MLB Player News
-
Adam Frazier 2B | LAA
Angels' Adam Frazier: Goes to Angels on NRI deal
Frazier agreed Monday with the Angels on a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to spring training, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
Frazier split his time last season between the Pirates and Royals, finishing with a .267/.319/.365 batting line and seven home runs over 134 contests. The 34-year-old has a decent chance to capture a reserve role with the Angels, providing depth at second base, third base and the corner-outfield spots.
-
Mike Trout CF | LAA
Angels' Mike Trout: Wants to return to center field
Trout said Monday that he wants to return to center field this season, Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com reports.
Trout began the 2025 season as the Halos' right fielder, but he was a full-time designated hitter from late April on after suffering a bone bruise to his surgically repaired left knee. The three-time MVP noted Monday that he's more comfortable in center field and believes it's easier on his body. Per Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register, manager Kurt Suzuki said that he's open to giving Trout some exposure to center field in the Cactus League, but the Angels plan on having the 34-year-old work at all three outfield spots this spring before deciding where to place him once the regular season gets underway. Jo Adell was the team's primary center fielder in 2025, but he rated poorly defensively and played more right field in the final two months.
-
Drew Smith RP | WAS
Nationals' Drew Smith: Catches on with Washington
Smith (elbow) agreed Monday with the Nationals on a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to big-league spring training, Michelle Margaux of SNY.tv reports.
According to Margaux, Smith's deal will be worth $1.75 million if he makes the Opening Day roster and includes up to $1.25 million in performance-related bonuses. The 32-year-old right-hander missed the entire 2025 season while on the mend from July 2024 Tommy John surgery with an internal brace, but he could be at or near full health at this point. If Smith proves during spring training that he's regained his pre-surgery velocity and command, he could quickly earn a high-leverage role in an unsettled Washington bullpen. Over parts of six big-league seasons, Smith owns a 3.48 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 15.2 K-BB% over 191 appearances, all of which came with the Mets.
-
Tyler Locklear 3B | ARI
Diamondbacks' Tyler Locklear: Aiming for mid-May return
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Sunday that Locklear (shoulder/elbow) is trending toward a return around mid-May to early June, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
Locklear will be a spectator for spring training while he continues to recover from Oct. 16 surgeries to address a torn labrum in his left shoulder and a torn ligament in his left elbow. Before suffering the two arm injuries in a Sept. 7 collision at first base with Boston's Connor Wong, Locklear slashed .175/.267/.262 with a 37.1 percent strikeout rate over 116 plate appearances with Arizona after coming over from Seattle in a trade-deadline deal. Locklear has a minor-league option remaining, so he could end up sticking around with Arizona's Triple-A affiliate in Reno once he completes his rehab process and gets activated from the injured list.
-
Adrian Del Castillo C | ARI
Diamondbacks' Adrian Del Castillo: Status in doubt for Opening Day
Del Castillo said Monday that he expects to be sidelined for around one month due to his left calf injury, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.
While Del Castillo is hopeful that he'll be able to play in at least one Cactus League game or exhibition before the beginning of the regular season, the extended time he'll miss this spring could end up costing him a spot on the Opening Day roster. Arizona is expected to head into the season with Gabriel Moreno and James McCann as its top two catchers, so Del Castillo would merely provide a third option at the position and would likely see most of his playing time at designated hitter. Because the 26-year-old still has a pair of minor-league options remaining, the Diamondbacks may prefer to option Del Castillo to Triple-A Reno, which would allow him to play on a more regular basis once he overcomes the calf issue.
-
Jack Suwinski RF | LAD
Pirates' Jack Suwinski: Cleared off 40-man roster
The Pirates designated Suwinski for assignment Monday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
Suwinski ended up being the casualty after the Pirates needed to free up a 40-man roster spot for the signing of Marcell Ozuna. After showing promise in his first two big-league seasons with 45 home runs over 250 games, Suwinski managed a weak .169/.271/.297 batting line and 29.9 percent strikeout rate over the subsequent two seasons. The 27-year-old doesn't have minor-league options remaining, but he's shown enough upside that he could draw interest via waivers.
-
Ty France 1B | SD
Padres' Ty France: Back to San Diego as NRI
The Padres signed France to a minor-league contract Monday that includes an invitation to spring training, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.
France was drafted by the Padres and reached the majors with them before being traded to the Mariners. The 31-year-old graded out well defensively at first base in 2025 but turned in a sub-.700 OPS for the second straight regular season between the Twins and Blue Jays. France will join a suddenly-crowded mix at first base and designated hitter in San Diego.
-
Jose Altuve 2B | HOU
Astros' Jose Altuve: Focusing on second base this spring
Astros manager Joe Espada said Monday that Altuve will spend most of spring training working exclusively at second base, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Altuve was the Astros' Opening Day left fielder last season and wound up splitting his time pretty evenly between left field, second base and designated hitter. This season, however, he appears slated to return to his natural second base position on an everyday basis. Zach Cole looks like the favorite to see most of the reps in left field for Houston.
-
Kevin McGonigle SS | DET
Tigers' Kevin McGonigle: Focus remains shortstop
McGonigle is getting reps across the infield in camp but wants to show that he can stick at shortstop long term, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.
McGonigle is an advanced hitter at the age of 21, as he slashed .305/.408/.583 with 19 home runs and 10 stolen bases in 88 games across three minor-league levels in 2025. His clearest path to MLB playing time in the near term appears to be shortstop, where Javier Baez and Zach McKinstry are the incumbents, as Baez and McKinstry would fit nicely in utility roles. McGonigle is getting the chance to show he can be a versatile player as well, but shortstop is the cleanest fit if he's up to the challenge defensively. The young infielder is one of the top prospects in baseball and should be firmly on the fantasy radar this season.
-
Jackson Holliday SS | BAL
Orioles' Jackson Holliday: Getting cast off Monday
Holliday will have the cast on his surgically repaired right hand removed Monday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.
Holliday underwent surgery last week to have the fractured right hamate bone removed from his hand. He's able to field grounders (but not throw) and run in Orioles camp and is aiming to take live at-bats in three weeks. Holliday will begin the season on the injured list, but the goal is for it to be a brief stint.