AutoDraft Pro
Get the app

Player news from trusted outlets

MLB News

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

Wednesday, November 19, 2025

Braves Acquire Gold Glove Utility Player Mauricio Dubón from Astros

AutoDraft Pro AI

The Atlanta Braves acquired two-time Gold Glove utility player Mauricio Dubón, 31, from the Houston Astros in exchange for infielder Nick Allen. Dubón offers versatile defense, playing 15 or more games at second base, shortstop, third base, and in the outfield during the 2025 season. At the plate in 2025, he slashed .241/.289/.355 with 7 home runs, 33 RBI, and 3 stolen bases. He is a career .257/.295/.374 hitter across seven MLB seasons.

Braves Re-Sign Closer Raisel Iglesias to One-Year, $16 Million Deal

AutoDraft Pro AI

The Atlanta Braves have re-signed closer Raisel Iglesias to a one-year, $16 million deal, stabilizing their bullpen. Iglesias, who will be 36 next season, posted a 3.21 ERA, 73 strikeouts, 16 walks, and 29 saves in 67 1/3 innings in 2025. His struggles were primarily early in the season, with a 6.75 ERA through early June, but he finished strong with a 1.25 ERA over his final 43 1/3 innings. He previously recorded a 1.95 ERA with 34 saves in 2024 and a 2.75 ERA with 33 saves in 2023.

Grayson Rodriguez 'Shocked' by Angels Trade, Confident in Health for Spring Training

AutoDraft Pro AI

Grayson Rodriguez, a former Orioles first-round pick, expressed shock but excitement about his trade to the Los Angeles Angels, viewing it as a fresh start. After a breakthrough 2024 season (13-4, 3.86 ERA, 130 K) cut short by back muscle discomfort, he missed all of 2025 due to elbow, shoulder, and back issues, eventually undergoing surgery to remove bone spurs that had lingered for years. Rodriguez, who has already spoken with Angels pitching coach Mike Maddux, is confident his arm feels great and expects to be ready for spring training after starting long-toss and bullpen sessions in January. Angels GM Perry Minasian acknowledged the risk but emphasized Rodriguez's four years of control and potential to impact the rotation, while the trade also freed up salary for further free-agent pursuits.

Kodai Senga Drawing Trade Interest as Mets Eye Rotation Overhaul

AutoDraft Pro AI

New York Mets right-hander Kodai Senga is reportedly being discussed in trade talks and drawing interest from teams as the Mets look to overhaul their starting rotation. Senga, who signed with the Mets in 2023, posted a 2.98 ERA and 12-7 record in his rookie year, finishing 7th in Cy Young voting. After making just one start in 2024 due to injuries, he bounced back in 2025 with a 3.02 ERA in 22 starts despite late-season injury setbacks. Mets president David Stearns still views Senga as part of the 2026 rotation, believing he has the talent for a bounce-back year.

Free Agent Dylan Cease Seeks $100M+ Deal Despite 4.55 ERA in 2025

AutoDraft Pro AI

Free agent right-hander Dylan Cease, turning 30, is expected to command a lucrative long-term deal despite posting a 4.55 ERA in 2025, which ranked 43rd among qualified pitchers. He is one of only four pitchers with 30+ starts in each of the last five seasons and the only one with 200+ strikeouts in each of those five years, including a 29.8% strikeout rate in 2025. Cease has not been on the IL for an arm injury since his 2019 MLB debut. His career includes a 2.20 ERA in 2022 (2nd in AL Cy Young) and a 3.47 ERA in 2024 with the Padres.

Frankie Montas Released by Mets Amid Injury-Plagued Seasons, Becomes Free Agent

AutoDraft Pro AI

Frankie Montas, a right-handed pitcher, was officially released by the New York Mets on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, due to an elbow issue, making him a free agent. This follows a challenging 2024 season where he split time between the Brewers and Reds, posting a 4.84 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, and 148:66 K:BB across 150.2 innings. His performance improved after being traded to Milwaukee (4.55 ERA), but inconsistencies persisted, including a career-worst 42.3% hard-hit rate. Montas' recent career has been plagued by injuries; he made only one appearance in 2023 recovering from shoulder surgery, which he underwent in February 2023 after a disappointing 2022 season (4.05 ERA with A's and Yankees). Despite past struggles and an 8.8 K/9 since 2022, there's optimism for a rebound given the Mets' success with other free-agent pitchers. Montas has shown flashes of front-line starter potential, notably in 2019 and 2021 (3.37 ERA, 207 K's with a dominant splitter), but consistent production has eluded him due to injuries and performance dips. His workload is expected to be limited even if healthy.

