MLB Player News

The White Sox signed Dalbec to a minor-league contract Tuesday that includes an invitation to spring training.

Dalbec showed some initial promise with the Red Sox with 33 home runs in his first 156 games across the 2020 and 2021 seasons, but his performance has deteriorated since then to the tune of a .599 OPS and 37.9 percent strikeout rate since the start of the 2022 season. The 29-year-old should have a decent shot to crack the White Sox' Opening Day roster, perhaps as a short-side platoon option.

The Astros signed Short to a minor-league contract Monday that includes an invitation to spring training, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Short accrued 88 plate appearances between the Mets, Red Sox and Atlanta in 2024, slashing just .129/.282/.171. He will provide utility depth in the minors for Houston.

Rooker (forearm) signed a five-year, $60 million contract extension with the Athletics on Monday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

It was reported earlier in the offseason that the two sides were working together on an extension, and a deal has ultimately been reached to keep the 30-year-old with the A's for the foreseeable future. Rooker put together the best season of his big-league career in 2024, hitting .293 with 39 home runs, 112 RBI and 82 runs scored over 145 games.

Festa was designated for assignment by the Rangers on Monday.

Festa has been booted from the 40-man roster to make room for the acquisition of Chris Martin. Festa has pitched in the big leagues in each of the last three seasons, though it's unclear if he'll draw much interest on waivers after posting a 5.70 ERA and 1.23 WHIP over 23.2 innings across stops with the Rangers and Mets a season ago.

Martin signed a one-year contract with Texas on Monday.

Martin will join the Rangers after turning in two solid years in Boston. He posted a 3.45 ERA and 1.13 WHIP with a 50:3 K:BB across 44.1 innings a season ago, picking up two saves along the way. Texas doesn't currently have many arms in the bullpen with closer experience, so a veteran like Martin could have a chance to nab a few saves in 2025 depending on how the rest of the offseason unfolds.

The Royals re-signed Lorenzen to a one-year, $5.5 million contract Monday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

The deal also includes a $12 million mutual option or $1.5 million buyout for 2026. Lorenzen, 33, collected a 3.31 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 97:60 K:BB over 130.1 innings between the Rangers and Royals in 2024. He'll presumably begin the 2025 season in Kansas City's rotation, which would leave Alec Marsh and Kris Bubic competing for one spot. Lorenzen had been hoping to be used at designated hitter early in the season with the goal of earning a two-way roster designation, but that appears to be out the window now.

Biggio agreed to a minor-league contract with the Royals on Sunday.

The 29-year-old spent time with three organizations in 2024 and elected free agency in November after Atlanta removed him from the 40-man roster. Biggio had a .798 OPS in his first two big-league seasons, but he's faltered to a .216/.325/.349 slash line over the past four years. He should serve as utility depth for Kansas City and isn't likely to be a significant contributor even if he makes the Opening Day roster.

The Orioles designated Pinto for assignment Friday, Danielle Allentuck of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

Baltimore claimed the 28-year-old off waivers in November to compete for the backup catcher spot, but he became expendable after the O's signed Gary Sanchez to a one-year deal in December. Pinto will forfeit his spot on the 40-man roster to make room for the newly signed Charlie Morton and once again hit the waiver wire. Pinto has slashed .231/.263/.404 with 32 RBI over 83 career games in the majors, all with the Rays.

The Orioles signed Morton to a one-year, $15 million contract Friday.

Morton finished the 2024 regular season having gone 8-10 over 30 starts for Atlanta with a 4.19 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 23.8 percent strikeout rate across 165.1 innings. Despite turning 41 last November, Morton has pitched at least 150 innings in four of the last five seasons and will join an Orioles' rotation that lost Corbin Burnes to the Diamondbacks in free agency.

Manoah (elbow) hopes to be ready to pitch for the Blue Jays in August, Mike Wilner of the Toronto Star reports.

Manoah underwent a hybrid internal brace procedure to repair the UCL in his right elbow last June. The plan calls for Manoah to throw bullpen sessions in March, face hitters in June and go out on a rehab assignment in July before rejoining the Blue Jays in August. If the righty is able to hit those markers, he could spend most of the final two months of the 2025 campaign in Toronto's rotation.