MLB Player News

Tromp is the leading candidate to back up Sean Murphy behind the plate for Atlanta to begin the season, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

The 29-year-old has never gotten more than 64 big-league plate appearances in a season and has just a .232/.237/.397 slash line for his career, but Atlanta is comfortable with his defense and game-calling. Tromp's main competition for a spot on the Opening Day roster will likely come from top prospect Drake Baldwin, although veteran backstops Curt Casali and Sandy Leon will also be in camp for Atlanta.

Hernandez could take over the high-leverage role left open by the absence of Joe Jimenez (knee) in the Atlanta bullpen, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Hernandez posted a 2.50 ERA and dazzling 26:10 K:BB over 18 innings in the majors last season, collecting three wins and a hold in 16 appearances. Jimenez, who recorded a career-high 27 holds in 2024 while serving as one of the top set-up men for closer Raisel Iglesias, is expected to miss most or all of the season while recovering from October knee surgery. Pierce Johnson will handle some of those late-inning assignments, but Hernandez could be an under-the-radar holds source in 2025.

Baty is likely to be a reserve for the Mets or go back to the minors following the re-signing of Pete Alonso, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Baty was going to compete for the third base job -- and might have been the favorite -- if Alonso moved on and Mark Vientos shifted to first base, but now there's not room for him in the starting lineup. The Mets have indicated previously that Baty could serve in a utility role, getting some reps at third and second base as well as the outfield. However, he might be best off going to Triple-A Syracuse, where he can play every day.

Vientos is slated to remain at third base for the Mets following their re-signing of Pete Alonso, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Vientos was set to shift to first base when it looked like Alonso was headed elsewhere, but he'll now get to stick at the hot corner. The 25-year-old appears set to bat cleanup behind Francisco Lindor, Juan Soto and Alonso, setting him up for plenty of RBI opportunities.

The Pirates signed Pham to a one-year, $4 million contract Thursday, Katie Woo and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic report.

It's a good landing spot for Pham, who could get regular reps in right field, assuming the plan is for Andrew McCutchen to be a full-time designated hitter. Pham, who turns 37 in March, slashed .248/.305/.368 with nine home runs and seven stolen bases over 116 regular-season contests between the White Sox, Cardinals and Royals last season.

Alonso agreed to terms on a two-year, $54 million contract with the Mets on Wednesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Alonso previously rejected a three-year deal worth roughly $70 million, but the 30-year-old slugger will end up remaining in New York for the foreseeable future as the Mets' everyday first baseman. His new deal will pay him $30 million in 2025 and includes an opt-out after the first season, which could allow him to enter free agency once again next winter.

De Los Santos cleared waivers Wednesday and was sent outright to Triple-A Syracuse, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

De Los Santos, 26, slashed .260/.375/.441 with 16 RBI across 152 plate appearances with Toronto's Triple-A affiliate last season. His minor-league success failed to translate into the majors, however, as he went 5-for-29 at the plate in 13 games with the Blue Jays.

Covey cleared waivers Wednesday and was sent outright to Triple-A Syracuse, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Covey was DFA'd on Thursday to make room on the roster for Ryne Stanek, but the former will remain in the Mets organization after passing through waivers unclaimed. He posted a 1.20 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in 15 innings with Philadelphia's Triple-A affiliate last season, and he could find his way back to the big leagues if he performs similarly at Syracuse.

With the Cubs trading for Ryan Brasier on Wednesday, per Jeff Passan of ESPN.com, and adding Caleb Thielbar, Eli Morgan and Ryan Pressly earlier in the offseason, Miller may see less high-leverage work in 2025.

Porter Hodge was closing games for the Cubs at the end of last season, but Miller was seeing important setup work ahead of him. The veteran Pressly now figures to get the first shot at the closer role, which would presumably push Hodge into eighth-inning work. Brasier, Morgan and Thielbar are also all experienced relievers with successful track records, giving manager Craig Counsell some options to choose from toward the end of games. Miller was effective for the Cubs in 2024, posting a 2.15 ERA across 50.1 innings of relief, so he figures to still have a key role even with the added competition, though he may get knocked down a few rungs in the bullpen.

Tinoco will compete with Calvin Faucher for the Marlins' closer job this spring, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports.

Faucher took over the job last August and proceeded to convert six straight save chances before blowing one against the Nationals on Sept. 4 and subsequently landing on the IL with a shoulder impingement that ended his season. In his absence, Tinoco got a look in the ninth inning and performed fairly well, going 3-for-4 in his September save chances with a 2.61 ERA, 0.68 WHIP and 8:1 K:BB over 10.1 innings. Faucher will likely get the first chance to secure the role, but if he stumbles early, Tinoco figures to be the next man up once again. Southpaw Andrew Nardi (elbow) could also be in the saves mix if he shows that he's healthy and can regain his 2023 form.