MLB Player News

The Rays acquired Wisely and Ken Waldichuk from Atlanta on Monday in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations.

Wisely came up through the minors with the Rays before being traded to the Giants in November 2022. The 26-year-old is a career .214/.265/.319 hitter over parts of three major-league seasons, but he's slashed .275/.372/.433 at the Triple-A level and can play all over the diamond. Wisely is out of minor-league options and could compete for the Rays' opening at second base, though a reserve role is likelier.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Saturday that he expects Contreras to be his cleanup hitter this season, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Things could change based on additional moves the Red Sox make this offseason, but as things stand, Contreras is penciled into the No. 4 spot. Jarren Duran, Trevor Story and Roman Anthony appear likely to hit in the first three spots of the batting order, setting Contreras up for plenty of RBI opportunities. Acquired via trade from the Cardinals in December, Contreras slashed 257/.344/.447 with 20 home runs over 562 plate appearances with St. Louis in 2025.

The Red Sox signed Sikkema to a minor-league contract Jan. 6 that includes an invitation to spring training.

Sikkema was in the Reds organization this past season, posting a 4.57 ERA and 72:31 K:BB over 86.2 innings in 15 starts and eight relief appearances between Double-A Chattanooga and Triple-A Louisville. The 27-year-old lefty has yet to appear in the majors but will get a chance in spring training to compete for a spot on Boston's Opening Day roster.

Jimenez and the Blue Jays agreed on a minor-league contract Sunday, Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com reports.

Jimenez will stick around with the Blue Jays organization after ending the 2025 campaign with Triple-A Durham. The 29-year-old batted .278 with three home runs, 29 RBI, 14 runs scored and a stolen base over 151 at-bats in 40 contests with Durham last year. Jimenez has reportedly lost 20 pounds since the end of the 2025 campaign, and he has been playing in the Dominican winter league. Additionally, the contract he signed Sunday includes a spring training invite.

Crawford (wrist) threw off a mound Friday, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Crawford sat out the entire 2025 season while recovering from both a knee injury and surgery on his wrist. Friday marked the first time he's worked off a mound since going under the knife in July. The 29-year-old righty said Saturday that he is now fully healthy but is a bit behind schedule compared to his typical offseason progression, which may impact his chances of making the Red Sox's rotation immediately out of spring training.

Madrigal (shoulder) signed a minor-league contract with the Angels on Friday that includes an invitation to spring training, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Madrigal missed all of 2025 while recovering from a procedure he underwent in February to repair his fractured left shoulder. The 28-year-old is expected to be fully healthy by the time spring training begins, and he'll have a chance to make the Angels' Opening Day roster during camp. However, it's more likely he opens the season at Triple-A Salt Lake.

The Red Sox signed Martinez to a minor-league contract Friday that includes an invitation to spring training, Andrew Parker of SoxProspects.com reports.

Martinez has produced a 4.00 ERA and 126:57 K:BB over 144 innings covering parts of five major-league seasons. The 31-year-old will try to win a spot in the Boston bullpen but is likely ticketed for Triple-A Worcester to begin the 2026 campaign.

The Rangers claimed Kent off waivers from the Cardinals on Friday.

Kent came up in the minors with the Rangers before being traded to the Guardians in March 2024. He posted a 4.58 ERA and 16:8 K:BB over 17.2 innings with Cleveland in 2025 before St. Louis claimed off waivers in December and then designated him for assignment earlier this week. Kent will compete for a spot in the Texas bullpen.

The Orioles outrighted Robertson to Triple-A Norfolk on Friday, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

He's no longer on the 40-man roster but will remain in the organization after passing through waivers. Robertson went just 9-for-70 with a 2:27 BB:K over 75 plate appearances between the Blue Jays and White Sox in 2025 in his first taste of the majors, but he slashed .289/.387/.571 with 20 homers at the Triple-A level this past season.

The Yankees claimed Ort (elbow) off waivers from the Astros on Friday, Ari Alexander of 7 News Boston reports.

Ort was terrific for the Astros in 2024 but took a step back in 2025, finishing with a 4.89 ERA and 49:27 K:BB over 46 innings. He also missed the final month of the season with elbow inflammation, although it would seem the Yankees believe that the injury is behind him. Ort will compete for a bullpen job and does not have minor-league options remaining.