MLB Player News
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Payton Tolle SP | BOS
Red Sox's Payton Tolle: Looking to protect fastball
Tolle plans to mix in more secondary offerings to complement his fastball during the upcoming season, Christoper Smith of MassLive.com reports.
Over his 16.1 regular-season innings in the big leagues last season, Tolle's fastball averaged 96.7 miles per hour with a perceived speed of 98.7 mph due to extension and ride. The heater can be a weapon for the young left-hander, but opponents were able to hit the pitch in 2025, going 13-for-46 (.283 average) against it with a .565 slugging percentage. That's likely due to Tolle's heavy reliance on the offering, which he threw 64.1 percent of the time. Tolle feels his changeup -- which he threw just 6.9 percent of the time -- can be featured more often in 2026. Though Tolle will be given the chance to compete for the fifth spot in Boston's Opening Day rotation this spring, the fact that the 23-year-old has minor-league options remaining could work against him. Along with Tolle, Kutter Crawford, Connelly Early, Johan Oviedo and Patrick Sandoval are vying for back-end rotation spots.
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George Valera CF | CLE
Guardians' George Valera: In mix for Opening Day roster
Valera enters spring training under no restrictions and will compete for a spot on the 26-man roster, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.
Valera's previous three springs were marred by injuries, with two of them impacted by offseason rehab. He's had a normal offseason this year, and Guardians manager Stephen Vogt hopes to see the outfielder in a spring training game for the first time since he was named Cleveland's skipper prior to the 2024 season. Valera made his MLB debut in 2025, posting a .220/.333/.415 slash line with two home runs, five RBI and a 13:7 K:BB ratio over 16 contests down the stretch and into the postseason. He regularly started against right-handers and was often used as the No. 2 hitter. "He can manage an at-bat," Vogt said. "He makes great swing decisions. He's got power. He's just a good, good hitter." The 25-year-old will compete with current prospects Chase DeLauter and CJ Kayfus for a spot in the outfield/DH mix.
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Andrew Benintendi LF | CHW
White Sox's Andrew Benintendi: Focused on getting on base
Benintendi anticipates focusing on getting on base rather than hitting for power in 2026, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Benintendi has hit 20 home runs in consecutive seasons, but he's gotten on base at just a .289 and .307 clip during those two campaigns. He explained that he felt added pressure to deliver power based on the lack of pop elsewhere in the White Sox's lineup, something that is expected to change in 2026 with Colson Montgomery and Munetaka Murakami a part of the everyday starting nine. Benintendi shed weight this offseason to take pressure off his Achilles, after suffering an injury in July that nagged him for the rest of the 2025 season.
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Felix Bautista RP | BAL
Orioles' Felix Bautista: No rush to pitch in 2026
The Orioles aren't going to push Bautista (shoulder) to pitch in 2026, per MLB.com.
The hard-throwing right-hander is progressing well from right shoulder surgery in August of 2025 to repair a torn rotator cuff and torn labrum, but Baltimore has no intentions to rush Bautista back into the fray. His throwing progression will be worth monitoring, but the expectation remains that Bautista won't be much of a fantasy factor in 2026, if at all. Ryan Helsley signed a two-year contract with the O's in November and is all set to start the new season with a big opportunity to bounce back as the club's top closer, after limping to a 7.20 ERA through 20 regular-season innings with the Mets to finish last year.
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Jonny DeLuca LF | TB
Rays' Jonny DeLuca: In line for short-side role
DeLuca (hamstring/quad) is likely to see regular at-bats against left-handed pitching this season, per John Romano of the Tampa Bay Times.
DeLuca stands out as one of Tampa Bay's few right-handed-hitting outfielders, considering the club's primary options consist of as lefty-hitters Chandler Simpson, Cedric Mullins and Jake Fraley. DeLuca ended the 2025 season on the 60-day injured list due to a right quadriceps strain, so he'll need to prove he's healthy during spring training before the Rays trust him to handle this role. The 27-year-old posted a promising .812 OPS with six stolen bases through 59 regular-season plate appearances amidst an injury-plagued 2025 campaign, and it doesn't sound like he'll open the new year in a spot for everyday action.
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Carlos Narvaez C | BOS
Red Sox's Carlos Narvaez: Expected to remain starting catcher
Narvaez (knee) will serve as Boston's starting catcher again in 2026, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.
According to manager Alex Cora, Narvaez's knee was a problem throughout the entire 2025 season. Narvaez was able to avoid the injured list and remained an excellent defensive backstop, but the injury helps explain his offensive downturn in the second half, when he posted a .187/.233/.387 slash line. Following a left knee meniscectomy in October, Narvaez will slot back in as the No. 1 catcher for the Red Sox ahead of Connor Wong.
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Colin Selby RP | BAL
Orioles' Colin Selby: Beginning season on IL
The Orioles placed Selby on the 60-day injured list Saturday due to right shoulder inflammation, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.
Selby's move to the 60-day IL will ensure he remains sidelined until at least late May and opens up a spot on the 40-man roster for Jackson Kowar, who was acquired in a trade with the Twins on Saturday. Selby isn't reportedly dealing with any structural damage, which increases the likelihood that he could return to the Orioles' bullpen after a minimum-length IL stint.
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Jesse Hahn RP | TOR
Blue Jays' Jesse Hahn: Joins Blue Jays
Hahn signed a minor-league contract with the Blue Jays on Saturday that includes an invitation to big-league spring training.
Hahn spent most of his time with the Mariners' Triple-A affiliate last season, where he logged a 6.40 ERA and 1.68 WHIP across 32.1 innings. Barring a significant turnaround during spring training, the 36-year-old is likely to return to Triple-A to begin 2026.
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Jackson Kowar RP | BAL
Orioles' Jackson Kowar: Shipped to Baltimore
The Twins traded Kowar (shoulder) to the Orioles on Saturday in exchange for cash.
The Twins DFA'd Kowar on Thursday to make room for Anthony Banda, and the former will now find a home on Baltimore's 40-man roster. The 29-year-old righty finished 2025 with a 4.23 ERA and 1.24 WHIP across 17 innings with the Mariners and will have to break camp with the O's in order to keep his spot on the 40-man roster. Colin Selby (shoulder) was placed on the 60-day IL in a corresponding move.
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Andrew Chafin RP | MIN
Twins' Andrew Chafin: Gets invitation to Twins' camp
Chafin signed a minor-league contract with the Twins on Saturday that includes an invite to big-league spring training, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.
Chafin turned in a 2.41 ERA over 33.2 innings with the Nationals and Angels in 2025, though his 1.43 WHIP suggests that a handful of lucky breaks helped to prevent runs from scoring against him. Minnesota's bullpen competition is wide open, so the left-hander could land an Opening Day roster spot with a strong Grapefruit League showing.