MLB Player News
-
Christian Roa SP | HOU
Astros' Christian Roa: Lands with Astros
Roa signed a minor-league contract with the Astros on Dec. 20.
Roa made his MLB debut with the Marlins in 2025, throwing three scoreless innings while striking out three batters and walking three. Most of his time was spent in Triple-A, where he posted a 2.83 ERA and 1.10 WHIP across 60.1 frames. The 26-year-old righty is likely to report to Triple-A Sugar Land to begin the 2026 campaign, though he could join the Astros' bullpen at some point if he continues to thrive in the minors.
-
Justin Dean CF | CHC
Giants' Justin Dean: Designated for assignment
The Giants designated Dean for assignment Tuesday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Dean arrived in San Francisco in November via waiver claim, but he'll now depart the 40-man roster to make room for Tyler Mahle. Dean slashed .289/.378/.431 and stole 27 bases across 347 plate appearances with the Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate in 2025, and he's likely to work as minor-league depth again in 2026.
-
Zak Kent SP | MIN
Cardinals' Zak Kent: Jettisoned from 40-man roster
The Cardinals designated Kent for assignment Tuesday.
The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Justin Bruihl, who was acquired via trade. Kent was a waiver claim by the Cardinals in December and will now go through the waivers process again. The righty reliever posted a 4.58 ERA and 16:8 K:BB over 17.2 innings for the Guardians in 2025.
-
Justin Bruihl RP | STL
Cardinals' Justin Bruihl: Dealt to St. Louis
The Cardinals acquired Bruihl from the Guardians on Tuesday in exchange for cash considerations.
Bruihl has bounced around from the Blue Jays to the Guardians and now to the Cardinals since mid-December. The left-handed reliever holds a career 4.72 ERA and 69:32 K:BB over 89.2 frames covering parts of five major-league seasons. Bruihl does not have minor-league options remaining, so he's a good bet to make the Opening Day roster if he's still with St. Louis in spring training.
-
Kutter Crawford SP | BOS
Red Sox's Kutter Crawford: Avoids arbitration with Red Sox
The Red Sox and Crawford (wrist) avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.75 million contract Tuesday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
Crawford will receive the same salary in 2026 after he missed the entire 2025 season due to a knee injury and then right wrist surgery. The hurler is expected to be ready in time for Opening Day, though it's possible he's slow-played at the beginning of spring training. Assuming health, Crawford is set to compete for a spot in Boston's rotation.
-
Justyn-Henry Malloy 3B | TB
Rays' Justyn-Henry Malloy: Traded to Tampa Bay
The Rays acquired Malloy from the Tigers on Tuesday in exchange for cash considerations.
Malloy had been designated for assignment and is now on the move to a new organization. The right-handed-hitting Malloy has slashed only .209/.311/.346 in parts of two seasons at the major-league level, but he's hit .250/.397/.423 versus left-handed pitching. Malloy will compete for an Opening Day roster spot with the Rays but does have minor-league options remaining.
-
DaShawn Keirsey CF | ATL
Braves' DaShawn Keirsey: Latches on with Atlanta
Keirsey signed a minor-league contract with Atlanta on Dec. 18.
Keirsey has found a new home with Atlanta after being non-tendered by the Twins and electing free agency in November. The outfielder appeared in 74 matchups with Minnesota during the 2025 season, struggling to a .107 average with two home runs, six RBI, 10 stolen bases on 13 attempts and 11 runs scored.
-
George Soriano RP | STL
Orioles' George Soriano: Designated for assignment
The Orioles designated Soriano for assignment Monday.
The transaction frees a spot on the 40-man roster for waiver claim Jhonkensy Noel. Soriano himself was a waiver claim of the Orioles earlier this offseason, and he'll go through the waivers process again. The 26-year-old holds a 5.95 ERA and 117:55 K:BB in 118 innings across parts of three seasons in the big leagues.
-
Jhonkensy Noel OF | BAL
Orioles' Jhonkensy Noel: Claimed off waivers by Orioles
The Orioles claimed Noel off waivers from the Guardians on Monday.
Noel will be reunited with manager Craig Albernaz, who was the bench coach in Cleveland the previous two seasons. The 24-year-old Noel has slashed only .193/.242/.401 with a 32.8 percent strikeout rate and 4.8 percent walk rate in 351 regular-season plate appearances in the majors, but he has popped 19 home runs over that time. Noel does not have minor-league options remaining.
-
Jorge Alfaro C | KC
Royals' Jorge Alfaro: Inks MiLB deal with Royals
The Royals signed Alfaro to a minor-league contract Monday, Aram Leighton of JustBaseball.com reports.
Alfaro got into 14 games with the Nationals in 2025, slashing .256/.256/.308. The 32-year-old hasn't seen significant action at the major-league level since 2022, and with Salvador Perez and Carter Jensen locked onto the big-league roster, that's unlikely to change in 2026.