MLB Player News
-
Jacob Latz RP | TEX
Rangers' Jacob Latz: Competing for No. 5 spot
Latz will compete for a spot in Texas' starting rotation this spring, Kenndi Landry of MLB.com reports.
Latz, who served as a swingman in 2025, had a 2.93 ERA over 46.0 innings as a reliever and 2.72 ERA over 39.2 innings in eight spot starts. Those numbers indicate how valuable he was in a dual role; however, the left-hander will be given a shot at being a full-time starter. Latz said in January at the team's Winter Warm-Up that he wants to start, but his ability to excel at both jobs may be more valuable. Kumar Rocker is also in the mix for the final spot in the rotation. Cody Bradford (elbow) also would have been part of competition, but he's not due back until mid-May.
-
Dominic Hamel RP | NYY
Yankees' Dom Hamel: Sent outright to Triple-A
Hamel was sent outright to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Monday.
Hamel lost his spot on 40-man roster Wednesday but failed to draw any interest on the waiver wire. He struggled at Triple-A Syracuse a season ago, accruing a 5.32 ERA across 67.2 innings.
-
Kaleb Ort RP | LAA
Angels' Kaleb Ort: Reporting to Triple-A
Ort (elbow) was sent outright to Triple-A Salt Lake on Monday.
Ort lost his spot on the 40-man roster Friday after the club signed Brent Suter. After going unclaimed on waivers, Ort will report to Triple-A to prepare for the upcoming 2026 campaign. The status of his elbow remains unclear at this time.
-
Wyatt Mills RP | LAD
Dodgers' Wyatt Mills: Lands deal with LAD
Mills signed a minor-league contract with the Dodgers on Monday, which includes an invitation to spring training, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.
Mills is searching for a return to the major leagues after missing significant time while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. He returned to the bump a season ago pitching for Triple-A Worcester, posting a 3.12 ERA and 1.29 WHIP with a 49:30 K:BB across 52.0 innings (seven starts). Mills will have the chance to compete for a bullpen slot after signing on with LA.
-
Emmanuel Clase RP | CLE
Guardians' Emmanuel Clase: Not permitted in camp
Clase (personal) will remain on leave and is not permitted to report to spring training, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.
Both Clase and Luis L. Ortiz were placed on non-disciplinary paid leave last July amid allegations of sports gambling. The duo were then indicted in November related to an alleged scheme to rig bets on pitches thrown in MLB games. There remains no timeline for a resolution in each case.
-
Konnor Pilkington RP | DET
Tigers' Konnor Pilkington: Earns NRI from Tigers
The Tigers signed Pilkington to a minor-league contract Monday that includes an invitation to spring training, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
Pilkington elected free agency last week after being booted off the Nationals' 40-man roster and has quickly latched on with a new organization. The southpaw put up a 4.45 ERA and 34:17 K:BB over 28.1 innings with Washington last season and is likely ticketed for the Triple-A Toledo bullpen to begin the 2026 season.
-
Hunter Strickland RP | LAA
Angels' Hunter Strickland: Re-ups with Angels on MiLB deal
The Angels re-signed Strickland (shoulder) to a minor-league contract Monday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
Strickland missed the entire second half of the 2025 season with a right shoulder strain and it's unclear what his current health status is. The veteran reliever held a 3.27 ERA in 19 appearances for the Angels before getting hurt, but a 14:10 K:BB in 22 innings didn't make a pretty picture. If healthy, Strickland could eventually work his way into a middle-relief role for the Halos, but an initial stint at Triple-A Salt Lake is likely.
-
Josh Hader RP | HOU
Astros' Josh Hader: Throwing lightly on flat ground
Hader (shoulder) has been throwing lightly on flat ground and the Astros expect to have a better idea as to his status by the middle of this week, Buster Olney of ESPN reports.
Earlier in the offseason, Hader -- who missed the final seven-plus weeks of last season with a left shoulder strain -- told Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle that he felt "back to normal" and had been throwing off a mound. This latest update suggests there's less certainty about the closer's health, however. If it turns out that Hader had a setback or simply isn't ready, Bryan Abreu would be next in line for saves in the Houston bullpen.
-
Emilio Pagan RP | CIN
Reds' Emilio Pagan: Light use early
Pagan and teammate Tony Santillan will likely see less work in spring training games this year, especially early in the spring, Charlie Goldsmith of The Dayton Daily News reports. "We'll slow play them a little," pitching coach Derek Johnson said. "We need to give them a bit of time on the front end to build and maybe not be in games right away.
Pagan and Santillan were heavily used by the Reds last season, particularly down the stretch as the team tried to make the playoffs. The Reds did acquire Caleb Ferguson, Pierce Johnson and Brock Burke this offseason to help lighten the load on the two returning high-leverage arms.
-
Andrew Saalfrank RP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Andrew Saalfrank: Undergoes shoulder surgery
Saalfrank will miss the entire 2026 season after undergoing left shoulder surgery Monday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.
Saalfrank dealt with left shoulder fatigue this past September, and while he was cleared of structural damage at the time, subsequent testing evidently revealed the need for surgery. Specifics of Monday's operation aren't yet clear, but the loss of Saalfrank is a hit to a Diamondbacks bullpen already low on quality arms. The southpaw posted a 1.33 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 19:8 K:BB across 27 innings of work for Arizona in 2025.