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MLB News

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

Tuesday, January 20

Bryce Miller, Mariners Agree to $2.45M Deal, Avoid Arbitration

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Seattle Mariners right-hander Bryce Miller and the club have avoided salary arbitration, agreeing to a one-year contract that includes a club option and guarantees $2,452,500. This agreement makes Miller one of seven Mariners arbitration-eligible players to finalize terms for the 2026 season. The 27-year-old made 18 starts in 2025, posting a 4-6 record with a 5.68 ERA, and had two stints on the Injured List due to right elbow inflammation. However, Miller excelled in the Postseason, going 1-1 with a 2.51 ERA. He also had an outstanding 2024 season, finishing 12-8 with a 2.94 ERA and 171 strikeouts.

Josh Sborz Returns to Rangers on Minor League Deal After Shoulder Surgery

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Josh Sborz has signed a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers, including an invitation to major league spring training. The 2023 playoff hero, who closed out Game 5 of the World Series, spent all of 2025 on the injured list after shoulder surgery. Sborz made 12 rehab appearances late last season but was shut down due to a lack of velocity, with the Rangers hoping for his healthy return and that his velocity will come back to boost their bullpen for 2026.

Rangers Officially Sign Jakob Junis to One-Year, $4M Deal

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The Texas Rangers have officially signed relief pitcher Jakob Junis to a one-year, $4 million contract, with Dom Hamel designated for assignment to clear a 40-man roster spot. Junis, a right-hander known for his quality slider, pitched exclusively out of the bullpen for the Guardians in 2025, where he recorded a 2.97 ERA, 3.45 FIP, and 4.04 xERA. He previously started his career as a starter with the Royals before transitioning to a relief role.

Nationals DFA Former Top Prospect Andry Lara to Make Roster Space

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The Washington Nationals have designated former top prospect Andry Lara for assignment to make room for Mickey Gasper. Lara, a prized 2019 international free agent, struggled significantly in 2025, posting a 7.55 ERA in the minors and an 8.79 ERA in nine MLB appearances. Despite being just 23 and still ranked by Pipeline, the Nationals opted to remove him from the 40-man roster, citing his inability to fully develop and limited upside. He is likely to clear waivers and return to the Nats organization.

Nats Claim Utility Man Mickey Gasper Off Waivers, DFA Andry Lara

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The Washington Nationals have claimed utility man Mickey Gasper off waivers from the Minnesota Twins, designating Andry Lara for assignment to clear a roster spot. Gasper, 30, offers significant positional versatility, capable of playing catcher, DH, first, second, and left field. While he has struggled in limited MLB action (.133 average), he has consistently posted OPS numbers above .900 in Triple-A over the last two seasons, making him an intriguing depth option with two option years remaining for the Nationals.

Austin Martin Included in 2021 Trade to Twins for José Berríos

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Austin Martin was a prominent piece in the 2021 trade that sent José Berríos to the Toronto Blue Jays, with Martin being acquired by the Minnesota Twins. As a former top prospect, his move to the Twins organization was a significant part of the deal, aimed at bolstering their future talent pool. Martin's development has been a key focus for the Twins since the trade, as they continue to integrate him into their system and project his impact at the major league level.

Simeon Woods Richardson Traded to Twins in 2021 Berríos Deal

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Simeon Woods Richardson was a key prospect included in the 2021 trade that sent José Berríos to the Toronto Blue Jays, with Richardson heading to the Minnesota Twins. This transaction saw the Blue Jays acquire a veteran arm for their rotation, while the Twins gained a promising young talent for their farm system. Richardson's development since the trade has been closely watched as he progresses through the Twins' organization.

José Berríos Faces Uncertain Role with Blue Jays Despite Large Contract

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José Berríos, under a 7-year, $131 million deal with an opt-out after 2026, is facing an uncertain role with the Blue Jays. After being 'not happy' about missing the playoff roster, his 2025 season saw a 4.17 ERA in 166 innings. With a crowded 2026 rotation featuring Shane Bieber, Dylan Cease, and Kevin Gausman, Berríos is likely the odd man out and difficult to trade without salary retention. Steamer projects him for 47 games, 19 starts, and a 4.37 ERA, potentially shifting to a long relief role.

Phillies Sign J.T. Realmuto After Bichette Pursuit

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The Phillies have signed veteran catcher J.T. Realmuto to a three-year, $45 million contract, with $15 million annually plus a max of $5 million in award bonuses. This move came after Philadelphia failed to reach an agreement with Bo Bichette, pivoting their focus to Realmuto.

