MLB Player News

Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom said Tuesday that the team has not made a decision as to whether Cijntje will be a switch-pitcher moving forward or focus on throwing right-handed, Brenden Schaeffer of STL Sports Central reports.

The Mariners had said prior to trading Cijntje to the Cardinals on Monday that the hurler would throw only right-handed in spring training games. Bloom noted that while he thinks the course the Mariners were going to take with Cijntje was "a good one," he wants to get to know the pitcher first before making any determinations. Cijntje collected a 3.99 ERA and 120:51 K:BB over 108.1 innings between High-A Everett and Double-A Arkansas in 2025 and will likely begin his stint in the Cardinals organization at Double-A Springfield.

The Phillies re-signed Robert (forearm) to a minor-league contract Tuesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Robert was non-tendered by the Phillies earlier in the offseason even though he is not yet eligible for salary arbitration. Ultimately, he's found his way back into the organization and will compete for a spot in the bullpen. Robert missed the final month of the 2025 season with a forearm strain, and it's unclear whether he will have any limitations at the start of camp.

Wetherholt has a clear path to the Cardinals' second-base job following the trade of Brendan Donovan, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Wetherholt had been slated to compete for the Cardinals' third-base job after they traded Nolan Arenado, but the top prospect should now focus mostly on second base. The 23-year-old will need to perform well during spring training, but the Cardinals have been signaling their intention to carry Wetherholt on their Opening Day roster. Wetherholt put together a .306/.421/.510 batting line with 17 home runs, 23 stolen bases and a 72:73 BB:K over 109 games between Double-A Springfield and Triple-A Memphis in 2025.

Ford is expected to compete with Keibert Ruiz for the starting catcher spot heading into the 2026 season, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

Ford was acquired by the Nationals from the Mariners in an offseason deal, and he's immediately been identified as one of his new club's top young prospects. The 22-year-old struggled to see time behind Cal Raleigh in Seattle, logging six at-bats in eight games in 2025, but that's set to change in Washington. Ruiz is coming off a tough season in which he didn't see the field after suffering a concussion in July, so if Ford can stay healthy, he appears likely to break camp with the big-league squad and could even overtake Ruiz for the starting job.

Ruiz (concussion) will compete with Harry Ford for the starting catcher job heading into the 2026 season, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

Camerato states that it's not clear whether Ruiz is back at 100 percent after missing significant time a season ago due to a concussion, but the team should have more information on his status once he reports to spring training. Ruiz has had a firm handle on the starting catching gig over the last four seasons with Washington, but he'll be challenged by one of the Nationals' recently acquired prospects in Ford.

Alcantara (abdomen), who figures to compete for an Opening Day roster spot during spring training, will have another minor-league option this year, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

It was previously reported that Alcantara would be out of options this year, but the Cubs now have a little more flexibility with the 23-year-old outfielder, who spent most of last season with Triple-A Iowa. Either way, Alcantara figures to compete for a reserve outfield spot in camp, and he could even push for a larger role now that Kyle Tucker is gone. Alcantara had core-muscle surgery back in October, though he's expected to be fully healthy for spring training. The youngster has plenty of upside heading into 2026 and could be a breakout candidate if the playing time is there.

The Cardinals acquired Ledbetter from the Rays on Monday as part of a three-team trade involving the Mariners, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

A second-round pick in the 2023 Draft, Ledbetter slashed .265/.337/.378 with seven home runs and 37 stolen bases over 123 contests at Double-A Montgomery in 2025. The 24-year-old has seen time in center field, but he's not as fast as his stolen base totals indicate and he fits better in a corner, which will put more pressure on him to get to all of his average raw power in games.

The Cardinals acquired Peete from the Mariners on Monday as part of a three-team trade involving the Rays, Adam Jude of The Seattle Times reports.

Peete, Jurrangelo Cijntje and Colton Ledbetter will head to St. Louis while Ben Williamson is shipped off to Tampa Bay and the headliner of the trade, Brendan Donovan, goes to Seattle. Peete was selected by the Mariners with the 30th pick of the 2023 First-Year Player Draft and spent the entire 2025 season with High-A Everett, where he slashed .213/.285/.401 with 25 steals (in 36 attempts) and 19 home runs in 530 plate appearances. Peete, a former shortstop, is now a quality defensive center fielder with power and speed, and he won't turn 21 until August.

The Cardinals acquired Cijntje from the Mariners on Monday as part of a three-team trade involving the Rays, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

St. Louis also receives Tai Peete, Colton Ledbetter and a compensatory draft pick. Brendan Donovan is going to Seattle and Ben Williamson is headed to Tampa Bay as part of the deal. A first-round pick in the 2024 Draft, Cijntje held a 3.99 ERA and 120:51 K:BB over 108.1 innings between High-A Everett and Double-A Arkansas in 2025. The Mariners said over the weekend that Cijntje -- who has been a switch pitcher -- would focus on throwing right-handed in spring training. It's unclear whether the Cardinals will also have the same plan or have Cijntje continue switch pitching.

The Rockies signed Bellozo to a minor-league contract Monday, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.

Bellozo elected free agency back in November after being removed from the Marlins' 40-man roster. The right-hander held a 4.65 ERA and 1.33 WHIP across 81.1 innings in 2025. Bellozo will likely begin the 2026 season at Triple-A Albuquerque as swingman depth.