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MLB News

Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.

Monday, January 26

Harrison Bader Signs 2-Year, $20.5M Deal with Giants for Center Field

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Harrison Bader has officially signed a two-year, $20.5 million contract with the San Francisco Giants, with incentives potentially reaching $21 million. He is expected to take over as the starting center fielder, shifting Jung Hoo Lee to right field. Bader, a Gold Glove winner, is coming off a career-best 2025 season where he slashed .277/.347/.449 with 17 home runs and 11 stolen bases across 146 games with the Twins and Phillies. He was particularly effective after his trade to the Phillies. Bader expressed that the Giants are a "perfect fit" due to the opportunity, talented roster, and new coaching staff, including manager Tony Vitello, whom he believes will be successful.

Framber Valdez Free Agent Market Slows Amid Past Controversy, 'Prove-It' Deal Possible

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Framber Valdez, the 32-year-old left-handed starter, remains the top unsigned free agent, with his market reportedly affected by a controversial incident last season involving his catcher. Despite a 3.36 career ERA over eight years with Houston and ample postseason experience, his contract is now expected to be below initial projections. A shorter-term, 'prove-it' deal with opt-outs is a strong possibility, as teams like the Orioles, Mets, Giants, and Tigers could still use a frontline arm.

Cardinals' Brendan Donovan Emerges as Valuable Trade Asset Amid Rebuild

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Brendan Donovan, 29, is a key trade asset for the St. Louis Cardinals as their rebuild progresses. The versatile utilityman, under contract until after the 2027 season with a $5.8 million deal for 2026, offers an attractive option for contenders. Unlike other departed veterans, Donovan's value is high, with Seattle and the Giants reportedly showing interest in upgrading their infields. His contract and age make him a more valuable commodity than previously traded high-priced vets.

Braves Re-Claim LHP José Suarez Off Waivers from Orioles

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The Atlanta Braves have re-claimed left-handed pitcher José Suarez off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles, just weeks after the Orioles had claimed him from the Braves. Suarez's brief stint with Baltimore ended when he was designated for assignment. The Braves likely initially hoped he would clear waivers to be assigned to their minor league system, a path only possible now via another DFA as he is out of options. In 2025, Suarez made seven MLB appearances for the Braves, posting a 1.86 ERA across 19.1 innings, alongside solid Triple-A numbers.

Mariners' Miles Mastrobuoni Set for Backup Role After Improved 2025 Season

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Miles Mastrobuoni is expected to return as a backup infielder for the Seattle Mariners in 2026, following an improved 2025 season where he batted .250/.324/.296 with one home run in 76 games. Known for his occasional appearances as a position player pitcher, Mastrobuoni notably pitched a scoreless inning for the Mariners in June 2025, lowering his career ERA to 27.00. This contrasts with a challenging 2023 outing for the Cubs where he allowed four hits, including a home run, in an eighth-inning appearance, resulting in a 108.00 Cubs ERA.

Orioles' Samuel Basallo Ranks #8 on Keith Law's Top 100 Prospects List

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Baltimore Orioles prospect Samuel Basallo has been ranked #8 on Keith Law's top 100 prospects list for 2026, solidifying his position as a top-ten prospect across all major lists this year. Hailed as "easily the best catching prospect in the minors," Basallo reached the majors just four days after his 21st birthday. He exhibits significant power to all fields, with a 116 mph peak exit velocity and a 21% Barrel rate, a metric only surpassed by two MLB MVPs in 2025. While praised for his arm strength, he needs to refine swing decisions and further develop his full-time catching skills.

Nationals' Abimelec Ortiz Poised for Immediate MLB Impact at 1B/DH

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Abimelec Ortiz, acquired by the Washington Nationals in the MacKenzie Gore trade, is considered the most MLB-ready prospect from the deal and has a chance to make an immediate impact at first base or DH in 2026. The 23-year-old slugger demonstrated significant power in the minors, hitting 33 home runs in 2023 and 25 in 2025, including a .953 OPS in Triple-A. His batted ball data shows a nearly 55% hard-hit rate and a knack for pulling fly balls. While he struggles against left-handed pitching, he mashes right-handers, projecting as a strong-side platoon player.

MacKenzie Gore Trade Yielded Abimelec Ortiz for Nationals

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MacKenzie Gore was the central figure in a trade that brought slugger Abimelec Ortiz and other prospects to the Washington Nationals. While most players acquired in the deal are years away from the big leagues, Ortiz is considered the most MLB-ready, with a chance to make an immediate impact for the Nationals in 2026.

Roki Sasaki Not Selected for Team Japan's World Baseball Classic Roster

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Roki Sasaki, a right-hander for the Los Angeles Dodgers (as per source article), was not selected for Team Japan's World Baseball Classic roster. Sasaki, who was part of Team Japan in the 2023 WBC and started two games, including a semifinal win, is returning to the starting rotation after missing most of last season due to a shoulder injury.

