MLB Player News
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Wade Meckler CF | LAA
Giants' Wade Meckler: Designated for assignment
The Giants designated Meckler for assignment Friday, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
With Adrian Houser's signing becoming official Friday, Meckler will end up as the roster casualty necessary to make room on San Francisco's 40-man roster. The 25-year-old outfielder slashed .287/.390/.370 across 401 plate appearances at Triple-A Sacramento this past season, but he hasn't appeared in an MLB game since 2023. His ability to play across the outfield and at second base will help his chances of being claimed by another club. However, his chances of contributing in the majors are slim.
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Marco Luciano SS | NYY
Pirates' Marco Luciano: DFA'd by Bucs
The Pirates designated Luciano for assignment Friday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.
Just two weeks after being claimed from San Francisco, Luciano will once again enter the waiver process following Pittsburgh's acquisitions of Brandon Lowe, Jake Mangum and Mason Montgomery on Friday. The 24-year-old Luciano -- once considered a top prospect in baseball -- could still be an attractive waiver target for other clubs despite his career .590 OPS in the big leagues.
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Tsung-Che Cheng SS | BOS
Pirates' Tsung-Che Cheng: Pushed off 40-man
The Pirates designated Cheng for assignment Friday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.
The Pirates needed to clear some roster space after bringing in three players via a three-team trade with Houston and Tampa Bay on Friday, and Cheng will end up as one of the casualties. The 24-year-old infielder made his MLB debut near the beginning of last season, going 0-for-7 with three strikeouts before being sent back to the minors. He didn't fare well at the plate in Triple-A either, slashing .209/.310/.271 with 36 RBI, 37 runs scored and 18 steals across 398 plate appearances at Indianapolis.
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Ian Hamilton RP | ATL
Braves' Ian Hamilton: Signs with Atlanta
Hamilton signed a one-year, non-guaranteed contract with Atlanta on Friday.
Hamilton finished 2025 with a 4.28 ERA and 1.25 WHIP across 40 regular-season innings -- the worst numbers of his three-year tenure in the Bronx. The 30-year-old righty will now attempt to land a spot in Atlanta's bullpen, but even if he makes the big-league club, he won't be likely to receive many high-leverage opportunities with Raisel Iglesias, Robert Suarez, Dylan Lee and Joe Jimenez (knee) already on the roster.
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Ildemaro Vargas 3B | ARI
Diamondbacks' Ildemaro Vargas: Back with D-backs on minors deal
Vargas signed a minor-league contract with the Diamondbacks on Friday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
Vargas spent most of his time at Triple-A Reno this past season but still managed to appear in 38 games for the D-backs, during which he slashed .270/.292/.383 with 19 RBI and 12 runs scored. He'll officially return to the organization to begin the 2026 campaign, although he's expected to remain an organizational depth piece.
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Brandon Waddell RP | NYM
Mets' Brandon Waddell: Outrighted to Triple-A
The Mets outrighted Waddell to Triple-A Syracuse on Friday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
New York designated Waddell for assignment earlier this week, and he'll remain in the organization after clearing waivers. Waddell posted a 3.45 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 22:11 K:BB across 31.1 major-league innings last season.
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Bryce Jarvis RP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Bryce Jarvis: Outrighted to Triple-A
Arizona outrighted Jarvis to Triple-A Reno on Friday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
Jarvis was booted from the 40-man roster and designated for assignment last Friday but cleared waivers and will remain with the Diamondbacks' organization. The 27-year-old right-hander appeared in 12 games at the big-league level with Arizona last season and carded a 5.73 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 21:10 K:BB across 22 innings.
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Anthony Molina SP | ATL
Braves' Anthony Molina: Sent to Triple-A
Atlanta outrighted Molina to Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday.
Molina was claimed off waivers from the Rockies earlier this month. The 23-year-old right-hander sports an ugly 6.96 ERA, 1.61 WHIP and 65:28 K:BB across 94.1 innings spanning 52 appearances (two starts) over the previous two seasons with Colorado.
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Mason Montgomery SP | PIT
Pirates' Mason Montgomery: Lands with Pirates in trade
The Pirates acquired Montgomery from the Rays on Friday in a three-team trade, Chandler Rome and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic report.
Montgomery logged a 5.67 ERA and walked 27 over 46 innings with the Rays in 2025, but he also struck out 63 batters and, at 98.7 mph, has one of the hardest average four-seamer velocities in the game. The lefty has past starting experience, but the Pirates are likely to keep Montgomery in the bullpen, and he could work his way into high-leverage appearances.
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Jake Mangum CF | PIT
Pirates' Jake Mangum: Sent packing to Pittsburgh
The Pirates acquired Mangum from the Rays on Friday in a three-team trade, Chandler Rome and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic report.
Mangum had a successful rookie season in 2025 with the Rays, slashing .296/.330/.368 with three home runs and 27 stolen bases. He'll turn 30 in March but is under team control through 2030. Mangum could be the favorite to open the 2026 season as the Pirates' starting left fielder, and he's capable of handling all three outfield spots.