MLB News

St. Louis Cardinals left-handed pitcher Matthew Liberatore wants to be the team's Opening Day starter and hopes to "force their hand" in any way during spring training. Jim Hayes of the FanDuel Sports Network reported that the southpaw has added a new pitch that he plans to unveil during camp. After spending most of 2024 in the bullpen, Liberatore was able to log a career-high 151 2/3 innings with the Cardinals last season, operating as a full-time starter. During this stretch, Liberatore posted a 4.21 ERA with a 1.31 WHIP. He struck out 122 hitters but showed high-end command, allowing walks at a low 6.2% rate. Under the hood, he generated a modest 4.90 xERA, suggesting he could take a step back in the upcoming season. Liberatore figures to compete alongside Michael McGreevy, Dustin May, and Richard Fitts for the Opening Day nod.

Philadelphia Phillies infield prospect Aidan Miller earned an invite to spring training. Miller is considered one of the top shortstop prospects in the sport on MLB.com and is viewed as the team's No. 2 overall prospect. The 21-year-old joined Philadelphia in the opening round (27th overall) of the 2023 MLB Draft. The infielder began the 2025 campaign with Double-A Reading, where he held a .259/.382/.427 line with an .809 OPS. Miller hit 25 doubles, 13 home runs, and stole 52 bases. He then finished the season with a brief eight-game stint at Triple-A, where Miller posted a strong .333/.514/.519 line with one home run and an impressive seven stolen bases. Given that Miller has only had a brief stint in Triple-A, he will likely begin the 2026 season there. However, if he has a successful spring training, he may contend for an early 2026 MLB debut.

Philadelphia Phillies outfield prospect Justin Crawford has earned an invite to spring training. Crawford is currently considered the team's No. 3 prospect according to MLB Pipeline and is the No. 54 overall prospect in the entire sport. Last season, the 17th overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft spent his entire season with Lehigh Valley. Through 112 contests with the Iron Pigs, the outfielder posted a .334/.411/.452 line with an .863 OPS. During this stretch, Crawford hit 23 doubles, added seven home runs, and swiped an impressive 46 bags. In 2024, Crawford held a similar .313/.360/.444 line with 25 doubles, nine home runs, and 42 stolen bases across 110 games, placed between High-A and Double-A. Managers should expect Crawford to compete for the starting center field role in camp. If he does earn the job, he will carry sleeper appeal in category leagues given his elite contact skills and speed.

New York Yankees relief pitcher Kaleb Ort has been designated for assignment by the organization on Friday. Ort was claimed by the Bronx Bombers earlier this month from the Houston Astros. He'll now be placed on waivers to open up a roster spot for outfielder Michael Siani. Last season, Ort posted a 4.89 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, and a 49/27 K/BB ratio across 49 games with the Astros. Over the course of his five-year career, Ort has a 5.00 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP across 118 big league games. The 29-year-old could land with another organization as a depth option in Spring Training.

Minnesota Twins catcher Jhonny Pereda has been designated for assignment by the organization on Friday. Pereda was the odd man out after the Twins signed catcher Victor Caratini this week. They needed to make room on the 40-man roster, so Pereda will be placed on waivers. Last season, Pereda slashed .246/.325/.333 with four RBI across 28 games with the Athletics and Twins. The 29-year-old put together strong numbers during his time in Triple-A last season. It wouldn't be shocking to see a team give him a chance this spring. He'll likely serve as a depth option wherever he lands, which won't result in much fantasy value.

Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson (shoulder) wasn't 100 percent healthy during the 2025 campaign. According to Matt Weyrich, Henderson was playing through a shoulder impingement and inflammation last season. This injury could be part of the reason why Henderson's stats regressed last season. His slash line took a hit; most notably, his OPS went from .893 in 2024 to .787 last season. Henderson saw his home run numbers go from 37 during the 2024 campaign to 17 long balls last season. The good news is that Henderson is now fully healthy heading into Spring Training. Fantasy managers should expect a bounce-back campaign from Henderson in 2026.

