MLB Player News
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Albert Suarez SP | BAL
Orioles' Albert Suarez: Back with Orioles on NRI deal
The Orioles re-signed Suarez (forearm) to a minor-league contract Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.
Suarez was non-tendered by Baltimore last month but has made his way back into its organization. The right-hander was limited to only 11.2 innings with the big club in 2025, first due to a shoulder injury and then a flexor strain that ended his season. It's not clear what Suarez's current health status is, but he's been a useful swingman for the Orioles when available.
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Steven Matz SP | TB
Rays' Steven Matz: Will get another chance to start
Rays president of baseball operations Erik Neander said Tuesday that Matz will be given a chance to open the season in the rotation, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Neander said that Matz -- whose two-year, $15 million contract became official Tuesday -- has "a real desire" to be a starting pitcher again, and the "the investment was made with that in mind." All but two of Matz's 53 regular-season appearances in 2025 came out of the bullpen, but the 34-year-old has predominantly been a starter in his career. He posted a 3.05 ERA and 59:11 K:BB over 76.2 regular-season frames between the Cardinals and Red Sox this past season.
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Carlos Rodon SP | NYY
Yankees' Carlos Rodon: Resumes throwing program
Rodon (elbow) is in the second week of his throwing program, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.
Working his way back from surgery in mid-October to remove loose bodies and shave down a bone spur in his left elbow, Rodon most recently made 30 throws from 60-75 feet. The southpaw anticipates making some Grapefruit League starts, but he will begin the season on the injured list and isn't expected to make his regular-season debut for the Yankees until late April or early May.
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Jake Bennett SP | BOS
Red Sox's Jake Bennett: Dealt to Boston
Bennett was traded from the Nationals to the Red Sox on Monday in exchange for Luis Perales, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Bennett pitched well during the 2025 season in his first year back since Tommy John surgery, posting a 2.56 ERA and 1.13 WHIP with 33 strikeouts across 45.2 innings at Double-A. He's yet to pitch above the Double-A level, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see him begin the 2026 campaign in Portland now that he's joined Boston's farm system. Chief baseball officer for the Red Sox, Craig Breslow, is clearly high on the southpaw. "We feel like Bennett is a high probability starter that excels in some things that are hard to teach," said Breslow, per Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com. "Fastball playability driven by above average extension and strike throwing ability. His whiff rates and ability to manage hard contact have us confident in his ability to be a major league starter."
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Michael Plassmeyer SP | TEX
Blue Jays' Michael Plassmeyer: Gets minors pact from Blue Jays
The Blue Jays signed Plassmeyer to a minor-league contract Dec. 6.
Plassmeyer spent all of the 2025 season at Triple-A Round Rock in the Rangers organization, posting a 4.43 ERA and 99:34 K:BB over 105.2 innings while splitting time between the rotation and bullpen. It's unclear what role the Blue Jays have in mind for the southpaw, but he's likely headed to Triple-A Buffalo to begin the 2026 season.
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Reese Olson SP | DET
Tigers' Reese Olson: Beginning throwing progression
Olson (shoulder) was scheduled to begin a throwing progression this week, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Olson missed the final two month of the regular season and the playoffs with a right shoulder strain, but he is expected to be ready to go for the start of spring training. The right-hander has dealt with injury issues but has been effective when on the bump, boasting a career 3.60 ERA and 269:91 K:BB over 284.2 regular-season innings since 2023.
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Peyton Pallette SP | CLE
Guardians' Peyton Pallette: Pilfered by Cleveland
The Guardians selected Pallette with the ninth pick of the Rule 5 Draft on Wednesday.
Pallette was a second-round pick in 2022 by the White Sox and was recovering from Tommy John surgery at the time he was drafted. He moved to the bullpen in 2024 and spent most of 2025 at Triple-A, where he logged a 4.36 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 54:20 K:BB and three saves in 43.1 innings. Pallette has a mid-90s fastball with good spin and several solid secondary offerings, headlined by his curveball.
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Jedixson Paez SP | CHW
White Sox's Jedixson Paez: Snagged by South Siders
The White Sox selected Paez with the second pick in the Rule 5 Draft on Wednesday.
A skinny 6-foot-1 righty from the Red Sox's farm system, Paez only logged 19.1 innings at Double-A in 2025 due to a calf injury. Long known for his stingy control, Paez's walk rates have been below four percent at ever stop since the start of the 2023 season. He lacks impact stuff, but if the White Sox can coax a bit more velocity out of his 91-92 mph fastball, Paez could make it as a back-end starter. He'll likely work as a low-leverage reliever for as long as he sticks on Chicago's active roster in 2026.
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Shane Bieber SP | TOR
Blue Jays' Shane Bieber: Coming back from forearm fatigue
Bieber dealt with right forearm fatigue toward the end of this season, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.
It's not clear exactly when the issue popped up for Bieber, who was the last Blue Jays hurler to throw a pitch in Game 7 of the World Series against the Dodgers, serving up a go-ahead home run to Will Smith in the top of the 11th inning. General manager Ross Atkins said Monday that Bieber is "in a strong position" and the righty being ready for Opening Day is "a very realistic outcome." While the concern for Bieber doesn't currently seem to be high, the forearm issue and past Tommy John surgery surely weighed into the pitcher's decision to exercise a $16 million player option rather than test the open market. More should be known about Bieber's health status during spring training.
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Shane Bieber SP | TOR
Blue Jays' Shane Bieber: Workload could be eyed this spring
Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said Monday that the team could monitor Bieber's workload during spring training, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Bieber isn't dealing with any known injury, but the Blue Jays will be careful with him in his first full season back from Tommy John surgery. The 30-year-old threw a total of 88 innings in 2025 after handling only 12 innings in 2024. Bieber exercised his $16 million player option for 2026 last month to remain with the Blue Jays rather than test the open market.