Ohtani indicated Saturday that he'll be ready to take on a full two-way role at the outset of the 2026 regular season, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Ohtani began last year continuing to rehab from September 2023 Tommy John surgery and didn't pitch in a major-league game until mid-June. He was managed carefully upon his return to the mound, as he finished the regular season with a modest 47 innings over 14 starts. The superstar was very effective as a hurler, though, posting a 2.87 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 62:9 K:BB during those appearances. The leash was loosened in the postseason, as Ohtani completed six frames in each of his first three playoff outings and then started Game 7 of the World Series on three days of rest. After getting through the summer and fall with no arm issues, Ohtani is now set to slot into the Dodgers' rotation from the outset of the 2026 campaign. There will likely still be some careful management of Ohtani as a pitcher -- manager Dave Roberts stated Saturday that the two-way star won't pitch for Japan in the World Baseball Classic, and he's expected to continue to be part of a six-man rotation with Los Angeles -- but Roberts also said that Ohtani will be treated as a normal pitcher on days when he takes the mound.

Fernandez signed a minor-league contract with the Diamondbacks on Friday and received an invitation to spring training.

Fernandez hasn't pitched in the big leagues since 2022, but he turned in a 4.40 ERA and 1.47 WHIP across 43 innings at Triple-A last season. The 28-year-old will likely remain a minor-league depth piece in 2026.

Bello has been the subject of recent trade talks, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

According to a December report from Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic, the Red Sox "quietly shopped" Bello -- something the organization disputed at the time -- and a league source confirmed to McCaffrey that Bello's name has surfaced in trade discussions. What's changed since December is that Boston's added several starters and has a wealth of starting options. In addition to Bello, Patrick Sandoval and Jordan Hicks are generating interest. The 26-year-old Bello is entering the third year of a six-year deal and is seen as a young, controllable mid-rotation starter another organization might covet. Apparently, Boston is more likely to trade Bello than its top prospects, Connelly Early or Payton Tolle. Bello posted a 3.35 ERA in 2025, but it could have been higher given a favorable BABIP (.268) and a lack of swing-and-miss ability (17.7 K%, 6.7 K/9).

Bleday still has a minor-league option remaining, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Bleday was signed as a free agent this offseason, and the option gives the organization flexibility when finalizing its Opening Day roster. In publishing a first attempt at a roster projection, Rosecrans included the lefty-hitting outfielder on the active roster but did not pencil him into the projected starting lineup. Bleday, who can play all three outfield spots, is best suited and most likely to see time in left field. Will Benson, another lefty batter that has an option remaining, is slotted in left field against right-handers while Spencer Steer gets the nod against lefties. The Reds are hoping Bleday returns to his 2024 form, which saw him belt 20 home runs with a .761 OPS over 159 games for the Athletics.

Hays signed a one-year, $6 million contract with the White Sox on Saturday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

After sending Luis Robert to the Mets earlier in the month, the White Sox will add some talent back to their outfield by bringing in Hays. The 30-year-old enjoyed one of his best seasons in the majors last year with the Reds, slashing .266/.315/.453 with 15 homers, 64 RBI and 60 runs scored while adding seven steals in 103 games. He's primarily played in left field over the past few seasons, but the White Sox may look to take advantage of his arm strength in right field, keeping Andrew Benintendi (Achilles) in left.

Moore signed a minor-league contract with the Phillies on Friday and was invited to spring training, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Moore finished the 2025 campaign with just a .642 OPS across 243 plate appearances, though he went 7-for-27 (.259) with two homers, six RBI, six runs scored and two steals after signing with the Rangers for the final month of the regular season. He'll now attempt to win a spot on Philadelphia's Opening Day roster, and his defensive versatility should help his chances.

Pasquantino signed a two-year, $11 million contract with the Royals on Friday to avoid arbitration, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Incentives could increase the value of Pasquantino's new deal to as much as $16 million. The 28-year-old first baseman played in all but two games for the Royals in 2025, slashing .264/.323/.475 across 682 plate appearances while tallying career-high totals in home runs (32), RBI (113) and runs scored (72). He will still have one more year of team control remaining at the end of his contract.

Quero visited Driveline Baseball last week with a goal of increasing his bat speed and improving his launch angle, Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com reports.

Quero had a healthy 46.3 percent hard-hit rate and 90.4 mph average exit velocity during his rookie season, but his bat speed ranked in the fourth percentile and his average launch angle ranked in the seventh percentile. An assessment determined Quero was lacking lower-body strength, so he was given drills to help increase his explosiveness and add more bat speed. He also had a pull-air rate of just 7.8 percent last season, and the instructors at Driveline worked with him on catching the ball in front of the plate in order to pull the ball with authority. Quero had a respectable .268/.333/.356 batting line in his rookie season and sported a 17.9 percent strikeout rate, but he swatted just five home runs. If the young switch hitter is able to boost his power while maintaining his quality eye at the dish, he could break through. Quero is set to share catching duties with Kyle Teel in 2026 and is also expected to see ample starts at designated hitter for the White Sox.

Robertson announced his retirement from professional baseball on his X account Friday.

The 40-year-old Robertson waited until the second half this past season to sign with the Phillies, and he's now decided to call it quits after 17 major-league seasons. He will retire after collecting 179 career saves, a 2.93 ERA and 31.9 percent strikeout rate. Robertson made one All-Star team and won a World Series in 2009 as a setup man with the Yankees.

Evans underwent UCL reconstruction surgery with an internal brace Jan. 23 on his right elbow.

Evans missed several weeks during the second half of last season with right elbow inflammation, so it's possible he had UCL damage for a while that was only recently discovered. He will miss the entire 2026 season, and given the timing of the procedure, could get a late start to the 2027 campaign, as well. Evans had been likely to open the upcoming season at Triple-A Tacoma, but his absence is a blow to the Mariners' pitching depth. The 24-year-old posted a 4.32 ERA and 59:31 K:BB over 81.1 innings covering 15 starts and one relief outing last season.