Player news from trusted outlets
Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Kyle Tucker's contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers is being cited as a potential catalyst for escalating labor tensions between MLB players and owners. The offseason's financial landscape has fueled anger among fans, players, and owners alike, raising questions about its implications for baseball's impending labor negotiations. His deal is seen as a significant factor contributing to the ongoing strife.
Pablo López, who dealt with a lat strain in June and a forearm strain in September last season, is expected to be healthy for the start of the 2026 season. He avoided surgery for these issues. Despite reduced strikeout numbers, López posted a 2.74 ERA and 1.11 WHIP over 75.2 innings in 2025. He is projected to pitch at least 150 solid innings this year for the Minnesota Twins, with potential for increased swing-and-miss upside.
Zack Wheeler, diagnosed with venous thoracic outlet syndrome and a shoulder blood clot last August, underwent surgery in September with an initial 8-month recovery timeline. He has begun throwing from 75 feet, and the Philadelphia Phillies indicate he could be available 'near the start of the season,' a window spanning Opening Day to late May. Wheeler recently spoke publicly, confirming he is progressing well. However, his return from TOS surgery is notoriously challenging, leading to caution regarding his fantasy value.
Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Orion Kerkering is experiencing a hamstring strain, which will cause him to be behind other pitchers in spring training. This injury will delay his ramp-up for the upcoming season, impacting his readiness compared to his teammates.
Veteran right-hander Chris Bassitt, 37, has finalized a one-year, $18.5 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles, including $500k in incentives. Bassitt, who turns 37 next Sunday, spent the last three seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays, where he was a reliable workhorse, posting a 3.89 ERA and pitching over 170 innings each season. In 2025, he recorded an 11-9 record with a 3.96 ERA and 1.33 WHIP over 170.1 innings, making 31 starts. He also contributed to the Blue Jays' World Series run with a 1.04 ERA in 8.2 playoff relief innings. Bassitt will add a steady, experienced arm to an Orioles rotation that finished with a 4.65 ERA last year.
The San Diego Padres are actively pursuing free agent first baseman Ty France to fill a void left by departures. France, a 2025 AL Gold Glove winner who split time between the Twins and Blue Jays last season, is considered an elite defensive first baseman with a strong clubhouse presence. Despite a career-low seven home runs in 2025, he hit .257/.320/.360 and is viewed as a potential full-time starter. The Padres are reportedly one of three teams competing for his services, with a low-risk, cost-effective deal ($3-5M) expected.
The Washington Nationals have signed 37-year-old right-hander Miles Mikolas to a one-year, $2.25 million contract. The durable veteran, who spent 10 seasons with the Padres, Rangers, and Cardinals, made 31 starts in 2025 for St. Louis, posting an 8-11 record with a 4.84 ERA. He is one of only four MLB pitchers with 31+ starts in each of the last four seasons, ranking tied for second with 130 starts since 2022. Known as a control-first innings eater, Mikolas's career MLB record stands at 72-75 with a 4.24 ERA, adding experience to the Nationals' rotation.
Colorado Rockies infielder Kris Bryant has been placed on the 60-day injured list as spring training begins, due to persistent back issues that have limited him to just 48 games over the past two seasons. This move will sideline him for at least the first two months of the 2026 season. Reports from Troy Renck indicate that while Bryant is "officially not gone," the Rockies are "finally, mercifully moving on" from the veteran, suggesting the team is looking to rebuild and apply new principles for player development and versatility.
Guardians All-Star reliever Emmanuel Clase is at the center of an alleged pitch-rigging scheme, with federal prosecutors unsealing a 23-page indictment. Clase is accused of rigging pitches since May 2023 by throwing balls to aid prop bets, with teammate Luis Ortiz allegedly joining in June 2025. Ortiz's lawyers are seeking to sever their cases, claiming Ortiz was "a victim of Clase’s scheme." Both pitchers allegedly received kickbacks from bettors who netted $460,000. Clase and Ortiz face multiple conspiracy charges and remain on leave from MLB, barred from Guardians spring training.
Former Yankee and current Red Sox player Isiah Kiner-Falefa disparaged his old team, claiming the Blue Jays preferred playing the Yankees over the Red Sox in the 2025 ALDS. Yankees manager Aaron Boone responded, calling the comments "a little surprising" but dismissed them. Kiner-Falefa, who played for the Yankees (2022-23) and Blue Jays (2025) before joining Boston, made the revelation on his first day as a Red Sox player. He also addressed fan backlash over his forceout in Game 7 of the World Series.