Baltimore Orioles outfielder Heston Kjerstad (fatigue) will be a full participant during Spring Training, according to O's manager Craig Albernaz. Kjerstad didn't play after late July last season due to fatigue issues. He later underwent treatment for an undisclosed medical condition, but appears to be fully healthy now. The 26-year-old slashed .192/.240/.327 with four home runs, 19 RBI, and one steal in 54 games with the Orioles last season. The former first-round pick hasn't quite put it all together at the MLB level yet. He doesn't exactly have a clear path to consistent playing time in Baltimore to begin the season. Kjestad still has promising potential, so he's someone to keep an eye on during camp.

The New York Mets have traded right-handed pitcher Cooper Criswell to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for cash considerations. Criswell was designated for assignment by the Mets following the trade for Freddy Peralta and Tobias Myers. Criswell was the odd man out in New York, but should compete for a 26-man roster spot in camp with Seattle. Last season, Criswell posted a 3.57 ERA, 1.58 WHIP, and a 9/5 K/BB ratio across seven appearances with the Boston Red Sox. Criswell registered a 4.08 ERA in 26 games (18 starts) with Boston during the 2024 campaign. This is a low-risk move for the Mariners, who could get a decent swingman in Criswell.

The New York Yankees claimed outfielder Michael Siani off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday, according to the Yankees PR department. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Yankees designated right-hander Kaleb Ort for assignment. Siani, 26, only appeared in 19 games at the big-league level in 2025 with the St. Louis Cardinals, going 4-for-17 (.235) with four runs, two walks, and seven strikeouts. He's not much to look at as a hitter, as he's slashed .221/.277/.270 with a .547 OPS, two home runs, 20 RBI, 48 runs scored, and 21 stolen bases in 160 MLB games since debuting in 2022 with the Cincinnati Reds. The Yankees will take a flier on the glove-first Siani for outfield depth, and he'll be battling for a spot on the Opening Day roster in spring training. Speed and defense are what stand out about Siani.

Free-agent right-hander Aaron Sanchez won the Dominican Winter League's Pitcher of the Year award and is attracting interest from MLB teams, league sources told Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic. In his eight starts over 46 1/3 innings in the Dominican league, Sanchez had a shiny 1.55 ERA. The 33-year-old veteran sat out last season and hasn't pitched in the big leagues since 2022. Sanchez came up as a top prospect and is best known for his time with the Toronto Blue Jays. He was an All-Star in 2016, when he went 15-2 with a 3.00 ERA. Injuries (mostly blister issues) got the best of him from 2017 to 2022, though, and he had a bloated 5.29 ERA in that span. At Triple-A Buffalo in 2024, Sanchez was even worse with a 7.92 ERA in 61 1/3 innings. His impressive work this winter came in a small sample size, but it could be enough to give him another shot on an MLB roster in 2026.

New York Mets outfield prospect Carson Benge is already in Port St. Lucie, Fla., at the team's spring training complex after spending some time during the offseason hitting with the Holliday family at Oklahoma State, according to Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic. Benge is the Mets' top position-player prospect, and the Mets never seriously considered moving him in trade conversations for right-hander Freddy Peralta, according to league sources. The 23-year-old was the 19th overall pick in 2024 out of Oklahoma State, and the Mets clearly think highly of him. President of baseball operations David Stearns has expressed interest in allowing Benge to crack the Opening Day roster out of spring training. Benge slashed .281/.385/.472 with 15 homers and 22 steals at three minor-league levels in 2025. He has a chance to start in center field, but even if he doesn't, Benge could be a left-handed platoon option in a corner-outfield spot.

New York Mets starting pitcher Kodai Senga is expected to open the regular season in the big-league rotation, according to president of baseball operations David Stearns. "I certainly expect Kodai to be a member of our rotation," Stearns told team reporter Andy Martino during an interview on the Mets' YouTube channel. "He's had a really strong offseason." The Mets believe that Senga is in great shape and should earn a spot in the starting rotation following spring training. That's a shift in the narrative from last fall, when the Mets sent Senga to Triple-A, and rumors swirled about a potential offseason trade. The right-hander pitched to a dominant 2.98 ERA and 3.4 fWAR during his first season stateside in 2023, and while his ERA was similar last year, his xFIP soared to 4.35. He also posted 8.66 K/9, 4.37 BB/9, and a 46.6% ground ball rate across 22 starts in 2025. It's worth noting that Stearns' comments about Senga joining the rotation were made right before the Mets acquired Freddy Peralta. However, Senga still has a strong chance to crack the Opening Day roster, especially if New York opens the year with a six-man rotation.

