MLB News

Alex Bregman  • 3B  •  Red Sox

Alex Bregman Signs Three-Year Deal With Boston

According to Chandler Rome of The Athletic, free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman is signing a three-year, $120 million contract with the Boston Red Sox. The contract includes opt-outs after each season. Bregman was viewed as the clear top bat remaining on the open market. Throughout the offseason, the former two-time World Series champion had several suitors, including the Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros. Bregman spent his entire nine-year MLB career with the Houston Astros. Last season, the 30-year-old posted a .260/.315/.453 slash line with 26 home runs and three stolen bases. He generated a solid .257 xBA. The former second overall pick has always shown an elite eye at the plate throughout his career. Last summer, he posted a stellar 13.6 percent strikeout rate, which gives him a significant boost in points leagues. With Boston, Fantasy managers should expect Bregman to have an everyday role at the hot corner, which will likely shift Rafael Devers to either first base or the designated hitter spot. If Devers were to move to first base, Triston Casas would be penciled in as the everyday DH. Bregman should still be viewed as a solid low-end starting third baseman in all formats, as he should see plenty of RBI opportunities while batting in the top half of the Boston lineup.
2 hours ago   
Nick Pivetta  • SP  •  Padres

Nick Pivetta Signs Four-Year Deal With Padres

Free-agent right-hander Nick Pivetta and the San Diego Padres agreed to a four-year, $55 million deal on Wednesday that includes a pair of opt-outs after the 2026 and 2027 seasons and is pending a physical, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan. Pivetta will now join a starting rotation in San Diego that includes right-handers Dylan Cease, Michael King and Yu Darvish. The 31-year-old Canadian hurler went 6-12 last year with Boston with a 4.14 ERA (4.07 FIP), 1.13 WHIP and 172:36 K:BB in 145 2/3 innings over 27 outings (26 starts). He's known for peppering the strike zone (career 8.6% walk rate) and has had an above average strikeout rate the last two years at 30% while being a swing man in Boston in 2023. Pivetta is not overpowering by any means with a career 41.3% hard-hit rate, but the move to Petco Park should be good news for his fantasy profile as a No. 5 or 6 fantasy starting pitcher.
2 hours ago   
Daniel Vogelbach  • DH

Daniel Vogelbach Hired By Pirates As Special Hitting Assistant

Former first baseman/designated hitter Daniel Vogelbach has been hired by the Pittsburgh Pirates as a special assistant to the hitting department for the 2025 season. Vogelbach will begin his post-playing career after playing in 31 games for the Toronto Blue Jays last year and hitting just .186/.278/.300 with a .578 OPS, one home run and eight RBI in 79 plate appearances. The 32-year-old left-handed slugger began the 2022 campaign with the Pirates and hit .228 (54-for-237) with 12 home runs and 34 RBI in 75 games played. Vogelbach was originally a second-round selection by the Chicago Cubs in 2011. He broke into the big leagues with the Seattle Mariners in 2016 and was named to his only All-Star team in his final full season with Seattle in 2019. Over the course of nine MLB seasons, Vogelbach hit .219/.340/.405 with 81 home runs and 246 RBI in 602 games played for five different organizations.
4 hours ago   
Joe La Sorsa  • RP  •  Reds

Joe La Sorsa To Report To Camp In A Few Days

Cincinnati Reds left-hander Joe La Sorsa (illness) is recovering from an illness and is expected to report to spring training in a few days, according to The Athletic's C. Trent Rosecrans. In addition, right-hander Albert Abreu has yet to secure his visa but is expected to report to camp by next week. Both La Sorsa and Abreu are non-roster invites to spring training this year. The Reds also announced the signing of right-hander Josh Staumont to a minor-league deal this week that includes an invitation to major-league camp. La Sorsa, 26, was released by the Washington Nationals this offseason but quickly latched on with the Reds and will attempt to win a roster spot out of spring training. In 16 relief appearances for the Nats in 2024, he sported a 4.58 ERA and 1.24 WHIP with 14 strikeouts and five walks in 17 2/3 innings. La Sorsa will likely begin the 2025 season in the minors.
4 hours ago   
John Brebbia  • RP  •  Tigers

