Player news from trusted outlets
Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Shane Baz was part of a trade that saw the Tampa Bay Rays reacquire prospect Slater de Brun, who was originally drafted by the Baltimore Orioles. This transaction implies Baz was traded from the Rays to the Orioles. The details of the trade were mentioned in a Rays community prospect list, indicating Baz is no longer with the Rays organization.
Rays pitching coach Kyle Snyder reports that Shane McClanahan (triceps) has looked "really, really good" this offseason and is being "totally built up to start" with the expectation of being in Tampa Bay's rotation. McClanahan hasn't pitched in the regular season since 2023, having undergone season-ending triceps nerve surgery last August after only two rehab starts. The former All-Star carries significant risk but also immense upside as he aims for a full return.
The Boston Red Sox declined to trade a package headlined by prospect Marcelo Mayer and a pitcher for Arizona Diamondbacks All-Star Ketel Marte. While the Red Sox were open to a deal involving Franklin Arias and another pitching prospect, Arizona specifically sought Mayer, a request Boston ultimately rejected. The decision highlights Mayer's high value within the Red Sox organization.
Recently retired star Joey Votto has signed a three-year deal to join NBC Sports as a pregame analyst for their 2026 baseball coverage. He will appear alongside Anthony Rizzo and Clayton Kershaw for the wild card round and select regular-season Sunday Night Baseball games, transitioning to a broadcasting role after his distinguished playing career.
Recently retired star Anthony Rizzo has joined NBC Sports as a pregame analyst for their 2026 baseball coverage, signing a three-year deal. He will appear alongside Joey Votto and Clayton Kershaw for the wild card round and select regular-season Sunday Night Baseball games, marking his transition to broadcasting after his playing career.
Atlanta Braves prospect Didier Fuentes, 20, is showing high potential despite a rough initial stint in the major leagues. His fastball boasts plus velocity and movement, with the ability to consistently spot it, while his slider can generate misses. Though his command needs further refinement, he is expected to improve with more experience. Fuentes, who tied for the best command in the system, has ample time to develop into a long-term asset for the Braves, even with his current two-pitch mix.
Atlanta Braves prospect Jhancarlos Lara possesses two elite pitches: a fastball averaging 98.3 mph and a dominant slider, considered the best in the system. His slider, thrown in the upper 80s with sharp two-plane tilt, generated a 51.4% whiff rate in Triple-A last season. Now a full-time bullpen arm, Lara's command needs improvement, but his two 70-grade offerings give him elite reliever potential for the Braves.
Nick Martinez has agreed to a one-year, $13 million contract with the Tampa Bay Rays, with expectations to compete for a rotation spot this spring, capable of starting or relieving. The 36-year-old right-hander pitched a career-high 165.2 innings last season with the Reds, posting a 4.45 ERA over 40 games (26 starts). Martinez, known for his variety and location, aims to rebound after his ERA climbed in 2025 despite limiting hard contact and maintaining low walk rates.
Newcomer Steven Matz is joining the Tampa Bay Rays with the goal of converting to a starting role in their 2026 rotation. He will be competing alongside established starters Drew Rasmussen and Ryan Pepiot, and former All-Star Shane McClanahan, as the Rays solidify their pitching staff for the upcoming season.
Ryan Pepiot has been confirmed as a guaranteed starter for the Tampa Bay Rays' 2026 rotation. He will join Drew Rasmussen, Steven Matz, and Shane McClanahan, forming a core part of the team's pitching staff as they head into the new season.
Drew Rasmussen is confirmed as a guaranteed starter in the Tampa Bay Rays' 2026 rotation. He joins Ryan Pepiot, newcomer Steven Matz, and the returning Shane McClanahan, forming a key part of the team's pitching staff as they prepare for the upcoming season.
Toronto Blue Jays infielder Leo Jiménez, 24, is out of options, facing a critical spring training to secure an active roster spot or risk being lost on waivers. Despite being a selective hitter with good contact and above-average defense at shortstop and second, his lack of power and injury-limited 2025 season (44 games) have clouded his future. The Jays are reportedly shopping Jiménez, who is projected for a utility role at best.
Isaac Paredes is reportedly still being shopped by the Houston Astros as spring training kicks off. This news comes amidst the latest MLB rumors, indicating potential roster changes for the Astros as they look to finalize their lineup.
Veteran slugger Marcell Ozuna signed a one-year, $12 million contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Feb 9, 2026, including a $16M mutual option or $1.5M buyout for 2027. He's expected to be the Pirates' designated hitter. Ozuna posted a .232/.355/.400 line with 21 HR in 145 games for Atlanta in 2025, a performance potentially impacted by a hip injury after a 39-homer season. This signing is part of the latest MLB news as spring training begins.
Devin Williams was involved in a trade last offseason that brought infielder Caleb Durbin to the Milwaukee Brewers. This historical context was mentioned in relation to Durbin's recent six-player trade to the Boston Red Sox, underscoring past roster movements for the Brewers.
Jarren Duran might not start against left-handed pitchers this season, as the Red Sox appear motivated to give Wilyer Abreu an everyday opportunity. This could squeeze Duran out of a full-time role. The left-handed-hitting outfielder struggled against southpaw hurlers in 2025, slashing only .211/.260/.340 over 209 regular-season plate appearances. The team's inability to trade from their glut of outfielders this offseason contributes to this potential platoon situation.
Anthony Seigler was traded from the Milwaukee Brewers to the Boston Red Sox on Monday, February 9, 2026. The Red Sox acquired Seigler, Caleb Durbin, Andruw Monasterio, and a Comp B pick from the Brewers. In exchange, the Brewers received Kyle Harrison, David Hamilton, and Shane Drohan. This multi-player transaction was reported by Jeff Passan of ESPN.com, bringing Seigler to the Red Sox organization.
Shane Drohan was traded from the Boston Red Sox to the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday, February 9, 2026. He was part of a multi-player deal where the Brewers acquired Drohan, Kyle Harrison, and David Hamilton from the Red Sox. In exchange, the Red Sox received Caleb Durbin, Andruw Monasterio, Anthony Seigler, and a Comp B pick. The trade was reported by Jeff Passan of ESPN.com, bringing Drohan to the Brewers organization.
Kyle Harrison was traded from the Boston Red Sox to the Milwaukee Brewers on February 9, 2026, marking his second trade in a year. The Brewers acquired Harrison, David Hamilton, and Shane Drohan, while the Red Sox received Caleb Durbin, Andruw Monasterio, Anthony Seigler, and a Competitive Balance Round B Draft pick. The left-hander posted a 4.04 ERA and 38:14 K:BB over 35.2 innings last season and holds a 4.39 ERA across 42 MLB outings (37 starts) since his 2023 debut. He is expected to compete for a spot in Milwaukee's rotation.
Andruw Monasterio was traded from the Milwaukee Brewers to the Boston Red Sox on Monday, February 9, 2026. The Red Sox acquired Monasterio, Caleb Durbin, Anthony Seigler, and a Comp B pick from the Brewers. In exchange, the Brewers received Kyle Harrison, David Hamilton, and Shane Drohan. The transaction was reported by Jeff Passan of ESPN.com, marking Monasterio's move to the Red Sox organization.
