MLB Player News
-
Kyle Tucker RF | LAD
Dodgers' Kyle Tucker: Likely to bat second or third
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday that Tucker is likely to bat second or third this season, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.
Roberts made the declaration during a press conference where the Dodgers officially announced the signing of Tucker to a four-year, $240 million contract. The skipper cautioned that his lineup isn't set in stone, but for the time being Roberts is leaning toward Tucker in the two or three hole. Tucker will take over in right field for the Dodgers, with Teoscar Hernandez shifting over to left field and Andy Pages patrolling center.
-
Mike Siani CF | LAD
Dodgers' Michael Siani: Cut from 40-man roster
The Dodgers designated Siani for assignment Wednesday.
With the Dodgers' signing of Kyle Tucker becoming official, a spot on the 40-man roster was needed. Siani had been a waiver claim of the Dodgers in December -- the second time this winter he's been claimed -- and he will now go through the waivers process again. The 26-year-old is a career .221/.277/.270 hitter at the big-league level, but his excellent center-field defense could be enough to pique interest from other teams.
-
Luis Garcia RP | NYM
Mets' Luis Garcia: Gets one-year pact from Mets
The Mets signed Garcia to a one-year, $1.75 million contract Wednesday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.
He'll have an opportunity to earn an additional $1.25 million in incentives. Garcia pitched for three different teams in 2025, finishing with a 3.42 ERA and 48:26 K:BB over 55.1 frames between the Dodgers, Nationals and Angels. He will turn 39 next week and will fill a middle-relief role in Queens.
-
Zack Wheeler SP | PHI
Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Slightly behind at start of camp
Wheeler (shoulder) will be behind the Phillies' other starting pitchers at the beginning of spring training, but indications are that "he will not be too far behind," Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
Wheeler had an operation in mid-August to remove a blood clot near his right shoulder and then underwent venous thoracic outlet syndrome surgery in late September. He began a throwing program in early December, however, and long-tossed from 90 feet last week as part of what was "a very heavy workload for him," manager Rob Thomson said. While the Phillies have not ruled Wheeler out for Opening Day, it seems a stint on the injured list to begin the season is a real possibility. There's no guarantee Wheeler will regain his pre-surgery form, although venous thoracic outlet syndrome is considered the less severe of the two TOS diagnoses.
-
Cody Bellinger CF | NYY
Yankees' Cody Bellinger: Back with Yankees on five-year deal
The Yankees re-signed Bellinger to a five-year, $162.5 million contract Wednesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
There are opt-outs after the second and third years of the contract, and Bellinger also received a $20 million signing bonus along with a full no-trade clause. Re-signing Bellinger has been the Yankees' biggest offseason priority, and they have finally got a deal across the finish line after months of negotiations. It's the best-case scenario for the fantasy value of Bellinger, whose swing is tailor made for Yankee Stadium. The 30-year-old slashed .272/.334/.480 with 29 home runs, 98 RBI and 13 stolen bases over 152 regular-season games in 2025, which included a .302/.365/.544 batting line and 18 long balls at home. With Bellinger sticking around as the Yankees' primary left fielder, Jasson Dominguez is now without a clear spot in the everyday lineup.
-
Andrew Painter SP | PHI
Phillies' Andrew Painter: Phillies hope he cracks rotation
The Phillies hope Painter will be part of their Opening Day rotation, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
Cristopher Sanchez, Jesus Luzardo and Aaron Nola are locked into the Opening Day rotation, but there's a good chance the Phillies will have two open spots if Zack Wheeler (shoulder) isn't quite ready. Taijuan Walker and Painter are considered the favorites to fill those last two slots. Painter didn't have great results in 2025 in his first full season back from Tommy John surgery, holding a 5.26 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 123:47 K:BB over 118 innings covering 26 starts between Single-A Clearwater and Triple-A Lehigh Valley. However, the top prospect's stuff was intact, and the fact that he was able to get to nearly 120 innings was encouraging. Painter was added to the 40-man roster this offseason, and while he will have to pitch well in spring training, he stands a good chance of heading north with the big club.
-
Luisangel Acuna 2B | CHW
White Sox's Luisangel Acuna: Will get 'runway' from White Sox
White Sox general manager Chris Getz said Wednesday that Acuna will be given "runway to show off his talent, ability and ceiling," Brooke Fletcher of the Chicago Sports Network reports.
Acuna is the key piece acquired from the Mets in a trade that sent Luis Robert to New York. Getz's words suggest the White Sox plan to play Acuna every day in 2026, though it's unclear if it will be at one or a variety of positions. Acuna is primarily an infielder, but he's played lots of center field, as well, and it's possible he could slide into that spot as Robert's replacement. While he's slashed only .248/.299/.341 so far at the big-league level, Acuna is 16-for-18 in stolen-base attempts in limited time, and it's in the speed department where he could be a fantasy asset in 2026. Acuna will turn 24 in March.
-
Vidal Brujan 2B | NYM
Twins' Vidal Brujan: Designated for assignment
The Twins designated Brujan for assignment Wednesday, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports.
Just one week after being claimed off waivers, Brujan is off the 40-man roster in favor of Tristan Gray, who was acquired via trade from the Red Sox on Wednesday. The defensively-versatile Brujan is a career .199/.267/.276 hitter across parts of five seasons.
-
Tristan Gray SS | MIN
Twins' Tristan Gray: Dealt to Minnesota
The Twins acquired Gray from the Red Sox on Wednesday in exchange for Nate Baez, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
It's the second time this offseason that Gray has been traded, as he was dealt from the Rays to the Red Sox in November. The 29-year-old has slashed .207/.264/.369 over parts of three big-league seasons and he is capable of playing all four infield spots. Gray will compete for a reserve role in Minnesota.
-
Luisangel Acuna 2B | CHW
White Sox's Luisangel Acuna: Dealt to White Sox
The Mets traded Acuna and Truman Pauley to the White Sox on Tuesday in exchange for Luis Robert, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Acuna opened 2025 as the Mets' starting second baseman but gradually saw his playing time disappear while slashing .234/.293/.274 over 193 plate appearances. Moving to the White Sox will help his chances of sticking around in the big leagues, though he'll still face some competition for playing time at the keystone from Chase Meidroth.