Justin Steele Begins Mound Work Post-UCL Surgery, Targeting Late April Return

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Chicago Cubs pitcher Justin Steele (elbow) threw off a mound on January 16, marking his first time since undergoing UCL revision surgery on April 18. This is a significant step in his recovery, as he had been limited to flat-ground throwing since October. The 30-year-old lefty is expected to gradually increase bullpen intensity but isn't projected to face hitters until late spring training. Steele will likely start the 2026 season on the injured list, with a potential return in late April or May if he avoids setbacks, possibly bypassing the 60-day IL.

Sunday, January 25

Giants' Robbie Ray reflects on 2025 All-Star season, eyes 2026 improvements

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Robbie Ray, 34, completed his first full season since 2022 with the Giants in 2025, posting a 3.65 ERA, 1.212 WHIP, and 2.2 fWAR over 32 starts and 182.1 innings. He was an All-Star with a 2.65 ERA pre-break but saw his performance decline in the second half due to fatigue, with his ERA nearly doubling. Ray, who underwent Tommy John surgery in 2023, stayed healthy for the season. With one year left on his contract, the Giants are counting on him to reclaim his top rotation spot, emphasizing the need to reassert his fastball and improve his slider usage.

McCutchen airs grievances with Pirates after fan-fest snub

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Andrew McCutchen, currently unsigned for 2026, expressed unhappiness on social media after the Pirates did not invite him to their annual preseason fan fest, citing other stars who attended team functions while unsigned. Pirates GM Ben Cherington gave vague answers, stating the team's focus is on winning more games. McCutchen batted .239 with 13 HR, 57 RBI, and a .700 OPS in 135 games (120 DH) for the Pirates last season, and the team is reportedly open to re-signing him.

Mitch Bratt mentioned as youngest D-backs 40-man roster player

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Mitch Bratt was noted in a discussion about the Arizona Diamondbacks' 40-man roster. He is mentioned as being slightly older than Jose Fernandez, who turned 22 in September, indicating Bratt is also a young player within the organization. No further specific news or updates were provided regarding his current status or performance.

D-backs' Jose Fernandez, 22, a 2026 roster dark horse after Double-A season

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Jose Fernandez, the youngest player on the Diamondbacks' 40-man roster at 22, was added in November to prevent a Rule 5 draft selection. He spent 2025 in Double-A Amarillo, where he switched to shortstop, making 22 errors in 104 games. Despite a .272 average with 17 HR and a .775 OPS, his offensive numbers were inflated by Amarillo's hitter-friendly park. Fangraphs ranks him as the team's #42 prospect, projecting him as a potential utility player. He's expected to start 2026 in Double-A, with no immediate MLB expectations.

Jung Hoo Lee gives Giants tour of South Korea, strengthens team bonds

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Jung Hoo Lee, 27, recently gave a large group of San Francisco Giants players, coaches, and executives a tour of his home country, South Korea. He expressed that his favorite part was sharing Korean barbecue with his teammates and coaches. Lee noted the growing support for the Giants brand in South Korea, highlighting the organization's investment in his home country and his role in expanding the team's audience.

MacKenzie Gore part of trade bringing Alejandro Rosario to Nationals

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MacKenzie Gore was involved in a trade that brought RHP Alejandro Rosario and four other players to the Washington Nationals. The article primarily focuses on Rosario's potential and injury status, with Gore being the player traded *from* the Nationals in the deal. No specific details about Gore's current status or future outlook were provided in the context of this transaction.

Cody Bellinger officially re-signs with Yankees on five-year deal

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Cody Bellinger has officially re-signed with the New York Yankees on a five-year deal, ending offseason speculation. The popular outfielder confirmed his return by changing his Instagram profile picture back to a Yankees uniform, a move celebrated by his family on social media. This agreement marks a significant move for the Yankees, securing a key player for the Bronx.

Aaron Judge honored with second consecutive AL MVP award at NYC gala

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Aaron Judge was honored with his second consecutive AL MVP award at the 101st New York Baseball Writers’ Gala. This marks his third career AL MVP title with the Yankees, placing him alongside Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, and Joe DiMaggio. Judge, 33, attended the event with his wife, Samantha, who was praised by Anthony Rizzo for her supportive role. The couple welcomed their daughter, Nora Rose, in January 2025. In 2025, Judge hit 53 home runs and earned his first batting title with a .331 average.

Fans believe Justin Verlander's best years are behind him

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Justin Verlander, a future Hall of Famer, is a potential free agent target for the San Diego Padres, though fans believe his best years are behind him. At 42, with significant wear-and-tear, he had a statistically good season with the San Francisco Giants last year, but his win/loss record was underwhelming. Fans suggest the Padres should pursue better options if they are to invest in a free agent pitcher.

Nick Martinez's return to Padres deemed 'highly unlikely' by fans

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Nick Martinez is considered a potential free agent target for the San Diego Padres, but his return is deemed "highly unlikely" by fans. While he is well-known and liked in the Padres clubhouse from his previous stint, the team's general manager typically avoids re-signing players who have left for other cities.