The Milwaukee Brewers are "involved on" free-agent catcher Reese McGuire, according to Chris Cotillo of MassLive. Cotillo opened his report by saying that McGuire would be heading somewhere other than the Red Sox, and he proceeded to identify the Brewers as a potential landing spot. As a result, the two sides could be working toward a deal, but nothing is finalized yet. McGuire spent last season with the Chicago Cubs, splitting time between the majors and Triple-A. Through 45 games at the big-league level, he slashed .226/.245/.444 with a 2.9% walk rate, 19.3% strikeout rate, and 86 wRC+. He launched a career-high nine home runs, but his .355 xSLG indicates that he's due for some major power regression. McGuire's offense has plateaued into nothing special as he reaches his early thirties, but his defense behind the plate remains serviceable, at the very least. In 2025, he posted 2.6 framing runs while throwing out eight of 31 base-stealers.

Teams have expressed interest in trading for Washington Nationals outfielder Jacob Young, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. However, it's unclear whether Washington has a desire to trade him at this time. Young, 26, is a plus defender in center field with four years remaining under team control. He made 112 appearances (901.1 innings) in the outfield last year and didn't commit a single error. While the glovework is impressive, defense can be tougher to project long-term, and the Nationals' new front office might feel less inclined to hold onto a glove-first outfielder from the previous regime. Young's offensive output is nothing special, as he slashed just .231/.296/.287 with two home runs, 15 stolen bases, a 7.4% walk rate, a 17.9% strikeout rate, and a 66 wRC+ last year. He finished the campaign with -14.5 fWAR at the plate, 12.2 fWAR in the field, and 1.0 fWAR overall. Rosenthal notes that the new front office believes the entire outfield can improve offensively and defensively under the new coaching staff, but he also hints at a potential outfield logjam with Robert Hassell III in the mix for a 26-man roster spot alongside Dylan Crews, Daylen Lile, and James Wood. As a result, we wouldn't be surprised if Young becomes the odd man out.

The Chicago White Sox have signed free agent reliever Seranthony Dominguez to a two-year, $20 million contract, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN.com. The deal includes a mutual option for 2028. The White Sox recently traded away outfielder Luis Robert Jr., and now, they're allocating that extra money to bolster their bullpen. Dominguez is a 31-year-old right-hander who split the 2025 season between Baltimore and Toronto. He posted a solid 3.23 xFIP with 11.4 K/9, but his walk rate soared to a career-high clip of 5.2 BB/9. There's a lot to like about his repertoire, though. Dominguez's sweeper grades out at 130 Stuff+ by FanGraphs' model, and it generated whiffs at a phenomenal 49.1% clip with a .112 xBA. His splitter is similarly dominant with 118 Stuff+, a 49.5% whiff rate, and a .141 xBA. Dominguez offers an analytically intriguing arm out of the White Sox' bullpen, and Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports that he's expected to be the team's closer. He will be a key piece for the White Sox down the stretch if they end up playing competitive baseball in 2026. If not, he'll be an intriguing name to monitor at the trade deadline with a year and a half left on his contract.

After spending the first eight seasons of his career with the Milwaukee Brewers, starting pitcher Freddy Peralta was traded to the New York Mets ahead of the 2026 campaign. The 29-year-old is coming off arguably his best showing in 2025, posting a 17-6 record with a 2.70 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 204 strikeouts across 176 2/3 innings (33 starts) with Milwaukee. Peralta has now logged three consecutive 200-strikeout seasons and held opposing hitters to a .191 batting average in 2025. With the Mets, Peralta profiles as the team's ace and should be highly motivated as he prepares to hit free agency following 2026. It's hard to say that Peralta is in a better position to rack up wins in New York, given that the Brewers won a National League-best 97 games last season. However, the Mets should be a highly competitive team, and Citi Field is traditionally one of the more favorable home parks for pitchers. Peralta remains a borderline fantasy SP1 heading into 2026.

