MLB Player News

The Pirates placed Jones (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Wednesday, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Jones sat out all of the 2025 season after undergoing UCL repair surgery in May and will now officially miss the first couple months of the 2026 campaign as well. The 24-year-old righty threw an encouraging mound session Wednesday to begin spring camp, so the Pirates' decision to place him on the 60-day IL this early in the spring likely reflects a desire to proceed slowly with building him back up. Assuming Jones' rehab continues smoothly, he could rejoin Pittsburgh's rotation sometime in late May or early June. In the meantime, he'll give up his place on the 40-man roster to the newly signed Jose Urquidy, who could also take Jones' spot in the rotation.

With Daniel Palencia being named Chicago's closer to start the regular season, per Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com, Maton will likely handle a setup role in the early going.

Maton has generally served as a setup option throughout his MLB career, as his high-water mark for saves is five, which he posted last year. The veteran also recorded a 2.79 ERA and 81 strikeouts across 61.1 innings in 2025, so if Palencia falters in the closer role, Maton certainly seems more than capable of stepping in. For now, his fantasy value will be capped, though he should have strong appeal in leagues that count holds.

McCarthy is expected to compete with Mickey Moniak to start in right field to begin the 2026 season, Kyle Newman of the Denver Post reports.

The Rockies acquired McCarthy this offseason but have a versatile roster, so he could face significant competition for the starting role in right field. Moniak may be the primary designated hitter against right-handed pitching, so there could be room for both to start, but Willi Castro, Troy Johnston and Tyler Freeman also figure to factor in at a corner outfield spot. Most importantly, McCarthy will need to bounce back as a hitter to maintain a regular role after posting only a .592 OPS across 222 plate appearances with the Diamondbacks in 2025.

The Phillies requested Castellanos not to report to spring training this week as the club ramps up efforts to trade him, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Philadelphia has been looking to trade the 33-year-old outfielder all offseason, but his $20 million salary for 2026 -- which is the final year of his contract -- plus his poor defense and .694 OPS during the regular season last year have made that difficult. According to Gelb, the Phillies could release Castellanos if a trade is unable to be reached by the end of the week. Adolis Garcia is poised to take over in right field for Philadelphia after signing a one-year, $10 million contract in December.

The Nationals placed Herz (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Wednesday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

The move clears a spot on Washington's 40-man roster for Miles Mikolas, who signed a one-year deal with the club Wednesday. It's unclear how close Herz is to beginning a throwing program after undergoing Tommy John surgery last April, but he's likely to be sidelined for at least most of the season's first half.

Hentges (shoulder/knee) threw a bullpen session Tuesday, per MLB.com.

Hentges missed the entire 2025 campaign after undergoing left shoulder surgery in September 2024. He also had arthroscopic right knee surgery last August before signing a one-year deal with San Francisco in November. The left-hander is expected to be ready during spring training and will look to return to form following his lengthy absence. Over 25 relief appearances for Cleveland in 2024, he posted a 3.04 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 27:5 K:BB across 23.2 innings.

Schmitt (wrist) will continue his hitting progression for one more week and is then expected to be cleared for all baseball activities, per MLB.com.

Schmitt underwent surgery in early December to remove the carpal boss in his left wrist but is expected to be ready before Opening Day. The 26-year-old infielder slashed .237/.305/.401 with 12 home runs, 40 RBI and 34 runs scored across 348 plate appearances in 95 games last season. He's expected to play a utility role in 2026 after the Giants signed Luis Arraez during the offseason.

The Nationals signed Mikolas to a one-year contract Wednesday, Mark Zuckerman of Nats Journal reports.

Mikolas held a 4.84 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 100:37 K:BB across 156.1 innings covering 31 starts for the Cardinals in 2025. The veteran right-hander has a pedestrian 4.51 ERA over the last four seasons, but he's made 30-plus starts every year during that stretch, so the 37-year-old gives an unproven Nationals rotation some experience and durability.

Brewers manager Pat Murphy said Wednesday that Woodruff (lat) "is in a good spot" physically and has resumed throwing bullpen sessions, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Woodruff appears to have steered clear of any setbacks in his recovery from a moderate-grade right lat strain that surfaced late in the regular season and kept him out for the Brewers' playoff run last fall, but Murphy implied that the veteran right-hander will be slow played during spring training nonetheless. Murphy cited Woodruff's injury history as a reason for exercising some caution in his ramp-up program; the 33-year-old missed the entire 2024 season after undergoing capsule repair surgery on his shoulder, and he endured multiple setbacks during the rehab process last season before finally making his 2025 debut in July. Despite showing diminished velocity upon his return, Woodruff was excellent for Milwaukee before succumbing to the lat strain, posting a 3.20 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 83:14 K:BB in 64.2 innings. Assuming he's ready to go for the start of the season, Woodruff should be the favorite to receive the Brewers' Opening Day starting nod after Milwaukee traded staff ace Freddy Peralta away to the Mets in January.

King agreed Wednesday with the Marlins on a one-year, $1.5 million deal, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Non-tendered by the Cardinals in late November, King sat on the open market for months waiting on a fully guaranteed major-league deal until the Marlins finally stepped up to the table. In Miami, King likely projects to fill a middle-relief role in front of presumptive closer Pete Fairbanks. Over 51 appearances out of the St. Louis bullpen in 2025, the 31-year-old King submitted a 4.66 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 28:14 K:BB in 48.1 innings.