Paul Skenes Denies Yankees Trade Rumors, Reaffirms Commitment to Pirates After Cy Young Win

AutoDraft Pro AI

Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes, fresh off unanimously winning the 2025 NL Cy Young Award and the 2024 NL Rookie of the Year, vehemently denied a recent report suggesting he desired a trade to the New York Yankees. Speaking on "The Dan Patrick Show" on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, Skenes called the report "obviously, not true" and expressed frustration, stating he has "unfinished business in Pittsburgh" and wants to lead the team's turnaround. Despite the Pirates finishing last in the NL Central in his first two seasons, Skenes remains motivated by the prospect of winning with the club. The two-time All-Star posted an MLB-best 1.97 ERA in 2025, a hundredth of a point higher than his 1.96 ERA in 2024, marking the lowest ERA by a Pirates starter with at least 140 innings since 1916. He also became the first qualified pitcher aged 23 or younger to achieve a sub-2.00 ERA since Dwight Gooden in 1985, solidifying his status as a generational talent committed to Pittsburgh.

Taylor Ward Traded to Orioles for Grayson Rodriguez, Boosts Baltimore Offense

AutoDraft Pro AI

Outfielder Taylor Ward was traded from the Los Angeles Angels to the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday, November 19, 2025, in exchange for pitcher Grayson Rodriguez. The Orioles acquired Ward, who is set to earn around $13.5 million in arbitration for the upcoming season and will hit free agency after 2026, to bolster their lineup, particularly against left-handed pitching. The soon-to-be 32-year-old is coming off a career year in 2025, where he hit 36 home runs, drove in 103 runs, and posted a .792 OPS across 157 games, ranking as a top-20 outfielder offensively. While Ward has battled various injuries, including a facial fracture in 2023 and lat/elbow issues in 2024-2025, he has played through most of them, completing two consecutive seasons with over 135 games. His career .247/.327/.439 slash line, .192 ISO, and 11.5% barrel rate highlight his offensive value, complemented by solid defensive play in corner outfield spots. Moving to Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Ward is expected to see an increase in RBI and runs due to a stronger lineup, though a slight dip in home run production is anticipated due to park factors, potentially settling around 25 homers with a boost in batting average and counting stats.

Brandon Woodruff's Record Salary Not Linked to Freddy Peralta Trade for Brewers

AutoDraft Pro AI

Milwaukee Brewers owner Mark Attanasio clarified that Brandon Woodruff's acceptance of the qualifying offer is not a precursor to trading fellow pitcher Freddy Peralta. Attanasio stated that decisions regarding the rotation are independent, expressing excitement about the current pitching staff. Woodruff's $22.025 million salary for 2026 will mark the highest ever for a pitcher in Brewers team history. While Peralta, 29, is a year away from free agency—a typical timeframe for Milwaukee to trade key players—the team has shown flexibility in the past, as seen with Willy Adames. Peralta is currently ranked among the offseason's top trade candidates, but Woodruff's situation is not directly tied to his potential departure.

Yankees Emerge as 'Clear Favorite' to Sign Free Agent Cody Bellinger

AutoDraft Pro AI

The New York Yankees are reportedly the clear favorites to sign free agent outfielder Cody Bellinger, according to MLB.com. Yankees GM Brian Cashman confirmed the team's continued pursuit of Bellinger, even after Trent Grisham accepted his $22.025 million qualifying offer. Despite having a seemingly full outfield with Grisham, American League MVP Aaron Judge, and Jasson Domínguez, the Yankees rotated Bellinger, Domínguez, and Grisham extensively in 2025, with the designated hitter spot also available. Re-signing Bellinger could potentially make Domínguez a trade candidate. Bellinger is ranked as the sixth-best free agent available this offseason, highlighting his market value.

