MLB Player News

The White Sox signed Maton to a minor-league contract Tuesday that includes and invitation to spring training, Aram Leighton of Just Baseball reports.

Maton, who turns 28 in February, got a cup of coffee with the Orioles in 2024 but spent the majority of the year at Triple-A Norfolk, where he put up an .834 OPS with 16 homers. He can play everywhere other than catcher and will compete for a utility role with the White Sox.

Chapman agreed to a one-year, $10.75 million contract with the Red Sox on Tuesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Control continues to be a major issue for Chapman, who issued 39 free passes over 61.2 innings with the Pirates in 2024. However, he also struck out 98 batters and, even though he will turn 37 years old in February, he still ranked in the 98th percentile in fastball velocity this past season. With Kenley Jansen expected to depart in free agency, Chapman will be a candidate to close in Boston, along with Liam Hendriks and Justin Slaten.

Higashioka signed a two-year, $13.5 million contract with Texas on Monday, which includes a $7 million mutual option for 2027.

Higashioka will add a veteran presence to the backstop position for Texas and is likely to share the workload with Jonah Heim, who struggled during the 2024 campaign. Higashioka is coming off one of his most productive seasons at the plate, swatting a career-high 17 home runs and recording 45 RBI in 84 games for the Padres.

The Blue Jays signed Stefanic to a minor-league contract Wednesday, Nate Heisler of Klutch Sports reports.

Stefanic elected free agency after being outrighted off the Angels' 40-man roster in October. The 28-year-old has slashed just .232/.317/.275 over parts of three big-league seasons and will likely begin 2025 as a utility infielder at Triple-A Buffalo.

The Tigers re-signed Vanasco to a minor-league contract Tuesday.

Vanasco was non-tendered by Detroit last week but returns to the organization on a minor-league pact. The right-hander spent most of the 2024 season at the Triple-A level, collecting a 2.45 ERA and 48:30 K:BB over 40.1 innings of work.

The Mariners are optimistic that Brash (elbow) can make his 2025 debut by the end of April, Adam Jude of the Seattle Times reports.

Brash had an internal brace procedure on his right elbow in early May, so a return in April would be aggressive. However, he's been working out at the team's spring training complex in Arizona and is considered ahead of schedule in his recovery. Brash was dynamite out of Seattle's bullpen in 2023, posting a 3.06 ERA and 107:29 K:BB across 70.2 innings. Once healthy, he will serve in a leverage relief role for the Mariners.

Seager (hip/hernia) is close to being cleared to perform all baseball activities, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.

Seager underwent sports hernia surgery in September. He's been resting and rehabbing for the last two months but is almost ready to begin his normal offseason routine. Seager is expected to head into spring training at 100 percent.

Garcia (knee) has been cleared to begin running, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.

Garcia's 2024 season ended prematurely due to a sprained left patella tendon in his knee. He did not require surgery on the knee and is now ready to go through his normal offseason routine. The expectation is that the 31-year-old will head into spring training without restrictions.

Carter (back) has been swinging a bat and is expected to be 100 percent for the start of spring training, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Carter was limited to just 45 games this season due to a nagging back problem and underwent an ablation procedure in October to remove tissue from his back. The expectation is that he'll be without restrictions once spring training rolls around. The 22-year-old posted just a .633 OPS over 162 plate appearances in 2024 but should enter 2025 with a regular role for the Rangers.

The Orioles signed Jackson to a minor-league contract Monday, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

Jackson played in 121 games with Double-A Binghamton in 2024, batting .206 with 19 home runs, 61 RBI, 49 runs scored and 11 stolen bass as a member of the Mets organization. He will now get a shot to prove himself with Baltimore ahead of the 2025 campaign.