MLB Player News
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Steven Okert RP | MIN
Astros' Steven Okert: Signs minors deal with Houston
Okert signed a minor-league contract with the Astros on Nov. 5.
Okert appeared in 44 games for the Twins in 2024, putting up a 5.09 ERA and 1.50 WHIP across 35.1 innings -- his worst statistical season since 2017. The 33-year-old southpaw will have an opportunity to bounce back with the Astros organization, though he will likely need to redeem himself at Triple-A Sugar Land before getting a chance to pitch for Houston.
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Guillermo Zuniga RP | LAA
Angels' Guillermo Zuniga: Departs 40-man roster
The Angels designated Zuniga for assignment Tuesday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Travis d'Arnaud, who was signed to a two-year deal Tuesday. Zuniga, 26, posted a 5.09 ERA and 12:8 K:BB over 17.2 innings this season while notching a pair of saves.
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Travis d'Arnaud C | LAA
Angels' Travis d'Arnaud: Gets two-year deal from Angels
The Angels signed d'Arnaud to a two-year, $12 million contract Tuesday.
Atlanta declined d'Arnaud's $8 million club option for 2025 last week, but the veteran catcher quickly found a multi-year pact with a new organization. It's not an ideal landing spot for fantasy since d'Arnaud will be second on the catching depth chart behind Logan O'Hoppe, but he could still play enough to be a viable option in deeper formats. D'Arnaud, who turns 36 in February, slashed .238/.302/.436 with 15 home runs over 99 regular-season games in 2024.
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Wander Franco SS | TB
Rays' Wander Franco: Facing firearm charge
Franco (personal) is facing charges of illegal use and possession of a firearm related to his arrest in an altercation in the Dominican Republic on Sunday, Juan Recio of ESPN.com reports.
Franco is expected to be granted provisional release Tuesday, although terms of his bail have not yet been defined. The 23-year-old is on MLB administrative leave and is due to stand trial on Dec. 12 in the Dominican Republic involving charges of sexual abuse, sexual exploitation against a minor and human trafficking. A concurrent investigation of Franco is being performed by MLB under its domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy.
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Tanner Houck SP | BOS
Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Open to contract extension
Houck is "always open" to discussing a contract extension with the Red Sox, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.
Houck is eligible for salary arbitration for the first time this offseason and is under team control through 2027, so it's not clear how much of a priority he is for the team to lock up on a long-term deal. The 28-year-old is coming off a terrific 2024 campaign, having collected a 3.12 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 154:48 K:BB over 178.2 frames covering 30 starts.
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Jared Johnson SP | ATL
Athletics' Jared Johnson: Traded to A's
The Athletics acquired Johnson from Atlanta on Monday in exchange for Nick Allen.
Johnson spent the entire 2024 regular season with High-A Rome. Across 38 outings he registered a 2.60 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, eight saves and a 61:27 K:BB across 52 innings. The 23-year-old right-hander will look to work his way up through the Athletics' organization.
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Anthony Rendon 3B | LAA
Angels' Anthony Rendon: Won't be handed starting job
Angels general manager Perry Minasian said Monday on Foul Territory TV that Rendon will have to "show us he can still play and earn the right to play every day" next season.
When healthy, Rendon was employed as an everyday player in 2024, ultimately playing just 56 games while making three different trips to the injured list. However, he slashed only .218/.307/.267 with no home runs and it does not sound like a starting job will be handed to him heading into the 2025 campaign. As things stand right now, Rendon would appear tentatively penciled in as the Angels' starting third baseman. He has two years remaining on his seven-year, $245 million contract.
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Wander Franco SS | TB
Rays' Wander Franco: Arrested following altercation
Franco (personal) was arrested in the Dominican Republic on Monday following an altercation Sunday during which guns were drawn, Juan Recio of ESPN.com reports.
Franco is being held for questioning and it's not yet clear whether he faces charges as a result of the incident. The 23-year-old is on MLB administrative leave and is due to stand trial on Dec. 12 in the Dominican Republic involving charges of sexual abuse, sexual exploitation against a minor and human trafficking. If convicted, Franco faces up to 20 years in prison. MLB is also performing a concurrent investigation of Franco under its domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy.
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Jasson Dominguez CF | NYY
Yankees' Jasson Dominguez: Boone sees big role in 2025
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Monday that he expects Dominguez to be a "big part" of the team in 2025, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.
Much to the chagrin of many Yankees fans, Boone largely stuck with Alex Verdugo as his primary left fielder over Dominguez during the regular season and postseason. However, Verdugo is now a free agent and seems unlikely to return, clearing a spot in the everyday lineup for Dominguez. What position the 21-year-old plays could depend on whether the Yankees' re-sign Juan Soto, but Dominguez is likely to be an everyday player either way. He has a .747 OPS with six homers and six steals over 100 career plate appearances in the majors and boasts ample fantasy upside.
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Carlos Correa SS | MIN
Twins' Carlos Correa: Making progress in recovery
Correa's recovery from plantar fasciitis in his right foot is progressing ahead of his recovery from the same problem in his left foot last offseason, Twins president of baseball operations Derek Falvey told The Athletic. "He's tracking in a positive direction. He's got good plans for how he's going to handle it therapeutically and I think he's in a good place," said Falvey.
Correa was sidelined with plantar fasciitis in his right foot from just before the All-Star break until Sept. 14. He was able to play 11 games in September in which he showed little rust despite no minor-league rehab games, hitting .325 with a .960 OPS. He was clearly not moving at full speed, but the rest and rehab in the offseason should have him ready for spring training. After he struggled with plantar fasciitis in his left foot during the 2023 season that limited him at at the plate, the health of his feet will be something to watch in spring training.