Tigers Sign John Brebbia To One-Year Deal

The Detroit Tigers announced on Wednesday that they signed free-agent right-hander John Brebbia to a one-year, $2.25 million deal for the 2025 season that includes a club option for 2026 worth $4 million. Brebbia will head back to the American League Central after starting the 2024 campaign with the Chicago White Sox. The 34-year-old veteran reliever also appeared in five games out of the bullpen with the Atlanta Braves. Overall, he was 0-6 with a 5.86 ERA (4.52 FIP), a 1.35 WHIP, two saves, 67 strikeouts and 19 walks in 55 1/3 innings over 59 relief appearances. Other than his 2021 season with the San Francisco Giants, last year was one of Brebbia's worst in his seven years in the big leagues. With the Tigers, he's likely to hold a middle-relief role and shouldn't be on anyone's fantasy radar.
4 hours ago   
Cade Cavalli  • SP  •  Nationals

Cade Cavalli Deemed Healthy To Start Spring Training

According to Andrew Golden of the Washington Post, Nationals right-handed pitcher Cade Cavalli (elbow) is "healthy" entering spring training. However, manager Dave Martinez noted that the team will manage his workload and want him to be available for the entire season when he does return to the mound. Cavalli underwent Tommy John surgery during the 2023 campaign but was only limited to just five 2/3 innings in the minor leagues last season after dealing with dead-arm from his recovery process. Fantasy managers should continue monitoring his status throughout the spring but should expect him to be put on a strict innings limit. Given the extent of the time he has missed, he will likely open the season in the minor leagues as he continues to build up his workload. He last appeared in the majors during the 2022 season, where he made just one start. The 26-year-old could be worth a look in deeper NL-only formats when he returns to the majors but should not be targeted in any drafts given his uncertain timetable.
5 hours ago   
Alexander Canario  • LF  •  Cubs

Alexander Canario Seeing Time At First Base

According to Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Cubs outfielder Alexander Canario saw time at first base on Tuesday. The team is exploring several options to serve as the backup behind Michael Busch. Infielders Jon Berti and Vidal Brujan are also expected to see time at first base during the spring. Canario has been exclusively deployed in the outfield throughout his professional career but could have another route to making the Opening Day roster. Currently, the Chicago outfield is quite crowded at the major league level and has several options in the system, including Owen Caissie and Kevin Alcantara. Over the past two seasons, Canario logged only 21 games in the majors but has performed well, holding a .286/.333/.524 line. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Canario's status during spring training as he could carve out a permanent role on the depth chart.
5 hours ago   
Stephen Kolek  • RP  •  Padres

Stephen Kolek Will Be Stretched Out During The Spring

According to Dennis Lin of The Athletic, San Diego Padres right-handed pitcher Stephen Kolek will be stretched out during spring training to potentially see time as a starting pitcher. Kolek made his major-league debut last season in San Diego and was deployed exclusively out of the bullpen. Across his first 46 2/3 innings in the majors, the 27-year-old posted a 5.21 ERA with a 1.52 WHIP. While he showed strong command with a 5.7 percent walk rate, he was unable to generate many strikeouts and posted a low 18.5 percent strikeout rate. He also generated a strong 56.4 percent ground-ball rate but allowed hard contact at a hefty 41.0 percent rate. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progress during spring training, as he could contend for a spot in the back of the rotation if he performs well.
5 hours ago   
Bryan Hoeing  • RP  •  Padres

Bryan Hoeing Will Be Deployed Out Of The Bullpen

According to Dennis Lin of The Athletic, San Diego Padres right-handed pitcher Bryan Hoeing will begin the season pitching out of the bullpen. Last season, Hoeing spent time with the Marlins and the Padres. He was given two starts with Miami but was deployed exclusively out of the bullpen in San Diego. Across 53 2/3 innings of work, the 28-year-old held a solid 2.18 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP. Through 23 2/3 innings of relief in San Diego, Hoeing was very effective as he posted a 1.52 ERA with a 0.80 WHIP. During this stint, he struck out 18 batters and only served up five free passes. He was typically deployed in the sixth and seventh innings and was able to tally two holds. However, he did generate a high 5.07 xERA, suggesting he may face some regression during the 2025 season. Fantasy managers should expect Hoeing to continue to operate as a middle relief option and is not expected to see any save opportunities.
5 hours ago   
Jeferson Quero  • C  •  Brewers

