MLB Player News

The Pirates signed Davis to a minor-league contract Jan. 5.

Davis owns a career 9.53 ERA and 58:29 K:BB over 62.1 innings covering parts of four seasons at the big-league level. The 28-year-old has plenty of past experience as a starting pitcher, but he was used almost exclusively as a reliever in 2025, and he'll likely open 2026 in the bullpen at Triple-A Indianapolis.

The Red Sox signed Sikkema to a minor-league contract Jan. 6 that includes an invitation to spring training.

Sikkema was in the Reds organization this past season, posting a 4.57 ERA and 72:31 K:BB over 86.2 innings in 15 starts and eight relief appearances between Double-A Chattanooga and Triple-A Louisville. The 27-year-old lefty has yet to appear in the majors but will get a chance in spring training to compete for a spot on Boston's Opening Day roster.

The Phillies signed Pinto to a minor-league contract Jan. 6.

Pinto slashed .231/.263/.404 during parts of three seasons with the Rays from 2022-2024. He spent the 2025 campaign in the minors split between the Blue Jays and Diamondbacks organizations, hitting .259/.309/.498 with 12 homers in 64 games. Pinto will provide the Phillies with some experienced catching depth.

The Blue Jays released Castro on Jan. 9.

Castro had agreed to a minor-league contract with a spring training invite in November. It's possible he's now being cut loose in order to pursue another opportunity overseas, although that has not been confirmed. Castro is a career .219/.292/.380 hitter over parts of three big-league seasons.

Jimenez and the Blue Jays agreed on a minor-league contract Sunday, Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com reports.

Jimenez will stick around with the Blue Jays organization after ending the 2025 campaign with Triple-A Durham. The 29-year-old batted .278 with three home runs, 29 RBI, 14 runs scored and a stolen base over 151 at-bats in 40 contests with Durham last year. Jimenez has reportedly lost 20 pounds since the end of the 2025 campaign, and he has been playing in the Dominican winter league. Additionally, the contract he signed Sunday includes a spring training invite.

Johnson agreed to a contract with the Reds on Sunday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

The terms of the deal aren't clear, but Johnson is likely to receive less than the $7 million club option that was declined by Atlanta in November. Johnson recorded one save and 16 holds with a 3.05 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 59:19 K:BB across 65 innings for Atlanta last year.

Waldschmidt could break camp in a starting outfield role for the Diamondbacks in 2026, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen talked with reporters Saturday after the team traded outfielder Jake McCarthy to the Rockies, and he did not rule out the possibility of a prospect breaking camp with a starting role in the big leagues. Although Hazen didn't name names, he was likely referring to Waldschmidt, the club's top prospect. With Lourdes Gurriel (knee) also potentially missing the first half of the season, there could be plenty of at-bats available in the outfield. The 23-year-old Waldschmidt, who played all three outfield positions during stints at High-A Hillsboro and Double-A Amarillo in 2025, would need to be added to the 40-man roster, and he has yet to play at Triple-A.

Lawlar is expected to play center field in addition to reps in the infield during spring training, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

After seeing Lawlar's struggles at third base last season, the Diamondbacks gave him center field reps during the Dominican Winter League but not a ton, according to Gilbert. As such, the organization will give him a serious look there this spring. There's a need in the outfield after Arizona traded Jake McCarthy to Colorado for right-handed pitching prospect Josh Grosz. That move, along with Lourdes Gurriel (knee) possibly missing the first half of the season, leaves the outfield in a state of uncertainty. Corbin Carroll will hold down right field while Alek Thomas is likely to start in center field against righties. Beyond that, Lawlar is in the mix along with Blaze Alexander, Jorge Barrosa, Tim Tawa and possibly top prospect Ryan Waldschmidt.

Bregman signed a five-year, $175 million contract with the Cubs on Saturday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Bregman played his first nine major-league seasons with Houston before spending last year with Boston. Over 495 regular-season plate appearances with the Red Sox, the third baseman slashed .273/.360/.462 with 18 home runs, 62 RBI, 64 runs and a stolen base. Bregman's .822 OPS was his highest mark since 2019, and he demonstrated his usual excellent eye at the plate with a 14.1 strikeout rate and 10.5 percent walk rate. Bregman should take over as Chicago's starter at the hot corner, which calls into question what the Cubs' plan will be for youngster Matt Shaw.

Toglia signed a minor-league contract with the Reds on Saturday.

Toglia looked to be a key part of Colorado's future when he posted a .767 OPS with 25 home runs and 10 stolen bases over 457 plate appearances for the big-league club in 2024, but the 2019 first-round draft pick dropped off dramatically this past season, slashing just .190/.258/.353 with 11 long balls and three steals across 337 plate appearances. He's always demonstrated plenty of power and also went deep 11 times over 42 contests for Triple-A Albuquerque last season, but Toglia has also struggled making a contact, and he posted an awful 39.2 percent strikeout rate with the Rockies in 2025. That was a large part of the reason why Colorado designated him for assignment and subsequently non-tendered him in November. However, the Reds will give him a chance to make an impression, though Toglia will likely open the season in the minors.