MLB Player News

Crochet said last Friday that he doesn't intend to have any radical change to his pitch mix for the upcoming season, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Crochet toyed with a sinker late last season and felt it gave him a fifth pitch to throw at any time, but the left-hander indicated he won't deviate much from the four-seamer/cutter usage this season. He made quite the jump in 2024, moving from the bullpen to the rotation while throwing 146 innings over 32 starts. Crochet projects as Boston's No. 1 starter.

Stewart (shoulder) started throwing in mid-November, but the Twins are unsure if he will be ready for the start of spring training, the Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Stewart underwent season-ending arthroscopic right shoulder surgery in August, and his initial recovery timeline was 5-to-6 months. He's been a lockdown reliever for Minnesota when healthy, collecting a 0.66 ERA and 56:17 K:BB through his first 41 innings with the Twins in 2023 and early 2024. However, he hurt his shoulder in May last year and wasn't the same pitcher thereafter, leaving his status for 2025 somewhat in question. If healthy and back to his prior form, he'd be a top setup option in the bullpen.

The Rays traded Lopez and Jeffrey Springs to the Athletics on Saturday in exchange for Joe Boyle, Jacob Watters, Will Simpson and a compensatory draft pick.

Lopez appeared in four games for the Rays last season, giving up six earned runs while striking out eight batters and walking seven across 10.1 innings. His performance improved slightly in Triple-A (4.26 ERA, 1.32 WHIP over 88.2 innings), and his chances of making the Athletics' Opening Day bullpen will likely depend on how well he does during spring training.

The Rays traded Springs and Jacob Lopez to the Athletics on Saturday in exchange for Joe Boyle, Jacob Watters, Will Simpson and a compensatory draft pick, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

After signing Luis Severino to the largest guaranteed deal in franchise history, the A's continue to invest into their rotation by acquiring Springs. The 32-year-old southpaw missed the first half of last season while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery but returned to start seven games for Tampa Bay, recording a 3.27 ERA and 1.36 WHIP over 33 innings. He and Severino will almost certainly slot in at the top of the Athletics' rotation, but because Springs has surpassed the 45-inning mark only once in his seven-year career, the A's may look to limit his workload in 2025.

Canterino (shoulder) is expected to work as a reliever next season, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. "He's starting to ramp up his throwing again," Twins GM Jeremy Zoll said.

Canterino missed the entire 2023 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. He returned for spring training but suffered a rotator cuff strain in mid-March and missed the rest of the season. It's a good sign he's started throwing again and it sounds like he'll be ready for spring training. The 2019 second-round draft pick was a rising pitching prospect when last on the mound in 2022 when he posted a 1.83 ERA with a 13.2 K/9 in 34.1 innings at Double-A. He has some upside as a reliever as a result -- if he can stay healthy.

Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said Tuesday that Fulmer (elbow) could be used as a starting pitcher in 2025, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Fulmer missed the 2024 season while recovering from UCL revision surgery and has been used as a reliever almost exclusively since 2021. He was a starter in his first four big-league seasons, however, and while it's much likelier that he'll ultimately settle into a relief role, it doesn't hurt to stretch him out a bit to give the Red Sox options. Fulmer is expected to be ready for spring training.

The Astros acquired Wesneski, Isaac Paredes and Cam Smith from the Cubs on Friday in exchange for Kyle Tucker, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Wesneski put up a 3.86 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 67:21 K:BB over 67.2 innings with the Cubs this past season, splitting time between the rotation and bullpen. The Houston native will be stretched out during spring training, but the right-hander's ultimate role next season could depend on what other moves Houston makes this winter, and how far Lance McCullers (forearm) and Luis Garcia (elbow) have progressed in their recoveries.

The Yankees acquired Williams from the Brewers on Friday in exchange for Nestor Cortes, Caleb Durbin and cash considerations, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Williams was limited to just 21.2 regular-season innings in 2024 due to back problems, but he finished the year healthy and was his usual, dominant self when on the mound, posting a 1.25 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 38:11 K:BB. He's set to make around around $8 million in 2025 in his final year of arbitration eligibility and will give the Yankees an upper echelon closer. Luke Weaver will shift to a setup role.

Altavilla signed a minor-league contract with the White Sox on Thursday and received an invitation to spring training.

Altavilla made five appearances for the Royals in 2024, giving up six earned runs over just 3.2 innings while striking out five batters and walking three. Most of his time was spent in Triple-A, however, where he logged a 3.51 ERA and 1.34 WHIP over 41 frames. The lack of depth in Chicago's bullpen will give the 32-year-old righty better odds at cracking the Opening Day roster, but Triple-A Charlotte remains his most likely destination.

Loaisiga (elbow) signed a one-year contract with the Yankees on Wednesday, Jorge Castillo of ESPN.com reports.

Loaisiga's new deal also includes a team option for the 2026 season. The 30-year-old reliever made three appearances for New York last season, throwing four scoreless innings while striking out three batters and walking one, but his year was cut short by a torn UCL in early April. The surgery he received to repair his elbow wasn't a full Tommy John procedure, so his return timeline is a few months shorter than it could've been, but it's still unlikely Loaisiga is ready to return to the Yankees' bullpen by Opening Day.