Tuesday, November 18, 2025

Camilo Doval Trade Yields Promising Prospect Parks Harber for Giants

AutoDraft Pro AI

The San Francisco Giants' trade involving Camilo Doval has seen infielder Parks Harber emerge as a significant contributor. Harber, part of a four-player package acquired from the New York Yankees, initially wasn't the centerpiece (catcher Jesus Rodriguez was), but he impressed in the Arizona Fall League with a .383/.513/.683 slash line, three homers, nine doubles, and a 1.196 OPS in 17 appearances. General Manager Zack Minasian praised Harber's hitting and defensive versatility, noting his .333 average and 1.097 OPS with seven homers in 25 High-A Eugene games post-trade. The 24-year-old, previously in the Yankees' farm system, is projected for Double-A early in the 2026 season, fitting the Giants' need for right-handed power.

Brewers Deny Peralta Trade Imminent Despite Woodruff's Return, Eyeing Ace's Future

AutoDraft Pro AI

The Milwaukee Brewers' front office has pushed back against reports suggesting a Freddy Peralta trade is imminent following Brandon Woodruff's qualifying offer acceptance. Owner Mark Attanasio and president Matt Arnold stated these are "independent decisions." Peralta, on an expiring contract and set to earn a team-friendly $8 million in 2026, is a valuable trade asset. The 29-year-old ace had an exceptional 2025 season, posting a 17-6 record with a 2.70 ERA in 33 starts, earning his second All-Star selection and finishing fifth in Cy Young voting. The Mets are among teams reportedly interested in acquiring top-line starters like Peralta.

Brewers' Brandon Woodruff Accepts Qualifying Offer, Returns for 2026 Season

AutoDraft Pro AI

Brandon Woodruff accepted the Milwaukee Brewers' one-year, $22.025 million qualifying offer on November 18, 2025, becoming one of a record four players to do so. His decision fueled speculation about a potential Freddy Peralta trade, which the Brewers' front office quickly denied, emphasizing "independent decisions." Woodruff's acceptance provides certainty after an injury-riddled 2025 season where he struggled to regain fastball velocity following a serious shoulder injury. Opting for the guaranteed deal over testing a free-agent market potentially skeptical of his health and the draft-pick compensation requirement, Woodruff will return to Milwaukee for 2026.

Angels Acquire Top Prospect Grayson Rodriguez from Orioles in Ward Trade

AutoDraft Pro AI

Grayson Rodriguez, a 26-year-old right-hander, was traded by the Baltimore Orioles to the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday in exchange for outfielder Taylor Ward. The Angels sought a top-of-the-rotation starter, hoping Rodriguez, controllable for four more years, will fill that role. Drafted 11th overall in 2018, Rodriguez's 2025 season was entirely sidelined by an elbow injury requiring debridement surgery, though he is expected to be ready for spring training. He showed promise in 2023-2024, posting a 4.11 ERA with 259 strikeouts in 238⅔ innings. His 2024 season included a 13-4 record, 3.86 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and 130:36 K:BB in 116.2 innings before a lat/teres injury ended his season in July. In 2023, after a difficult start (7.35 ERA in 10 starts), he excelled in Triple-A (1.96 ERA over 8 starts) and upon recall (5-2, 2.58 ERA over 13 starts). He also suffered a Grade 2 lat strain in Triple-A in June 2023. His workload significantly increased from 75.2 innings in 2022 to 165 innings in 2023. Standing 6-foot-5, 220 pounds, his arsenal includes a mid-to-high 90s fastball and several plus secondary pitches. Despite injury setbacks, he's viewed as a potential front-of-the-rotation pitcher, and his departure makes the Orioles' need for starting pitching more acute.

Orioles Acquire Veteran Outfielder Taylor Ward from Angels in Key Swap

AutoDraft Pro AI

Taylor Ward, who will turn 32 next month, was acquired by the Baltimore Orioles from the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday in exchange for right-hander Grayson Rodriguez. The Orioles sought a power-hitting outfielder and see Ward, entering his final season before free agency, as a solution to provide steady production alongside Colton Cowser and Tyler O'Neil. Ward, originally drafted 26th overall as a catcher in 2015, transitioned through third base to left field. He overhauled his swing, leading to a patient-yet-powerful approach that resulted in a .237/.320/.450 slash line with 61 home runs and 178 RBIs from 2024 to 2025, ranking 25th in chase rate among 316 hitters. For the Angels, trading Ward helped clear a glut of corner outfielders, including Mike Trout, Jo Adell, and Jorge Soler, as they look to add a center fielder.

