MLB Player News

The Nationals designated Pilkington for assignment Wednesday.

The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for waiver claim Tsung-Che Cheng. Pilkington appeared in 34 games for the Nationals last season, posting a 4.45 ERA and 34:17 K:BB over 28.1 innings. The 28-year-old lefty stands a good chance of passing through waivers unclaimed, but if that happens he would have the ability to elect free agency.

The Nationals claimed Cheng off waivers from the Mets on Wednesday.

It's the fourth organization that Cheng has been in this offseason. Cheng batted only .209/.307/.271 at Triple-A Indianapolis in the Pirates organization last season and went hitless in seven plate appearances with the big club. The 24-year-old will compete for a reserve role with the Nationals but does have minor-league options remaining.

The Brewers signed McGuire to a minor-league contract Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

McGuire participated in 44 regular-season games for the Cubs in 2025, slashing .226/.245/.444 with nine home runs. The Brewers have an opening at backup catcher behind William Contreras, and there's a good chance McGuire wins that job.

The Rockies acquired Ohl and Edouard Julien from the Twins on Wednesday in exchange for Jace Kaminska and cash considerations.

Ohl had been designated for assignment by the Twins and is now on the move to a new organization. The 26-year-old posted a 5.10 ERA and 27:7 K:BB over 30 innings with the Twins and held a 2.40 ERA and 86:11 K:BB across 71.1 frames in the minors in 2025. Ohl has rotation and bullpen experience but will most likely settle into a relief role in Colorado.

The Rockies acquired Julien and Pierson Ohl from the Twins on Wednesday in exchange for Jace Kaminska and cash considerations.

Julien is out of minor-league options and has slashed only .208/.299/.324 with a 32 percent strikeout rate over the last two seasons. However, he also boasts a 13 percent walk rate and 11.8 percent barrel rate at the major-league level. The left-handed-hitting Julien has a good chance of seeing regular playing time versus right-handed pitching, whether that's at one position or bouncing around to multiple spots.

The Rockies designated Fernandez for assignment Wednesday, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.

Fernandez struggled in his first stint in the majors in 2025, slashing .225/.265/.348 with four home runs and a 29.9 percent strikeout rate over 52 games. It's still a surprise the Rockies are exposing him to waivers, given that he just turned 23 earlier this month and was considered a top-100 prospect a couple years ago. There's a chance Fernandez -- who hit .284/.347/.502 with 13 long balls in 64 contests at Triple-A Albuquerque in 2025 -- gets claimed by another team.

The Rockies acquired Rumfield from the Yankees on Wednesday in exchange for Angel Chivilli, Jack Curry of YES Network reports.

Rumfield has been a quality performer the last two seasons in the minors, finishing the 2025 campaign with a .285/.378/.447 batting line, 16 home runs and a 70:108 BB:K over 138 games with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He appeared unlikely to get much of an opportunity with the Yankees, at least not in 2026, but in Colorado, Rumfield could compete for the Opening Day first baseman job. Rumfield is not currently on the 40-man roster.

Atlanta signed Groshans to a minor-league contract Jan. 23.

Groshans' 2025 campaign was spent mostly at Double-A Northwest Arkansas in the Royals organization, where he slashed .291/.360/.368 with three home runs in 59 contests. The 26-year-old's lone big-league experience came in 2022, when he put up a .619 OPS in 17 games with the Marlins. Groshans is likely ticketed for Triple-A Gwinnett, where he'll provide utility infield depth.

Law (forearm) signed a minor-league contract with the Diamondbacks on Tuesday, Aaron Hughes of SI.com reports.

Law missed all of last season due to a forearm/elbow injury he originally suffered near the end of 2024. He underwent surgery to address the issue in July and will likely remain sidelined until midway through the 2026 campaign. The 35-year-old reliever turned in a 2.60 ERA over 90 innings with the Nationals during his most recent MLB season and could be a factor in Arizona's bullpen once he's cleared to play.

Schmitt (wrist) has begun a hitting progression after getting cleared last week, Maria Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Schmitt estimated that the grip strength in his left hand is back to 95 percent. He first got hurt all the way back on June 25 and played through the injury throughout the second half of last season, finally having surgery in December.