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MLB News

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

Thursday, January 22

Shane Bieber dealing with 'arm fatigue,' may miss start of 2026 season

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Blue Jays pitcher Shane Bieber, 31, is reportedly dealing with 'arm fatigue' and may not be ready for the start of the 2026 season. Acquired at the 2025 trade deadline after recovering from Tommy John surgery in 2024, Bieber posted a 3.57 ERA in seven regular-season starts (40.1 IP) and a 3.86 ERA in the playoffs. He exercised his player option for 2026. A Cy Young winner with 883.1 career innings and 18.5 bWAR, his health in his 30s is now a significant question mark.

Alex Bregman Departs for Chicago

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Infielder Alex Bregman has reportedly left his previous team and is heading to Chicago. This move is noted in the context of the Red Sox signing Ranger Suárez in free agency, indicating a significant roster change for Bregman as he transitions to a new club.

Red Sox Sign Ranger Suárez in Free Agency

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The Boston Red Sox have signed pitcher Ranger Suárez in free agency. This move comes after Alex Bregman reportedly left for Chicago, indicating the Red Sox's focus on strengthening their pitching staff. Suárez is expected to bolster Boston's rotation as they define their team identity for the upcoming season.

Twins reunite with LHP Taylor Rogers on one-year, $2 million deal

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The Minnesota Twins have agreed to a one-year, $2 million contract with left-handed reliever Taylor Rogers, pending a physical. Rogers, 34, returns to the Twins where he spent his first six MLB seasons, earning an All-Star nod in 2021 and accumulating 83 career saves. In 2025, splitting time between the Reds, Pirates, and Cubs, he posted a 3.38 ERA with 53 strikeouts in 50 2/3 innings. His signature sweeper remains an effective pitch, though his sinker struggled. He is expected to be deployed as a lefty specialist.

Mariners' Troy Taylor struggles with command, faces uncertain future after injury-plagued 2025

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Mariners pitcher Troy Taylor, 23, struggled significantly in 2025 after an offseason lat injury derailed his spring training. Following a promising 2024 MLB debut (25 K in 19.1 IP), Taylor posted a career-high walk rate in Triple-A and struggled with command and effectiveness of his fastball and sweeper during multiple MLB call-ups. Despite his raw stuff, his performance issues led to him being sent back to Tacoma, raising questions about his ability to secure a consistent major league role.

Orioles claim infielder/outfielder Weston Wilson off waivers

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The Baltimore Orioles have claimed infielder/outfielder Weston Wilson, 31, off waivers from the Philadelphia Phillies. Wilson was designated for assignment to create a 40-man roster spot for J.T. Realmuto. In parts of three MLB seasons with the Phillies, Wilson slashed .242/.328/.428 in 100 games, notably hitting for the cycle in 2024. However, he struggled in 2025, batting .198 in 52 games, and his role became redundant with the emergence of Otto Kemp.

Giants' Jung Hoo Lee Briefly Detained by CBP for Travel Document Issue

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San Francisco Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee faced a temporary detention by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the airport. The reason for the brief hold-up was his oversight in forgetting necessary travel documents. However, the situation was quickly resolved; Lee was permitted to proceed with his travels as soon as his paperwork was correctly arranged and verified. This incident resulted in a minor delay but was ultimately cleared without any lasting complications.

Michael Helman's 2025 surge for Rangers deemed unsustainable, projects as depth

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Outfielder Michael Helman, 30, was an unexpected contributor for the Texas Rangers in 2025, slashing .294/.345/.627 with dazzling defense from late August to mid-September, including a grand slam and a game-tying homer. However, his underlying metrics, including a sub-.300 OBP, low exit velocity, and hard-hit rate, suggest his power surge (5 HR in 110 PA) is unsustainable. Acquired via waivers, Helman finished the season with a .232/.290/.455 line and 1.0 bWAR. He is now projected as 40-man roster depth, valued for his speed and center field defense, but likely a waiver wire candidate.

Juan Soto projected for huge 2026 season with Mets

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ZiPS projections are highly optimistic for Juan Soto's 2026 season with the New York Mets, forecasting a slash line of .271/.408/.524, a 163 OPS+, 37 home runs, 103 RBI, and 109 runs scored. These projections indicate a potentially massive offensive campaign for Soto, positioning him as a cornerstone of the Mets' lineup.

Wednesday, January 21

Bo Bichette Introduced as Mets' New Third Baseman on $126M Deal

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Bo Bichette was formally introduced by the New York Mets at Citi Field on January 22, 2026, confirming his plan to play third base. He signed a three-year, $126 million contract with opt-outs after the first two seasons and will wear No. 19. Bichette emphasized that "winning" was his top priority in choosing the Mets, praising the organization's commitment. His transition from shortstop to third base is supported by Mets President David Stearns, strengthening the Mets' lineup and infield defense.

Mets Land All-Star Ace Freddy Peralta in Blockbuster Trade with Brewers

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All-Star RHP Freddy Peralta, 29, was acquired by the New York Mets from the Milwaukee Brewers on January 22, 2026, in a blockbuster trade. The Mets sent prospects Jett Williams and Brandon Sproat to Milwaukee, also receiving Tobias Myers. Peralta is expected to anchor the Mets' rotation after a career-best 2025 season with a 2.70 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 204 K in 176.2 innings, leading the NL in wins (17) and finishing fifth in Cy Young voting. He is signed through 2026 for $8M.