Jeferson Quero Expected To Play During Spring Training

According to Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Brewers catching prospect Jeferson Quero (shoulder) is expected to play during spring training "at some point." Rosiak noted that backstop said he is physically at "75-80 percent" right now. The 22-year-old underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder last April. He was only able to appear in one game before undergoing the season-ending surgery. Fantasy managers in deeper formats should continue to monitor his status as he is considered the top prospect in the Milwaukee system on MLB Pipeline and the No. 35 best in the sport. During the 2023 campaign, the backstop logged 90 games at the Double-A level and posted a .262/.339/.440 slash line with 12 doubles, 16 home runs, and a 38:65 BB:K ratio. He will likely open the season at the Triple-A level but could push for a debut later in the summer if he performs well.
5 hours ago   
Ben Rice  • 1B  •  Yankees

Ben Rice Seeing Work Behind The Plate

According to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, New York Yankees first baseman Ben Rice worked out with the catching group on Wednesday. Hoch noted that the coaching staff said Rice is in the "backup catcher mix." Rice spent most of his minor league career as a catcher but primarily played first base when he made his MLB debut last summer. Across 50 MLB games, Rice logged 49 of those games at first base. Across his first taste of the majors, the 25-year-old posted a .171/.264/.349 slash line with seven home runs. Under the hood, he generated a strong .459 xSLG with a strong 11.2 percent walk rate. However, he struck out at a hefty 27.0 percent rate. At Triple-A, Rice performed very well as he held a .294/.428/.661 slash line with 12 long balls across 30 games. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Rice's status during spring training as he could become the No. 2 backstop behind Austin Wells.
5 hours ago   
Bryan Ramos  • 3B  •  White Sox

Bryan Ramos Has A Sore Elbow

Chicago White Sox third baseman Bryan Ramos (elbow) isn't worried about the sore right elbow that he's dealing with at the start of spring training. Ramos said he feels it more when he's throwing than when he's swinging a bat. The 22-year-old Cuban infielder might be limited to designated-hitter duties early in Cactus League games if his elbow is still bothering him then, but this doesn't sound like an injury that will put him in jeopardy of missing Opening Day in late March. In his big-league debut for the Pale Hose in 2024, Ramos hit only .202 (20-for-99) with three homers, 11 RBI, 13 runs scored and 22 strikeouts in 108 plate appearances over 32 games played. Ramos was more impressive in his second stint in the majors in September. With Josh Rojas and Miguel Vargas ahead of him on the third base depth chart, expect Ramos to open 2025 at Triple-A Charlotte.
6 hours ago   
JT Brubaker  • SP  •  Yankees

JT Brubaker Throws Live BP Session

New York Yankees right-hander JT Brubaker (oblique) was scheduled to throw a live batting practice session at camp on Wednesday. Brubaker had Tommy John surgery in April of 2023 and has not pitched in a big-league game since 2022 with the Pittsburgh Pirates, when he went 3-12 with a 4.69 ERA (3.92 FIP), 1.46 WHIP, a career-high 147 strikeouts and 54 walks in 144 innings over 28 starts. The 31-year-old isn't facing any restrictions in spring training this year with the Yankees after suffering an oblique strain while rehabbing in July of last year. Sixty-one of Brubaker's 63 appearances in his three big-league seasons with Pittsburgh came in a starting role, but he's most likely to occupy a long-relief role in the Bronx if he's on the big-league roster in 2025. The fact that he's out of minor-league options helps his chances of earning an Opening Day roster spot, but fantasy managers can ignore him almost everywhere.
6 hours ago   
Andrew Nardi  • RP  •  Marlins