Mets right-hander Kodai Senga is determined to prove he can pitch like an ace and stay healthy after two "frustrating and tough mentally" seasons. Despite a 3.02 ERA in 2025, his season ended with a Triple-A assignment after a hamstring strain, following only one start in 2024 due to various ailments. Senga, who had a 2.98 ERA in 29 starts in 2023, has seen Freddy Peralta and Nolan McLean move ahead in the rotation. The Mets entertained trade proposals for Senga, who has $30 million remaining on his contract, but he communicated his desire to remain with the team.
Paul Goldschmidt has agreed to a one-year, $4 million deal to return to the New York Yankees, where he expects to serve in a reserve role behind first baseman Ben Rice. Despite fan concerns about the Yankees "running it back" with a similar roster, Goldschmidt, 38, emphasized that the organization's expectation is "championship or bust" every year. He expressed happiness to be back, stating, "I was hoping my time wasn’t done." Goldschmidt, who won an MVP in 2022, is prepared for whatever role the team needs him in.
Astros closer Josh Hader has been diagnosed with left bicep inflammation/tendinitis, having been shut down since early February. He resumed a throwing program Wednesday but remains uncertain for Opening Day, being a few weeks behind schedule. This new issue follows a left shoulder strain that sidelined him for the final seven-plus weeks of last season. If Hader requires time on the injured list, Bryan Abreu is expected to step in as the team's closer, highlighting ongoing injury risk for Hader.
The Pirates placed right-hander Jared Jones (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Wednesday. Jones, who sat out all of 2025 recovering from UCL repair surgery, will officially miss the first few months of the 2026 campaign. Despite throwing an encouraging mound session Wednesday to begin spring camp, the move reflects a cautious approach. The 24-year-old could rejoin Pittsburgh's rotation in late May or early June, with Jose Urquidy taking his 40-man roster spot in the interim.
The Philadelphia Phillies have instructed outfielder Nick Castellanos, 33, not to report to spring training as the club intensifies efforts to trade or release him. With $20 million remaining on his contract for 2026, Castellanos's poor defense and a .694 OPS last season have complicated matters. The Phillies, who signed Adolis García this offseason, reportedly have no locker for Castellanos and expect a resolution within two days. The two-time All-Star posted career-lows in 2025 with a .250 average and .294 OBP, along with a -1.0 WAR, and has had documented issues with manager Rob Thomson.
Yankees ace Gerrit Cole (elbow) is nearing his return, with manager Aaron Boone stating he could pitch in Grapefruit League games by mid- to late-March. Cole, 35, missed the entire 2025 season after Tommy John surgery last March 11 but has been throwing since August and has completed "a number" of bullpen sessions. He is expected to progress to live batting practice in the coming weeks. Despite positive rehab, the Yankees anticipate him rejoining their rotation in late May or early June, with ZiPS projecting a 3.91 ERA over 115 innings.
San Francisco Giants prospect Bryce Eldridge, 21, will be getting work in left field during spring training, with his outfield glove being mailed to him. Eldridge, who began his pro career with time in right field and also pitched, is being tried around the diamond as the Giants look to develop the young athlete. Despite struggling at first base in the minors and being rushed to the majors, manager Tony Vitello emphasized the need for Eldridge to mature as a complete player. If he proves capable in left field and his bat plays, he could potentially make the Opening Day roster.
Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. is fully on board with the team's decision to "run it back" with a similar roster for 2026, stating, "I don't see a problem with running it back with four MVPs on your team." Chisholm, who avoided arbitration with a one-year, $10.2 million contract, is coming off a career-high 30-30 season in 2025, slashing .242/.332/.481 with 31 home runs and 31 stolen bases in 130 games, earning Silver Slugger honors. He has set ambitious personal goals for 2026: "Go out there, win MVP, and go win a World Series."
Phillies ace Zack Wheeler, 35, revealed he kept the partial rib removed during his September thoracic outlet decompression surgery, storing it in his closet. Nearly five months post-op for the blood clot and TOS procedures, Wheeler is encouraged by his progress, having thrown this past weekend with manager Rob Thomson reporting it "went very good." While not expected for Opening Day, he could debut in the first two months of 2026. Wheeler maintained a 2.91 ERA over six seasons with the Phillies, including a 2.71 ERA in 2025 before his season ended due to injury. He has stated he will retire after his current contract.
Los Angeles Dodgers ace and 2025 World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto was spotted showcasing a powerful golf swing in Arizona ahead of spring training. Video of the right-hander's compact, explosive, and balanced swing, which eerily mirrors his pitching delivery, has surfaced, drawing praise from fans. Last October, Yamamoto dominated the World Series, going 3-0 with a 1.02 ERA across 17.2 innings, including a complete game and 2.2 scoreless relief innings in Game 7 to secure the title and MVP trophy.
