough to net him another big-league contract in the offseason.
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Jonathan India 2B | KC
Royals' Jonathan India: Settles with Royals at $8 million
The Royals and India avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $8 million contract, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.
India was seen as a non-tender candidate after he slashed a disappointing .233/.323/.346 over 136 games in his first year in Kansas City, but the Royals ultimately decided to bring him back in his final year of arbitration eligibility. Slated to turn 29 next month, India played second base, third base and left field for the Royals in 2025 and could bounce around to different positions for them again in 2026.
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Mauricio Dubon 2B | ATL
Braves' Mauricio Dubon: Avoids arbitration
Atlanta and Dubon avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract Friday.
Jon Heyman of the New York Post says the deal is worth $6.1 million. Dubon was acquired via trade from the Astros earlier this week and is tentatively slated to open 2026 as Atlanta's starting shortstop. However, further roster additions could push the 31-year-old to a utility role.
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Payton Eeles 2B | MIN
Orioles' Payton Eeles: Traded to Baltimore
The Orioles acquired Eeles from the Twins on Friday in exchange for Alex Jackson, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.
Eeles slashed .253/.379/.321 with four homers and 21 stolen bases over 86 contests at Triple-A St. Paul in 2025. The 5-foot-5 utility player is capable of handling most positions, giving the Orioles some versatile depth.
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Raynel Delgado 2B | MIL
Rays' Raynel Delgado: Signs with Rays
Delgado signed a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training with the Rays on Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Delgado spent the entire 2025 season with the Brewers' Triple-A affiliate, slashing .281/.363/.378 with 53 RBI, 58 runs scored and 40 stolen bases across 474 plate appearances. The 25-year-old infielder has yet to make his big-league debut but will get a chance to compete for a roster spot during spring training.
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Mauricio Dubon 2B | ATL
Braves' Mauricio Dubon: Traded to Atlanta
The Astros traded Dubon to Atlanta on Wednesday in exchange for Nick Allen, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Dubon slashed .241/.289/.355 with seven homers, 33 RBI and 43 runs scored across 398 plate appearances in 2025. While he may not be the most formidable threat at the plate, Dubon offers elite defensive versatility. He could see most of his action at shortstop if Atlanta doesn't make any significant offseason acquisitions.
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Ramon Urias 2B | HOU
Astros' Ramon Urias: Booted off 40-man roster
The Astros designated Urias for assignment Tuesday.
The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Miguel Ullola. Urias is projected to make more than $4 million in his final year of arbitration eligibility, which the Astros felt was too much. The 31-year-old is a career .257/.321/.403 hitter and capable defender at second and third base, so he shouldn't have difficult landing a major-league contract this winter, assuming he clears waivers and becomes a free agent.