MLB Player News

The Padres selected Mendez's contract from Double-A San Antonio on Tuesday.

The right-hander is one of San Diego's top prospects, so his addition to the 40-man roster was to be expected ahead of the Rule 5 Draft. Mendez posted a 1.78 ERA and 11.2 K/9 over 75.2 frames in the lower minors during 2025 but surrendered 20 earned runs over six late-season starts after being promoted to Double-A.

The Tigers selected Lee's contract from Triple-A Toledo on Tuesday, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Lee was one of five players added for Rule 5 protection. While Lee is not exactly an imposing presence in the batter's box at 5-foot-9, he has displayed admirable plate skills and enough power and speed to project as a major-league prospect. The infielder spent his age-22 season at Toledo, slashing .243/.342/.406 with 14 homers and 22 steals across 579 plate appearances.

The Pirates designated Simon (shoulder) for assignment Tuesday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Simon appeared in 27 MLB games in 2025 between Miami and Pittsburgh, slashing just .234/.299/.273 across 88 plate appearances. He finished the Triple-A season with an .844 OPS over 308 plate appearances, however, which may be good enough for another team to bring him in via waiver claim.

The Pirates designated Canario for assignment Tuesday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Canario slashed .218/.274/.338 with 20 RBI and 25 runs scored across 234 plate appearances with the Pirates in 2025. He'll now end up as one of the roster casualties necessary to clear room for the six prospects Pittsburgh added to its 40-man Tuesday.

The Marlins designated Weimer for assignment Tuesday.

The 26-year-old had a .715 OPS in 27 games for Miami in 2025 but will lose his place on the 40-man roster in order to create roster space ahead of the Rule 5 Draft. Weimer could be outrighted to Triple-A Jacksonville or elect to refuse the assignment and become a free agent.

The Marlins selected Kempner's contract from Triple-A Jacksonville on Tuesday.

Kempner was acquired from the Giants last winter in exchange for international bonus pool space, and the Marlins won't leave him exposed to potentially being selected during the upcoming Rule 5 Draft. Across three minor-league levels in 2025, the 24-year-old pitched to a 2.26 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 95:40 K:BB over 67.2 innings.

The Pirates designated Holderman for assignment Tuesday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

With the Pirates adding six prospects to their 40-man roster in preparation for the Rule 5 Draft, Holderman will end up as one of the casualties necessary to clear space. The 30-year-old righty wasn't quite his usual self in 2025, finishing the year with a 7.01 ERA and 1.95 WHIP across 25.2 innings after entering the season with a 3.58 ERA across his three years in the big leagues. His prior performance may draw some attention from other bullpen-needy teams browsing the waiver wire.

The Marlins selected Mack's contract from Triple-A Jacksonville on Tuedsay.

Mack is one of Miami's top prospects, so it's no surprise the organization is protecting him from the Rule 5 Draft. The 22-year-old spent most of last season at Triple-A Jacksonville and had a .786 OPS with 18 homers and seven steals in 98 games.

Ellard retired from professional baseball Tuesday.

The 28-year-old Ellard will hang up his cleats after just two seasons in the majors, during which he posted a 3.95 ERA and 1.39 WHIP alongside a 48:31 K:BB across 41 innings with the White Sox.

The White Sox selected McDougal's contract from Double-A Birmingham on Tuesday.

McDougal turned in a 3.26 ERA and 1.33 WHIP to go with a 136:49 K:BB over 113.1 innings between High-A and Double-A in 2025. Considered one of the top pitching prospects in the White Sox's farm system, the 22-year-old will officially receive a spot on the 40-man roster to prevent another team from selecting him in the Rule 5 Draft, and he has a strong chance to make his MLB debut in 2026 and join a talent-deficient White Sox rotation.