MLB Player News

The Padres are considering moving Morgan into their rotation next season, Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic report.

Mason Miller and Adrian Morejon are the more high-profile names being mulled for a shift from the bullpen to the rotation, but Morgan is also under consideration. A former infielder and undrafted free agent who didn't begin pitching until 2022, Morgan posted a 2.66 ERA and 50:23 K:BB over 47.1 regular-season innings for the Padres in 2025. The 26-year-old had two opener assignments for the Padres, but the last time he made a traditional start came in 2022 at Hope International, an NAIA school.

President of baseball operations David Stearns said Tuesday that Benge will have an opportunity to make the Mets' Opening Day roster during spring training, Laura Albanese of Newsday reports.

Benge began 2025 at High-A Brooklyn but made it to Triple-A Syracuse by the end of the season, slashing .282/.389/.467 with 14 homers, 69 RBI, 85 runs scored and 24 steals between three affiliates. However, his progress noticeably stalled at Syracuse, where he posted just a .583 OPS over 103 Triple-A plate appearances. Although the 22-year-old's rapid ascent through New York's farm system will give him a chance to win the center field job in Queens, the club may want to see Benge perform better at Triple-A before calling him up to the bigs.

Edman will undergo surgery on his right ankle sometime next week, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Edman has dealt with ankle trouble multiple times within the past couple of years, and he'll now elect to go under the knife in order to properly address the issue. General manager Brandon Gomes said the team expects Edman to be ready for the start of spring training, so the 30-year-old's availability for Opening Day likely won't be affected.

The Mariners signed Dobnak to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training Tuesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Dobnak became a free agent last week after the Tigers declined his option for 2026, and he's now headed to the Pacific Northwest. The 30-year-old spent nearly all of 2025 at the Triple-A level, holding a 5.84 ERA over 18 starts and eight relief appearances. Dobnak will likely begin the 2026 season in the rotation at Triple-A Tacoma.

The Royals acquired Black from the Giants on Tuesday in exchange for Logan Martin.

Black had been designated for assignment by the Giants last week and will now join the Royals' 40-man roster. The 25-year-old spent most of this season at Triple-A Sacramento, where he held a 5.81 ERA and 1.48 WHIP alongside a 114:62 K:BB over 119.1 innings. Black has been used mostly as a starting pitcher to this point in his pro career, though it's not known whether the Royals intend to keep him in that role. The righty has minor-league options remaining.

Fletcher has retired from professional baseball, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Fletcher last played in the big leagues in April 2024, having spent the 2025 campaign mostly at Triple-A Gwinnett in the Atlanta organization. The 31-year-old will retire with a career .276/.323/.358 batting line over parts of seven major-league seasons.

Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said Monday that Anthony (oblique) is asymptomatic and will have a normal offseason, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

Anthony suffered a left oblique strain in early September that sidelined him for the remainder of the regular season and playoffs. However, the rookie outfielder is heading into the offseason with a clean bill of health. Anthony slashed .292/.396/.463 with eight homers and four steals over 71 contests in his rookie campaign.

Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said Monday that Mayer's recovery from right wrist surgery had progressed to the point that he could have been available had the team made a deep postseason run, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

That suggests Mayer -- who underwent a right wrist arthroscopy in August -- should be fully recovered well ahead of spring training. As things currently stand, Mayer could open the 2026 season as the starter at either second or third base, though much will depend on what additions the Red Sox make to their roster.

Darrell-Hicks was outrighted to Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday.

Darrell-Hicks lost his spot on the 40-man roster Thursday. He'll remain in the organization after passing through waivers unclaimed.

Alfonzo agreed to a minor-league contract with the Dodgers on Monday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Alfonzo spent the majority of his 2025 campaign in the Tigers' organization, appearing in 57 games for Double-A Erie and eight for Triple-A Toledo. He slashed .247/.297/.322 with one home run, 34 RBI and 24 runs scored in 65 appearances across the two levels.