Player news from trusted outlets
Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
The Mets are encouraged by A.J. Minter's early bullpen sessions as he rehabs from a lat injury. While expected to miss the first month, his effortless delivery signals a positive return for the bullpen.
The Miami Marlins secured a victory against pitcher Calvin Faucher in the year's final salary arbitration hearing. This outcome brings the players' overall advantage in arbitration cases to 8-4 for the season. The ruling concludes the arbitration process for the Marlins and their players for the current year, with Faucher's specific salary details not publicly disclosed.
Brendon Little is adding a slider and tweaking his fastball to improve his effectiveness. He's also adjusting his warm-up routine after realizing he overexerted himself last season, aiming to maintain high-leverage performance for the Blue Jays.
Reliever Paul Sewald has officially agreed to a one-year deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks, as announced by the team on Saturday. This agreement secures the right-handed pitcher's return to the D-backs, bolstering their bullpen for the upcoming season. The terms of the deal were finalized, confirming Sewald's commitment to the club for another year.
Zac Gallen has finalized a one-year, $22.025 million contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks, returning to the team after declining a qualifying offer. The 30-year-old right-hander was unable to find a long-term deal this offseason. He is coming off a career-worst 2025 season, posting a 4.83 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, and allowing 31 homers. Despite the performance dip, he has maintained health, making at least 31 starts in three of the last four years.
Luis Rengifo has officially signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Milwaukee Brewers. The 29-year-old infielder is now the favorite to start at third base for Milwaukee, offering versatility in a super utility role. He is coming off a disappointing walk year with the Angels (.238/.287/.335, 9 HR, 10 SB) but previously posted a .273/.323/.431 slash line over three seasons.
Shohei Ohtani commenced spring training with a 27-pitch mound session at the Los Angeles Dodgers' complex Friday morning. This marks the start of his anticipated return to a full-time two-way role. Ohtani's primary focus is on 'being healthy' and he is reportedly eyeing a shot at the Cy Young award this season.
Braves LHP Chris Sale declared he will "never" use MLB's new Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) Challenge System, stating it's the umpire's job to call pitches and he doesn't want to waste challenges. The ABS system, implemented for the 2026 season, allows players to challenge calls. Sale, a nine-time All-Star, won the 2024 NL Cy Young with the Braves, leading the NL in ERA (2.38), strikeouts (225), and wins (18). In 2025, he posted a 2.58 ERA and 165 strikeouts despite a rib injury.
Dodgers reliever Alex Vesia returned to spring training Friday, less than four months after the tragic death of his infant daughter, Sterling, which led him to miss the World Series. Speaking publicly for the first time, Vesia expressed profound gratitude for support from the Dodgers, Blue Jays, and fans worldwide. He shared that he and his wife began therapy six weeks ago and encouraged others to seek help. Vesia found the gym therapeutic and is embracing being back with the team, finding "mental clarity" and camaraderie. He had a 2.67 ERA over five seasons with the club.
Yankees ace Gerrit Cole, nearing the end of his Tommy John surgery rehab, confirmed he may pitch in Grapefruit League games before spring training concludes. He showcased a classic windup and efficient command in a recent bullpen session, with manager Aaron Boone noting he looked like his old self. Cole expressed optimism about his "really good" and "different" feeling replacement ligament. His return is still targeted for late May or June, following the 14-18 month recovery schedule.
Music superstar Bad Bunny offered to pay Carlos Correa's World Baseball Classic insurance to enable him to play for Puerto Rico. The Astros infielder confirmed the proposal, but ultimately stated he had to decline the offer. This update clarifies Correa's decision regarding the unique opportunity to participate in the tournament.
RHP Shelby Miller has signed a two-year, $2.5 million contract with the Cubs. Miller will complete his Tommy John and flexor surgery rehabilitation in 2026, with plans to join the Cubs' bullpen in 2027. The right-hander, who was excellent in 2025 with a 2.74 ERA and 10 saves across 46 innings between the Diamondbacks and Brewers before his injury, will be 36 at that point. The deal was confirmed by sources to ESPN.
Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase has been accused by federal authorities of participating in a rigged pitch scheme during a playoff game. The former All-Star remains on the restricted list by Major League Baseball due to his confirmed ties to illegal gambling. This ongoing situation has prevented him from active play, as per MLB's restrictions.
Justin Verlander, who turns 43 next week, discussed his return to the Detroit Tigers on Thursday, stating he always felt a reunion was possible. He agreed to a $13 million, one-year deal with Detroit earlier this week, having last pitched for them in 2017. Verlander noted that the Tigers' recent loss of Reese Olson to shoulder surgery opened the door for his return, as initial talks didn't seem to have much room for him. He won two World Series with the Astros after leaving Detroit and was the AL MVP in 2011 with the Tigers.
The Phillies released Nick Castellanos on Thursday, owing him $20 million for his final contract year. Manager Rob Thomson expressed pride that Castellanos admitted to bringing a beer into the dugout last June after being pulled from a game, a rule break Castellanos detailed in a handwritten letter. While Thomson benched him for an "inappropriate comment" the next day, President Dave Dombrowski cited Castellanos' declining production (.250 AVG, 17 HR, 72 RBIs; .133 AVG in Division Series) and poor defense (-12 OAA) as primary factors for the release. The Phillies have already signed Adolis Garcia as a replacement.
Cubs star Pete Crow-Armstrong is focused on achieving greater consistency and improvement as he enters the 2026 season with high expectations. This comes after an All-Star season last year where his performance significantly declined in the second half. He is looking to maintain a high level of play throughout the upcoming year.
Marlins manager Clayton McCullough confirmed Friday that Chris Paddack will join Miami's starting rotation for the upcoming season, as reported by Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald. Paddack, who signed with the Marlins earlier this week, is guaranteed a rotation spot despite a 5.35 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and 112:37 K:BB over a career-high 158 innings with the Tigers and Twins last year. This marks his first time exceeding 110 frames since 2019, though he hasn't matched his 3.33 ERA from his debut campaign.
Veteran first baseman Nathaniel Lowe, 30, signed a minor-league deal with the Cincinnati Reds on Friday, including a Spring Training invitation. He is set to arrive Saturday for a physical. Lowe batted .228 with 18 HR and 84 RBIs in 153 games last season with the Nationals and Red Sox. He struggled with Washington but improved with Boston, hitting .280 with a .790 OPS in 34 games. The left-handed hitter provides depth at first base for the Reds, complementing Sal Stewart, Spencer Steer, and Eugenio Suárez. Lowe previously won a Silver Slugger in 2022 and a Gold Glove in 2023.
Astros closer Josh Hader, a six-time All-Star left-hander, played catch again Friday. This follows an offseason period where he dealt with biceps tendinitis, which arose while he was throwing bullpen sessions. His return to throwing is a positive step as he progresses from the injury.
Atlanta president Alex Anthopoulos is hopeful Ha-Seong Kim (finger) will be ready for his season debut in early May, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. Kim underwent surgery in January to repair a torn tendon in his right middle finger. The initial timeline had him returning by mid- to late-May, but the veteran infielder now appears to be ahead of schedule. Mauricio Dubon is expected to fill in as the primary shortstop while Kim recovers.