Free agent starting pitcher Framber Valdez remains unsigned as the calendar ticks closer to February and the start of 2026 Spring Training. The 32-year-old left-hander has been one of MLB's most durable and consistent starters over the past four seasons. In 2025, he posted a 13-11 record with a 3.66 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and 187 strikeouts across 192 innings (31 starts) for the Houston Astros. Valdez has been linked to several clubs at various points throughout the offseason and could be the next major free agent domino to fall. The most recent team to reportedly show interest in Valdez is the Toronto Blue Jays, who have been one of the winter's most active teams. However, Toronto recently lost infielder Bo Bichette to the New York Mets and missed out on outfielder Kyle Tucker, to whom they reportedly made a sizable offer, to the Los Angeles Dodgers. As a result, the Blue Jays could have money to spend on Valdez. If he lands in Toronto, Valdez would be in a good spot to record his sixth consecutive season with double-digit wins. He currently holds an average draft position of pick 89 in traditional rotisserie scoring fantasy leagues and could see his ADP rise once he finds a home.

The New York Mets acquired outfielder Luis Robert Jr. from the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday in exchange for utility infielder Luisangel Acuna and pitching prospect Truman Pauley. Robert struggled across 431 plate appearances with Chicago in 2025, posting a .223/.297/.364 slash line with 14 home runs, 53 RBI, 52 runs scored, and 33 stolen bases. However, the 28-year-old is just two seasons removed from his 38-homer, 20-stolen base campaign in 2023 that led him to a Silver Slugger award in 2023. Robert Jr. projects as the Mets' everyday center fielder due to his strong defense, and he still brings an intriguing mix of power, speed, and all-around upside. Even in a down year in 2025, he posted his lowest strikeout rate (26%) since 2022 and recorded the best walk rate (9.3%) of his career. After years of playing for the rebuilding White Sox, Robert Jr. will also have a chance to boost his counting stats in a much more talented Mets lineup. RotoBaller currently ranks him as the #29 outfielder for traditional rotisserie scoring fantasy leagues.

Kansas City Royals outfielder/first baseman Jac Caglianone got his first taste of the big leagues in 2025, earning a promotion from Triple-A Omaha in early June. The 22-year-old struggled across 232 MLB plate appearances, posting a .157/.237/.295 slash line with seven home runs, 18 RBI, 19 runs scored, and one stolen base. However, there is reason to believe that Caglianone has breakout potential in 2026. Known as a high-end power hitter as a prospect, Caglianone logged solid hard-hit (42.4%) and barrel rates (12%) while keeping his strikeout rate at a manageable 22.4% in his first stint with the Royals. He also appears ticketed for every day playing time in right field in Kansas City, given the team's current lack of high-end outfield talent. Finally, the Royals announced that they will be moving in the fences at Kauffman Stadium for the 2026 season, which should boost the power output in what has traditionally been one of MLB's most difficult parks to hit home runs in. For fantasy managers looking for relatively cheap power sources in the middle of drafts, Caglianone should be on their radar.

The New York Yankees and outfielder Cody Bellinger agreed to terms on a new contract on Wednesday that will guarantee the 30-year-old $162.5 million over five years. Bellinger was excellent in his first season with the Yankees in 2025, posting a .272/.334/.480 slash line with 29 home runs, 98 RBI, 89 runs scored, and 13 stolen bases across 656 plate appearances. Bellinger outperformed his underlying hitting metrics, as he posted middling barrel (7.5%) and hard-hit rates (37.9%). However, playing his home games in front of the short right field porch at Yankee Stadium should continue to boost Bellinger's power. In 2025, Bellinger slugged .544 across 337 plate appearances at home compared to just .414 across 319 plate appearances on the road. He should see every day playing time in left field in New York, and also brings the ability to cover first base or the other two outfield spots. RotoBaller currently ranks Bellinger as the number 19 outfielder in traditional rotisserie scoring leagues.