Player news from trusted outlets
Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
The Atlanta Braves have added veteran infielder Kyle Farmer as a non-roster invitee to spring training. Farmer, who spent 2025 with the Colorado Rockies hitting .227 and playing various infield positions, is considered a good fit for an Opening Day roster spot with the Braves.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have lost newly-signed infielder Andy Ibáñez off waivers to the Oakland Athletics. This move occurred during a busy transactional Friday for the Dodgers, who also re-claimed catcher Ben Rortvedt and designated pitcher Anthony Banda for assignment.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have re-claimed catcher Ben Rortvedt off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds. This transaction was part of a busy day for the Dodgers, which also included designating pitcher Anthony Banda for assignment.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have designated pitcher Anthony Banda for assignment. This move comes as part of a busy transactional day for the team, which also saw them re-claim catcher Ben Rortvedt and lose infielder Andy Ibáñez to waivers.
Anthony Volpe (shoulder) will start the 2026 season on the injured list for the New York Yankees, with reports indicating he's unlikely to return until at least May. The shortstop underwent left labrum surgery last October and remains in recovery. This update serves as a reminder that Volpe will miss a significant portion of the early campaign. Jose Caballero is currently the leading candidate to start at shortstop in his absence.
Ben Rice is slated to be the Yankees' primary first baseman in 2026, but the recent re-signing of Paul Goldschmidt complicates his role. Goldschmidt is expected to frequently start at first base against left-handed pitchers. While manager Aaron Boone previously anticipated Rice playing often against lefties, he could now shift to catcher or DH in those matchups to maintain near-everyday playing time. Fantasy managers are advised not to significantly downgrade Rice's outlook, as the move may even help him gain catcher eligibility.
Paul Goldschmidt, 38, has finalized a one-year contract to return to the New York Yankees, re-signing Friday. The veteran first baseman is expected to be utilized in a platoon role with Ben Rice, primarily starting against left-handers. He posted a strong .981 OPS against southpaws in 2025 (.336/.411/.570 in 168 PAs). This move solidifies the Yankees' first base depth, despite his overall underwhelming 2025 season. Goldschmidt is nearing the end of his potentially Hall of Fame career.
The Los Angeles Dodgers designated left-handed reliever Anthony Banda for assignment on Friday. Banda had previously won two consecutive World Series rings with the team.
Left-handed pitcher Brent Suter has officially finalized a one-year contract worth $1.25 million with the Los Angeles Angels. The deal was completed on Friday, securing the veteran lefty for the upcoming season. This signing adds a key arm to the Angels' pitching staff, providing experience and depth from the left side.
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Graham Ashcraft won his salary arbitration case on Friday, February 6, 2026. This outcome improves the players' collective record to 5-0 this year in arbitration hearings. Ashcraft's successful negotiation confirms his salary terms and adds to the growing trend of players winning their arbitration cases against their respective teams.
Pitcher Edwin Uceta secured a victory in his salary arbitration case on Friday, February 6, 2026. This win contributes to the players' perfect 5-0 record in arbitration this year, marking a significant development for the Tampa Bay Rays pitcher as he successfully negotiated his salary. The decision highlights a trend of players prevailing in their salary disputes.
Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal secured a historic $32 million arbitration award for 2026, shattering previous MLB records for both arbitration-eligible players and pitchers. The 29-year-old, a back-to-back AL Cy Young winner, will see a $21.85 million raise from 2025. This unprecedented win, influenced by his two Cy Youngs and final arbitration year, places him in a unique position ahead of potential free agency where he could surpass Yoshinobu Yamamoto's $325 million benchmark. The Tigers' subsequent signing of Framber Valdez raises questions about Skubal's long-term future with the team, including potential trade scenarios.
Detroit Tigers pitcher Reese Olson's availability for Opening Day is in doubt due to a lingering right shoulder strain. Olson, who sustained the injury in July and was placed on the 60-day injured list, had hopes of returning for spring training. However, a recent update indicates he may not be healthy enough to start the 2026 season. Olson has made 35 starts for the Tigers over the past two seasons. If he remains sidelined, Troy Melton or Keider Montero could fill his spot in the rotation.
Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani is unequivocally an elite option across all fantasy baseball league formats. His exceptional dual-threat capabilities make him a top-tier asset, prompting fantasy experts to question whether managers can truly afford to overlook him, particularly in competitive salary-cap leagues. The consensus suggests that investing heavily, even 'breaking the bank,' for Ohtani is a necessary strategy to secure his unparalleled production and secure a significant advantage in any fantasy baseball draft or auction.
The New York Yankees have claimed right-handed pitcher Osvaldo Bido, 30, off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels, designating infielder Braden Shewmake for assignment to clear a roster spot. Bido, who has pitched for the Pirates and Athletics, posted a 5.87 ERA with 68 strikeouts and 35 walks in 79.2 innings across 26 appearances (10 starts) for the A's last season. This marks his fifth waiver claim this offseason, having also been picked up by the Braves, Rays, and Marlins. In 2024, he recorded a 3.41 ERA and 3.36 FIP in 63.1 innings.
Detroit Tigers All-Star Javier Báez has been ruled ineligible to play for Puerto Rico in the 2026 World Baseball Classic due to a two-year suspension for a failed marijuana drug test during the 2023 tournament. The suspension, under World Baseball Softball Confederation rules, runs from April 26, 2024, to April 26, 2026, encompassing the 2026 WBC (March 5-17). Despite MLB allowing marijuana use since 2020, WBSC prohibits it, and efforts by MLB and MLBPA to restore his eligibility were unsuccessful. Báez, 33, was not suspended by MLB and had a resurgent 2025 season, hitting .257/.282/.398 with 12 homers and 57 RBI.
Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani is confirmed for Japan's 2026 World Baseball Classic roster, marking his third appearance. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced Ohtani will serve solely as a designated hitter, a decision made by Ohtani himself, opting not to pitch in the tournament. He returned to the mound for the Dodgers in 2025 after missing 2024 due to an elbow injury. Ohtani was the 2023 WBC MVP, hitting .435/.606/.739 with 1 HR and 8 RBIs, while also going 2-0 with a 1.86 ERA and 11 strikeouts on the mound.
Cleveland Guardians pitcher Emmanuel Clase faces accusations of manipulating pitches in at least 48 games over two years to benefit bettors, a scope five times larger than initially reported. Court documents from co-defendant Luis Ortiz's attorneys detail the extensive alleged misconduct. Clase was indicted in November on wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering, and bribery charges, to which he pleaded not guilty. His trial is set for May. He remains on the restricted list, unpaid, and faces a potential lifetime ban from baseball, despite a $6.4 million contract for 2026.
Cy Young winner Paul Skenes has been selected for Team USA's roster for the upcoming World Baseball Classic. The tournament is scheduled to commence on March 5, with the championship game slated for March 17. Skenes joins a strong contingent of All-Stars and big names representing the USA in their quest for the Classic title.
Reigning AL MVP and Yankees captain Aaron Judge has been named to Team USA's roster and will serve as captain for the upcoming 2026 World Baseball Classic, marking his first appearance in the tournament. The WBC is scheduled to run from March 5-17. Judge is the sole Yankees hitter on Team USA, joined by pitcher David Bednar. Other Yankees players, including Camilo Doval, Austin Wells, Amed Rosario, Elmer Rodriguez, Fernando Cruz, and Jazz Chisholm Jr., will represent various other countries in the Classic.