Randy Arozarena's Potential Shift to Full-Time DH for Mariners Explored

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The Seattle Mariners are considering a potential shift for Randy Arozarena to a full-time Designated Hitter role. In 2025, Arozarena showed strong hitting with a 90th percentile hard-hit rate but also high whiff and strikeout rates, alongside declining defense. While a proactive DH move could help maintain his offensive production and reduce physical wear, it's deemed unlikely in his contract year, especially given the Mariners' current outfield depth limitations and his potential to depress his own value.

Frank Schwindel's Memorable Pitching Stints for Cubs in 2022 Blowouts

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Frank Schwindel, who hit well for the Cubs in 2021, made three memorable pitching appearances during blowout losses in 2022. On June 3, he surrendered two home runs against the Cardinals. Nine days later, he threw the slowest pitch ever hit for a home run in the pitch tracking era against the Yankees. His final outing on June 15 saw another homer against the Padres, with the Cubs losing these three games by a combined 51-14, highlighting a dreadful period for the team.

Dominic Smith's Hamstring Injury Derailed Giants' 2025 Postseason Push

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Dominic Smith's 2025 season for the San Francisco Giants ended prematurely due to a strained hamstring, impacting the team's postseason chances as they went 6-9 in his absence. In 63 games, Smith posted a .284/.333/.417 slash line with 5 homers and 26 RBI, earning a 111 wRC+ and +0.4 fWAR. He proved to be a clutch performer, ranking third in Win Probability Added for the Giants and 22nd in MLB in FanGraphs' Clutch Statistic, effectively filling a vital veteran role for the team.

Ha-Seong Kim to Miss Months for Braves After Slipping on Ice

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Ha-Seong Kim is expected to miss all of spring training and at least a couple of months of the regular season for the Atlanta Braves after sustaining an injury from slipping on ice in his home country. His absence is considered a 'major blow' to the team's offense, despite his $20 million one-year deal. Mauricio Dubón and Jorge Mateo are expected to fill in at shortstop during his recovery, with the Braves not anticipating being at full strength before July.

Mauricio Dubón to Cover Shortstop for Braves Amid Kim's Injury Absence

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Mauricio Dubón is slated to take over shortstop duties for the Atlanta Braves for several months following Ha-Seong Kim's injury. While Dubón is expected to provide solid-to-great defense at the position, concerns linger about his offensive contributions. In 2025, he finished in the 10th percentile for Batting Run Value (-12), with his career high being just 1 in 2023, raising questions about his ability to adequately replace Kim's potential plate production for the Braves.

Marlins Acquire Pitcher Bradley Blalock from Rockies

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The Marlins are set to acquire right-hander Bradley Blalock from the Rockies for a Minor League pitcher. Blalock, 25, adds Major League experience to Miami's staff after they traded Edward Cabrera and Ryan Weathers. He has an 8.16 ERA over 21 MLB games (18 starts), debuting in June 2024 before being traded to Colorado.

Yankees Stand Firm on Cody Bellinger Offer

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The New York Yankees are reportedly standing firm on their five-year, $150 million offer to Cody Bellinger, while Bellinger's camp seeks seven guaranteed years. The Blue Jays and Mets are also negotiating with Bellinger. The Yankees are considering pivoting to the trade market, potentially targeting Freddy Peralta, if a deal for Bellinger doesn't materialize. The Yankees' lineup without Bellinger appears thin, relying on potential growth from younger players.

Ryan Pressly Joins Twins in Player Development

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Recently retired RHP Ryan Pressly has been hired by the Minnesota Twins in a player development role. This news was part of a light day of baseball updates on January 20, 2026, which also included information on Jose A. Ferrer and Jorge Mateo.

Jorge Mateo Signs with Atlanta Braves

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The Atlanta Braves have signed utility player Jorge Mateo to a one-year deal worth $1 million. This move was reported on January 20, 2026, as part of a day with limited baseball news, which also featured updates on Jose A. Ferrer and Ryan Pressly.

Mariners High on New Reliever Jose A. Ferrer

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The Seattle Mariners have high hopes for new reliever Jose A. Ferrer, believing he addresses a key need in their bullpen. This news was part of a light day of baseball updates on January 20, 2026, which also included news on Jorge Mateo and Ryan Pressly.

Justin Steele's Rehab Ahead of Schedule

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Chicago Cubs left-hander Justin Steele is progressing well in his recovery from Tommy John surgery performed April 18, 2025. His rehab is ahead of schedule, with his first mound throwing session completed successfully. Steele anticipates a potential return early in the 2026 season, possibly in May, though the Cubs may opt for a more cautious approach, potentially delaying his return until after the All-Star break to ensure full health, leveraging their rotation depth.