MLB Player News
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Gavin Fien SS | WAS
Nationals' Gavin Fien: Traded to Nationals
The Rangers traded Fien to the Nationals on Thursday alongside Alejandro Rosario (elbow), Abimelec Ortiz, Devin Fitz-Gerald (shoulder) and Yeremy Cabrera in exchange for MacKenzie Gore, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
After being selected 12th overall in the 2025 First-Year Player Draft, Fien reported to the Rangers' Single-A affiliate and slashed .220/.267/.341 with seven RBI and four runs scored across 45 plate appearances. He's highly regarded for his hitting, power and arm, though it will likely be a few years before the 18-year-old infielder makes his MLB debut.
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Luke Williams SS | ATL
Braves' Luke Williams: Returns to Atlanta on MiLB deal
Atlanta re-signed Williams to a minor-league contract Jan. 18.
Williams elected free agency earlier in the offseason after being cast off Atlanta's 40-man roster, but he's found his way back into the organization on a minor-league pact. The 29-year-old has managed just a .212/.270/.280 batting line covering parts of five major-league seasons, but Williams will give Atlanta some utility depth.
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Jett Williams SS | MIL
Brewers' Jett Williams: Traded in Peralta deal
The Mets traded Williams to the Brewers on Wednesday alongside Brandon Sproat in exchange for Freddy Peralta and Tobias Myers, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
After posting an .867 OPS over 96 games with the Mets' Double-A affiliate last season, Williams received a promotion to Triple-A Syracuse in mid-August and slashed .209/.285/.433 with seven homers, 15 RBI and 21 runs scored across 151 plate appearances. The 22-year-old prospect doesn't own a 40-man roster spot, making it likely that he will report to Triple-A Nashville to begin his tenure with the Brewers. However, he could be promoted sometime during the season if shortstop Joey Ortiz's offensive struggles carry into 2026.
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Tsung-Che Cheng SS | WAS
Mets' Tsung-Che Cheng: DFA'd by Mets
The Mets designated Cheng for assignment Wednesday.
The move frees a spot on the 40-man roster for the signing of Luis Garcia. Cheng -- who was a waiver claim of the Mets just last week -- slashed only .209/.307/.271 at Triple-A Indianapolis in the Pirates organization in 2025. He could remain in the Mets organization if he passes through waivers unclaimed.
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Tristan Gray SS | MIN
Twins' Tristan Gray: Dealt to Minnesota
The Twins acquired Gray from the Red Sox on Wednesday in exchange for Nate Baez, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
It's the second time this offseason that Gray has been traded, as he was dealt from the Rays to the Red Sox in November. The 29-year-old has slashed .207/.264/.369 over parts of three big-league seasons and he is capable of playing all four infield spots. Gray will compete for a reserve role in Minnesota.
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Jorge Mateo SS | ATL
Braves' Jorge Mateo: Gets one-year deal from Atlanta
Atlanta signed Mateo to a one-year contract Monday.
With Ha-Seong Kim (finger) set to miss at least the first six weeks or so of the season, Atlanta has added Mateo as a depth option at shortstop. The 30-year-old Mateo was plagued by injuries in his last two seasons with the Orioles, finishing with a lowly .177/.217/.266 batting line over 42 contests in 2025. He's healthy, now, though, and offers the ability to play second base, third base and all three outfield spots in addition to shortstop. Mauricio Dubon remains the likely Opening Day starter at shortstop for Atlanta, but Mateo will be in the mix while Kim recuperates from finger surgery.
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Masyn Winn SS | STL
Cardinals' Masyn Winn: Plans to run more with healthy knee
Winn has been sprinting for weeks and will not have any limitations with his surgically repaired right knee at the beginning of spring training, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Winn played through a slight meniscus tear in his knee for most of the 2025 season before eventually having surgery in late September. While he won his first Gold Glove, Winn's offensive production slipped, as he finished with just a .673 OPS, nine home runs and nine stolen bases. With his knee repaired, Winn plans to be more active on the basepaths in 2026, saying, "I want to be able to use that speed."
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Elly De La Cruz SS | CIN
Reds' Elly De La Cruz: Not playing in WBC
The Reds did not give De La Cruz permission to play in the World Baseball Classic, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.
De La Cruz wanted to represent the Dominican Republic, but Cincy has lingering concerns about a quad injury that appeared to limit him over the second half of the 2025 season. The shortstop, who still played all 162 regular-season games, experienced a second-half dip last year after a strong first half. Reds manager Terry Francona acknowledged the need to find ways to keep De La Cruz fresh in 2026, and the trade of Gavin Lux will allow starters to rotate through DH and get breaks from playing the field, per Rosencrans.
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Matt McLain SS | CIN
Reds' Matt McLain: Adds 12 pounds over offseason
McLain has added 12 pounds of muscle over the offseason, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.
After rehabbing injuries each of the last two offseasons, McLain has been able to focus on training this winter and said he feels like he's getting a "fresh start" heading into the 2026 season. The second baseman slashed a disappointing .220/.300/.343 over 147 regular-season contests in 2025, but he has some bounce-back potential heading into his age-26 campaign.
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Tsung-Che Cheng SS | WAS
Mets' Tsung-Che Cheng: Grabbed on waivers by Mets
The Mets claimed Cheng off waivers from the Rays on Friday.
It's already the third organization Cheng has been with this month as he bounces around via waivers. The 24-year-old slashed just .209/.307/.271 at Triple-A Indianapolis and went hitless in a brief stint with the Pirates last season, but the Mets felt Cheng was a worthy infield depth addition.