White Sox Acquire Left-Hander Chris Murphy in Trade with Red Sox

AutoDraft Pro AI

The Chicago White Sox acquired left-handed pitcher Chris Murphy from the Boston Red Sox in a trade on November 19, 2025. Murphy, 27, posted a 3-0 record with a 3.12 ERA in 23 relief appearances for the Red Sox this year, alongside a 1-0 record and 2.93 ERA in 18 minor league appearances. A sixth-round pick in 2019, Murphy missed the entire 2024 season recovering from Tommy John surgery. In exchange, Boston received minor league catcher Ronny Hernández, who hit .251 with four homers and 34 RBIs in Class A Kannapolis this year.

Minnesota Twins Acquire Reliever Eric Orze from Rays to Bolster Bullpen

AutoDraft Pro AI

The Minnesota Twins have acquired right-handed reliever Eric Orze from the Tampa Bay Rays in a trade, sending minor league pitcher Jacob Kisting to Tampa Bay. This move marks a step in rebuilding the Twins' bullpen, which saw top relievers dealt before the July 31 trade deadline. Orze, a 28-year-old cancer survivor, made his major league debut with the New York Mets in July 2024 after being a fifth-round pick in 2020. Last season with the Rays, he posted a 3.02 ERA and three saves across 33 relief appearances, recording 40 strikeouts and 19 walks in 41⅔ innings. He also excelled at Triple-A Durham with a 2.20 ERA and 37 strikeouts in 28⅔ innings.

Michael Toglia Designated for Assignment by Rockies After Promising 2024 Season

AutoDraft Pro AI

Michael Toglia has been designated for assignment by the Colorado Rockies. This move follows a 2024 season where he was a bright spot, hitting 25 home runs and stealing 10 bases in 116 games, primarily at first base. Despite a .218 batting average, Statcast indicated a .244 xBA due to impressive batted-ball metrics, and he maintained an 11.8% walk rate, with 17 of his 25 homers hit on the road. A 2019 first-round pick, Toglia has shown significant offensive upside, including an .842 OPS with 16 homers in 78 Triple-A games in 2023, suggesting he has little left to prove in the minors. However, his MLB career has been marked by a high 33% strikeout rate and inconsistent performance, including a .163/.224/.284 line in 45 games in 2023. The 6-foot-5 switch-hitter possesses plus power and a patient approach, but his long swing contributes to persistent strikeout concerns. While playing half his games at Coors Field offers fantasy appeal, his opportunities with the Rockies were projected to be inconsistent given the team's crowded depth chart.

Yankees Add Right-Hander Chase Hampton to 40-Man Roster Ahead of Rule 5 Draft

AutoDraft Pro AI

Right-handed pitcher Chase Hampton has been added to the New York Yankees' 40-man roster, protecting him from the Rule 5 Draft deadline. Hampton, the organization's No. 8 prospect, is projected to make his big league debut between the 2026 and 2027 seasons. The 24-year-old, a sixth-round pick in 2022, missed the entire 2025 campaign after undergoing Tommy John surgery in February. Despite the injury, his previous performance includes a 3.45 ERA with 161 strikeouts over 125.1 innings across 27 starts, reaching as high as Double-A in 2023 and 2024.

Yankees Protect Top Prospect Spencer Jones, Add Outfielder to 40-Man Roster

AutoDraft Pro AI

The New York Yankees have officially added top outfield prospect Spencer Jones to their 40-man roster, protecting him from the upcoming Rule 5 Draft. Jones, ranked as the organization's No. 4 prospect by MLB Pipeline, was among five Top 100 prospects who would have been exposed. His big league debut is projected between the 2026 and 2027 seasons. In 2025, Jones was one of the best minor league hitters, slashing .274/.362/.571 across 403 at-bats with 35 home runs, 23 doubles, 80 RBI, 102 runs, and 29 stolen bases in 116 combined games between Double-A Somerset and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He ranked second in minor league home runs and fifth in slugging.