MLB Player News
-
J.P. France SP | HOU
Astros' J.P. France: Designated for assignment
France was designated for assignment by the Astros on Thursday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
France missed most of the 2025 season while recovering from a torn right shoulder capsule. He returned to throw four innings out of the bullpen late in the year, but he'll now have to battle for a roster spot during spring training.
-
Elijah Morgan RP | CHC
Royals' Eli Morgan: Gets look from KC
Morgan signed a minor-league contract, which includes an invitation to spring training, with the Royals on Thursday.
Morgan had a few strong seasons in Cleveland, but struggled with both injuries and his performance as a member of the Cubs in 2025. If he regains his past form, he could have a path to a spot in the Royals' bullpen to begin the new campaign.
-
Samuel Basallo C | BAL
Orioles' Samuel Basallo: Slims down over winter
Basallo said at the Orioles' recent Birdland Caravan fan event that he's lost around 15 pounds this offseason, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.
Listed at 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds, Basallo could afford to slim down a bit without sacrificing the massive power that's helped propel him to being one of the most exciting young hitters in baseball. The 21-year-old is locked into an Opening Day roster spot after signing an eight-year, $67 million contract extension six days into his big-league career. Where the playing time will come from is less of a sure thing, as the Orioles have Adley Rutschman at catcher and Pete Alonso at first base. Settling in at designated hitter is Basallo's most likely path, but he will get starts in the field, as well.
-
Osvaldo Bido SP | LAA
Angels' Osvaldo Bido: DFA'd by Halos
The Angels designated Bido for assignment Thursday.
Bido began the offseason with the Athletics but has since been claimed and waived by Atlanta, Tampa Bay, Miami and now the Angels. The 30-year-old finished 2025 with a 5.87 ERA and 1.61 WHIP over 79.2 innings and could be used as a long reliever in the big leagues if he gets claimed again. Otherwise, he'll report to Triple-A Salt Lake to begin the year.
-
Jayvien Sandridge RP | LAA
Angels' Jayvien Sandridge: Shipped to Anaheim
The Yankees traded Sandridge to the Angels on Thursday in exchange for cash.
Sandridge was DFA'd by the Yankees on Tuesday, but his move to the Angels will allow him to reclaim a 40-man roster spot. The 26-year-old was uninspiring during his MLB debut in July, giving up two earned runs in just two-thirds of an inning. He finished with a 4.55 ERA and 1.47 WHIP through 31.2 frames at Triple-A, however, and he could be used more frequently in the big leagues by an Angels squad that doesn't boast much bullpen depth. Osvaldo Bido was DFA'd in a corresponding move.
-
Jacob Wilson SS | ATH
Athletics' Jacob Wilson: Working on bulking up
Wilson said earlier this month that adding strength has "been the main focus for the last couple of offseasons now," Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
Wilson showed a little more pop than expected in 2025, slugging 13 home runs. Power is considered the weakest part of his offensive game, though, so he's working on adding a little bulk this winter. Still, fantasy managers should consider it a bonus if they get double-digit home runs out of Wilson again in 2026, as he is most likely to provide an elite batting average but not much else.
-
Sebastian Walcott SS | TEX
Rangers' Sebastian Walcott: Invited to spring training
The Rangers have extended Walcott an invitation to big-league camp during spring training, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Walcott was in major-league camp for the Rangers last year, too, before being an early cut. He might stick around longer this year, but the young shortstop will again head back to the minors for the start of the 2026 campaign. Slated to turn 20 in March, Walcott slashed .255/.355/.386 with 13 home runs and 32 stolen bases over 124 games in 2025 at Double-A Frisco. Walcott isn't a finished product but has some of the highest fantasy upside of any position player in the minors.
-
Bryan Ramos 3B | CHW
White Sox's Bryan Ramos: Designated for assignment
The White Sox designated Ramos for assignment Thursday.
Ramos will give up his place on the 40-man roster to make room for Seranthony Dominguez, who officially signed with the team Thursday. Ramos has appeared in 36 games for the White Sox since making his MLB debut in 2024 and has slashed just .198/.244/.333 with three homers, 13 RBI and 14 runs scored across 119 plate appearances. He's still just 23 years old, however, so another team may be willing to claim the young infielder off waivers.
-
Braden Montgomery OF | CHW
White Sox's Braden Montgomery: Garners spring invite
The White Sox have extended Montgomery an invitation to big-league camp during spring training.
Fellow top prospects Noah Schultz and Hagen Smith will also be in major-league camp for the White Sox. All three are unlikely to make the Opening Day roster, but Montgomery could push to debut at some point in 2026, especially with Chicago's lack of outfield depth. The 22-year-old finished the 2025 campaign at Double-A Birmingham, putting up a .270/.360/.444 batting line with 12 home runs and 14 stolen bases across three stops.
-
Bailey Ober SP | MIN
Twins' Bailey Ober: Pitched through hip problems
Ober pitched through persistent hip issues last season, both before and after his IL trip in July, Matthew Leach of MLB.com reports. "I just never felt like I had a stable base throwing," Ober said. "It felt like my release was off almost every single throw. Sometimes I'd have 10 throws in a row where it felt great, and the next 10 are like, 'I don't know where this is going.' It was a sharp pain, and I didn't feel strong in my front leg to block."
Ober suggested at TwinsFest this past weekend that he has fully recovered from the injury this offseason. It's worth noting that even when he went on the IL and missed the month of July, the right-hander was never fully shut down, instead attacking the inflammation with medication while throwing on the side. It's difficult to buy into a complete turnaround given the depths of Ober's collapse last season, but it doesn't provide an explanation and some reason for optimism.