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.

Waldrep could begin the season at Triple-A Gwinnett, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Waldrep seemingly did enough last season to be locked into Atlanta's rotation, posting a 2.88 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 55:22 K:BB over 56.1 innings covering nine starts and one extended relief outing. However, several other of the team's rotation candidates cannot be optioned to the minors, while Waldrep can, so the 23-year-old could be a roster casualty as Atlanta seeks to retain depth. Bowman writes that while Waldrep might wind up being the most valuable of the current fifth-starter candidates by the end of the season, if he becomes a "lasting part" of the rotation early on, "then something disastrous will have already happened." Atlanta has Chris Sale and Spencer Strider locked into rotation spots, with Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow), Reynaldo Lopez (shoulder) and Grant Holmes (elbow) expected to fill the other slots, if healthy. Bryce Elder, Joey Wentz, Martin Perez (shoulder) and Waldrep are among the club's depth starters, and Waldrep is the only one in the group that has minor-league options remaining. Atlanta also remains in the market for additional rotation help, which could push Waldrep farther down the pecking order.

Ryan (elbow) said Saturday that he added 30 pounds over the offseason in hopes of increasing his durability, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Ryan believes his relatively slight build contributed to the Tommy John surgery that knocked him out for the entirety of the 2025 season. While rehabbing that injury, Ryan "ate a lot of calories" and "lifted like an animal," which resulted in his weight going from 195 to 225. Ryan said he's had a normal offseason, having already thrown 10 bullpen sessions and touched triple digits on the radar run. The 27-year-old is unlikely to be on the Dodgers' Opening Day roster, but he could be a key rotation depth piece. Ryan held a 1.33 ERA and 18:9 K:BB over 20.1 innings covering four starts for the Dodgers in 2024.

Betts said Saturday that he's spent the offseason "rewiring" his body after falling into bad habits during a down season offensively in 2025, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Betts' .318 wOBA last season was easily the worst of his career. The cause of his regression at the plate, Betts believes, was twofold: the preparation for becoming a full-time shortstop threw off his normal routine, and an early-season stomach virus that caused him to lose 20 pounds sapped his strength and led to bad habits. Betts said he's now "in a really good spot" as he looks to bounce back in 2026 in his age-33 campaign. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicated over the weekend that "you could certainly see" Betts batting third this season behind Shohei Ohtani and Kyle Tucker, though nothing is set in stone yet in regard to the lineup.