Cody Bellinger Re-Signs with Yankees on 5-Year, $162.5M Deal

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Cody Bellinger has re-signed with the New York Yankees on a five-year, $162.5 million contract, including opt-outs after the second and third years, a $20 million signing bonus, and a full no-trade clause. This deal, a top offseason priority, guarantees him $85 million in the first two years. Bellinger had a strong 2025 season, slashing .272/.334/.480 with 29 HR, 98 RBI, and 13 SB in 152 games, posting 5.1 WAR. His left-handed swing proved ideal for Yankee Stadium, where he hit 18 homers.

Giants' Jung Hoo Lee Briefly Detained at LAX, Quickly Cleared

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Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee was briefly detained at LAX on Wednesday due to a paperwork issue, which was swiftly clarified by the team and his agent. Lee, 26, was quickly cleared to travel and proceed as planned. The incident, confirmed by GM Zack Minasian as non-political, involved misplaced travel documentation. Lee, who posted career highs in 2025 (.266 AVG, 8 HR, 55 RBI), is scheduled for a Giants fan event Saturday and will play for Korea in the WBC in March.

Cubs Ponder Free Agent Chris Bassitt for Pitching Depth, Rotation Spot

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Chris Bassitt, a free agent right-hander, is being considered by the Cubs for pitching depth. He recently completed a three-year, $63 million deal with the Blue Jays, consistently making over 30 starts and pitching over 170 innings annually with a WAR above 2.0 since 2019. Bassitt, heading into his age 37 season, shows declining fastball velocity (91.4 mph last season) and struggles more against left-handers. He's a ground ball pitcher with bullpen experience. A one-year, $17 million deal is proposed for the veteran.

Mets Acquire RHP Tobias Myers in Brewers Trade, Bolstering Pitching Depth

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Right-handed pitcher Tobias Myers, 27, was traded to the New York Mets on January 22, 2026, from the Milwaukee Brewers, as part of the blockbuster deal that also brought Freddy Peralta to New York. The Mets sent prospects Jett Williams and Brandon Sproat to Milwaukee. Mets President David Stearns expressed excitement, highlighting Myers' versatility to pitch from both the rotation and bullpen. He posted a 3.15 ERA in 49 games over the past two seasons, including a 3.00 ERA in 25 starts in 2024.

Brandon Sproat Traded to Brewers in Peralta Deal, Bolsters Prospect Pool

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RHP Brandon Sproat was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers on January 22, 2026, from the New York Mets, alongside Jett Williams, in exchange for Freddy Peralta and Tobias Myers. Sproat, 25, was ranked as the Mets' No. 5 prospect by MLB Pipeline. He made his MLB debut in 2025 with four starts, allowing 11 runs in 20.2 innings. His fastball reaches triple digits, complemented by a slider, curveball, and changeup. He is expected to compete for a starting spot in Spring Training for the Brewers.

Kyle Tucker Signs $240M Dodgers Deal, Shifts to RF, Targets Three-Peat

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Kyle Tucker officially signed a four-year, $240 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, including a $64 million signing bonus, after declining a Cubs qualifying offer. The elite free agent will play right field, moving Teoscar Hernández to left, and is expected to bat second or third, wearing No. 23. Tucker expressed his desire to help the Dodgers achieve a championship three-peat. The deal includes opt-outs after 2027 and 2028, and $30M in deferred salary, reducing his AAV to a new MLB record $57.19M.

White Sox Acquire Versatile Luisangel Acuña from Mets in Robert Jr. Trade

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Luisangel Acuña was traded to the Chicago White Sox from the New York Mets, alongside RHP Truman Pauley, in exchange for Luis Robert Jr. This move significantly bolsters Chicago's prospect pool, with Acuña under club control through 2031. The versatile infielder/outfielder, who turns 24 on March 12, was ranked as the Mets' No. 3 prospect in 2024. He debuted in MLB on Sept. 14, 2024, hitting .308 with 3 HR in 14 games, and slashed .234/.293/.274 over 95 MLB games in 2025.

Mets Acquire All-Star Luis Robert Jr. from White Sox for Acuña, Pauley

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The New York Mets have acquired All-Star outfielder Luis Robert Jr. from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for infielder Luisangel Acuña and pitcher Truman Pauley. The Mets secured Robert Jr. for two years of control, betting on his elite defense, speed, and offensive power despite a history of injuries and inconsistency since 2023. White Sox GM Chris Getz confirmed the trade, noting Robert Jr. is coming off two disappointing seasons but offers tantalizing upside. He is set to become a free agent after the current season, bolstering the Mets' outfield defense.

Jose Quintana Named Captain for Colombia's World Baseball Classic Team

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Veteran left-hander Jose Quintana, Colombia's all-time winningest MLB pitcher with 113 career wins, has been named captain for the national team in the upcoming World Baseball Classic in March. Quintana, currently a free agent, is coming off a successful 2025 campaign with the Milwaukee Brewers, where he posted an 11-7 record with a 3.96 ERA over 131 2/3 innings. This marks his return to the national team since the 2017 tournament, having missed the 2023 event due to a rib injury. Colombia is set to begin pool play against Puerto Rico on March 6 in San Juan.