Young "would have to struggle mightily to lose his grip on the second-base job," Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

New acquisition Brendan Donovan's primary position has been second base, but he will enter spring training slated to see most of his action in 2026 at third base. Young put up just a .607 OPS in 257 plate appearances during his rookie season, but he is only 22 and the Mariners remain high on his long-term potential. If Young stumbles, Seattle could consider shifting Donovan over to second base and installing Colt Emerson at the hot corner.

The Mariners tentatively plan for Donovan to be their primary third baseman in 2026 but will move him around the diamond based on matchups, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Cole Young is the favorite to start at second base, though if Colt Emerson outplays him in spring training, the Mariners could go with Emerson at third base and Donovan at second. Donovan is also expected to bat leadoff against both righties and lefties. Acquired from the Cardinals in a trade earlier this week, Donovan sported a .287/.353/.422 batting line with 10 home runs and 32 doubles over 118 contests last season.

The Blue Jays signed Fleming to a minor-league contract Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com reports.

Fleming spent all of the 2025 season at Triple-A Tacoma in the Mariners organization, collecting a 4.91 ERA and 44:29 K:BB over 84.1 innings. The 29-year-old lefty has plenty of past experience as a starting pitcher but has primarily been a reliever the last three years, and that's likely how he'll be deployed in his projected destination of Triple-A Buffalo.

The Royals re-signed Maile to a minor-league contract Thursday with an invitation to spring training.

Maile got into 25 games with the Royals last season, posting a .702 OPS. Kansas City is expected to carry Carter Jensen on the Opening Day roster along with Salvador Perez, which likely leaves Maile to serve as experienced catching depth at Triple-A Omaha.

Urquidy signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Pirates on Thursday, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Urquidy spent the majority of 2025 recovering from a Tommy John procedure he underwent in June 2024. He was able to make two appearances for the Tigers before the end of the regular season, during which he allowed two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out three batters in 2.1 innings. If he doesn't capture a spot in the Pirates' rotation during spring training, he could still slot in as a long-relief option.

Pilkington elected to become a free agent Thursday.

Pilkington was booted off the Nationals' 40-man roster last week and has decided to test out free agency rather than accept an outright assignment. The southpaw collected a 4.45 ERA and 34:17 K:BB over 28.1 innings with Washington last season.

The Nationals outrighted Pilkington to Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday.

Pilkington has the ability to elect free agency rather than accepting the outright assignment, though it's unclear what his plans are. The lefty posted a 4.45 ERA and 34:17 K:BB over 28.1 innings with the Nationals last season.

The Brewers signed Hurtubise to a minor-league contract Tuesday.

Hurtubise has managed just a .167/.291/.212 batting line over parts of two seasons during his brief time at the big-league level. He can play all three outfield spots and has displayed good plate discipline in the minors with a 14.6 percent walk rate and 17.4 percent strikeout rate. It's a profile the Brewers have been able to squeeze value out of, but he's likely ticketed for Triple-A Nashville to begin the 2026 season.

Genao showed more full extension on his swings while with Aquilas in the Dominican Winter League, Keith Law of The Athletic reports.

Genao suffered a right shoulder injury during spring training last year, and the effects of the injury lingered throughout the regular season. After a boffo 2024, the 21-year-old shortstop dropped to a .259/.323/.359 slash line over 77 games at Double-A Akron. In winter ball, Genao improved to .325/.387/.386 over 26 games for Aquilas, suggesting he regained strength and confidence in the shoulder. He might eventually move to second base in the majors, but his improved defense at Akron in 2025 suggest shortstop is still a possibility. Genao's a bounce-back candidate for 2026 and expected to reach Triple-A Columbus.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora noted at Fenway Fest in January that he envisions Mayer getting more playing time against left-handers in 2026, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Mayer was allotted 27 of 136 plate appearances at the MLB level against lefties in 2025, managing a miniscule .416 OPS in the small sample size. With the departure of Alex Bregman, it's likely Mayer will take over at third base this season, and Cora wants a more full-time role for the 23-year-old infielder, who is capable of slotting in at three infield positions. Boston's recent signing of Isiah Kiner-Falefa, a Gold Glove winner at third base in 2020 while with Texas, could impact the eventual infield positioning, but he appears ticketed for a rotation at second base with several other candidates.