MLB Player News

  • Juan Nunez SP | SD

    Padres' Juan Nunez: Swiped in Rule 5 draft

    The Padres selected Nunez (shoulder) with the 12th pick of the Rule 5 draft Wednesday, JJ Cooper of Baseball America reports.

    A shoulder injury caused Nunez to miss the final four months of the minor-league season as a member of the Orioles, so it's possible the Padres will be able to stash him on the injured list for a good chunk of the season. Nunez logged a 2.45 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 38:10 K:BB in 29.1 innings over seven appearances at High-A prior to the injury. If the Padres stash him all season, Nunez could be sent back to the minors to stretch back out as a starter in 2026.

  • Angel Bastardo SP | TOR

    Blue Jays' Angel Bastardo: Poached in Rule 5 draft

    The Blue Jays selected Bastardo (elbow) with the sixth pick in the Rule 5 draft Wednesday, JJ Cooper of Baseball America reports.

    Bastardo is recovering from Tommy John surgery that was completed in the middle of the 2024 season, so the Blue Jays may be able to stash him on the injured list for most of the season before easing him into a low-leverage relief role once he's completed a lengthy rehab assignment. Bastardo logged a 5.36 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 53:21 K:BB in 45.1 innings across 10 starts at Double-A last year before needing surgery, although his 4.28 FIP and 3.63 xFIP suggest he deserved a lower ERA. The Jays can stretch Bastardo back out as a starter in 2026 if they hold on to him in the majors/on the IL all season.

  • White Sox's Wikelman Gonzalez: Traded to ChiSox

    The Red Sox traded Gonzalez to the White Sox on Wednesday along with Kyle Teel, Braden Montgomery and Chase Meidroth in exchange for Garrett Crochet, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

    Gonzalez has a big arm but has had problems throwing strikes, having posted a 4.73 ERA and 92:46 K:BB over 83.2 innings at Double-A Portland in 2024. He is already on the 40-man roster but needs more seasoning in the minors if the White Sox intend to continue developing him as a starting pitcher.

  • Rangers' Michael Plassmeyer: MiLB deal with Texas

    The Rangers signed Plassmeyer to a minor-league contract Tuesday.

    Plassmeyer, 28, spent the 2024 season at Triple-A Indianapolis in the Pirates organization, posting a 7.93 ERA but also an 86:13 K:BB over 70.1 innings. The lefty has starter and reliever experience and it's not clear which role the Rangers have planned for him, but he's likely to begin the year at Triple-A Round Rock.

  • Kyle Bradish SP | BAL

    Orioles' Kyle Bradish: Begins throwing program

    Bradish (elbow) began a throwing program Wednesday, Danielle Allentuck of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

    It's the first time Bradish has played catch since he underwent Tommy John surgery with an internal brace in mid-June. The Orioles expect the right-hander to be ready to rejoin their rotation around midseason, although that's a rough timetable given how many hurdles he must clear.

  • Guardians' Michael Kennedy: Shipped to Cleveland

    The Pirates traded Kennedy, along with Luis Ortiz and Josh Hartle, to the Guardians on Tuesday in exchange for Spencer Horwitz, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

    Kennedy spent time in Single-A and High-A ball in 2024, posting a 3.53 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in 79 innings between the two levels. The 20-year-old southpaw has been largely successful at every level he's played in so far in his career, and he could receive a promotion to Double-A in 2025 if he continues at his current pace.

  • Luis Ortiz SP | CLE

    Guardians' Luis Ortiz: Dealt to Guardians

    The Pirates traded Ortiz, along with Josh Hartle and Michael Kennedy, to the Guardians on Tuesday in exchange for Spencer Horwitz, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

    Ortiz took a massive leap in 2024, posting a 3.32 ERA and 1.11 WHIP alongside a 107:42 K:BB in 135.2 innings. The Pirates used him as both a starter and reliever last year, though Shane Bieber's (elbow) injury and a general lack of starter depth could prompt Cleveland to keep Ortiz in its rotation full time.

  • Nathan Eovaldi SP | TEX

    Rangers' Nathan Eovaldi: Returning to Texas

    Eovaldi agreed to a three-year, $75 million contract with the Rangers on Tuesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

    Eovaldi turned down his $20 million player option earlier in the offseason, but he'll officially remain in Arlington on a multi-year deal that will pay him $5 million more in 2025 than if he had exercised his option. The 34-year-old righty has been fairly consistent during his time with the Rangers, posting a 3.72 ERA and 1.12 WHIP over the last two seasons, and he'll presumably follow Jacob deGrom as the second man in Texas' rotation.

  • Max Fried SP | NYY

    Yankees' Max Fried: Joins reigning AL champs

    Fried agreed to a eight year, $218 million contract with Yankees on Tuesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

    After coming up short on re-signing Juan Soto, the Yankees set their sights on the best remaining left-handed starter on the market. The deal is pending a physical, but Passan notes it's the largest guarantee in baseball history for a southpaw. There are no deferrals nor opt-outs in the contract, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports. Fried ends his Atlanta career with a 3.07 ERA in 168 appearances (151 starts). In his eighth and final season with the team in 2024, the 30-year-old posted a 3.08 ERA across 29 starts.

  • Alex Cobb SP | DET

    Tigers' Alex Cobb: Official with Tigers

    Cobb passed his physical with the Tigers on Tuesday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

    The Tigers agreed to a one-year contract with Cobb on Monday, a deal which includes $15 million for 2025 with incentives of $1 million apiece for reaching the 140- and 150-inning thresholds. Cobb dealt with injuries during his one season with the Guardians in 2024, but he logged 149.2 and 151.1 innings during the 2022 and 2023 seasons, respectively, as part of the Giants' rotation.

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