Andrew Nardi Dealing With Lower-Back Inflammation

Miami Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said that left-handed relief pitcher Andrew Nardi (back) is dealing with lower-back inflammation. As a result, Nardi will be behind the other pitchers at spring training. The 26-year-old southpaw missed the final five-plus weeks of last season due to an elbow injury as well, but hopefully his new back isn't serious enough to land him on the injured list to begin the 2025 regular season. Nardi had an ugly 5.07 ERA in 59 relief outings (49 2/3 innings) for the Fish last year, but hi 3.33 FIP, 70 strikeouts and only 18 walks show that he should be able to bounce back in 2025 in a high-leverage relief role if he can stay healthy. He also had an above-average 33.3 percent strikeout rate and 15 holds in 2024. It's unclear if Nardi will eventually be in the mix for saves, but at the very least, he should have fantasy appeal in holds leagues.
6 hours ago   
Drey Jameson  • SP  •  Diamondbacks

Drey Jameson Confident He'll Be Ready For Opening Day

Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Drey Jameson (elbow), who was scheduled to throw a bullpen session at camp on Wednesday, is confident that he'll be ready to go on Opening Day. Jameson said there's "no question" he'll be ready. The 27-year-old had Tommy John surgery in September of 2023, which caused him to miss the entire 2024 season. He resumed throwing off a mound last July, so it's not all that surprising that he's ramping up even further this spring. The D-backs could bring him along slowly in spring training, but barring a setback with his right elbow, Jameson could win a spot in a low-leverage relief role for Arizona if he makes the Opening Day roster. Jameson has a upper-90s heater and wipeout slider that work well in relief. He had a 3.32 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, one save and 37 K's in 40 2/3 innings over 15 outings (three starts) for the Snakes in 2023. For now, Jameson is merely one to watch in deeper formats.
6 hours ago   
Sawyer Gipson-Long  • SP  •  Tigers

Sawyer Gipson-Long Continues To Rehab

Detroit Tigers right-hander Sawyer Gipson-Long (elbow, hip) has been throwing bullpen sessions twice a week and will throw another one on Friday as he recovers from a left hip labral repair and right UCL reconstruction. The 27-year-old had Tommy John last April and then hip surgery in July. He's not expected to make his 2025 debut until around midseason. Meanwhile, right-hander Wilmer Flores (shoulder) received a platelet-rich plasma injection in January for right-shoulder soreness. He's completing his rehab daily and is likely to start the year at Triple-A Toledo. Right-handers Alex Lange (lat), Tyler Mattison (elbow) and Ricky Vanasco (hip) all continue to rehab their respective injuries, with Lange and Mattison set to throw bullpens this Saturday. Vanasco is playing catch six times a week as he rehabs from a right hip labral repair.
7 hours ago   
Javier Báez  • SS  •  Tigers

Javier Baez Expected To Be Ready For Opening Day

According to the Detroit Free Press' Evan Petzold, Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Baez (hip) is expected to be ready for Opening Day in late March. Baez is doing full hitting and defensive drills and will continue to progress his return to play running progression upon his arrival to spring training. The 32-year-old had a right hip labral repair in September of last year but should be ready for the start of the 2025 season, barring any setbacks in spring training. It's good news that Baez should be healthy for Opening Day, but his struggles since he arrived in Detroit mean that he'll have to compete with young infielder Trey Sweeney for playing time at the 6 this year. In only 80 games in 2024, the former Cubs sensation hit just .184 with a career-low .515 OPS, six home runs and 37 RBI. Baez should remain with the Tigers in 2025, but a bench role might be on tap.
7 hours ago   
Garrett Whitlock  • RP  •  Red Sox

Garrett Whitlock Hits 95 MPH During Live BP Session

Boston Red Sox right-hander Garrett Whitlock (elbow) averaged 95 mph during his live batting practice session at camp on Tuesday and said that he feels "super healthy" and expects to have a normal spring training. Whitlock is nine months removed from having an internal-brace procedure on his right elbow but is a full-go this spring as he transitions back to a full-time relief role for the BoSox. While the 28-year-old will most likely serve in a multi-inning middle-relief role in 2025, manager Alex Cora did mention him as a candidate for saves if the team uses a committee approach to the ninth inning. Whitlock had an ERA under 2.00 with a 1.14 WHIP and 17 strikeouts in 18 1/3 innings over four starts in 2024 before being shut down. He does have plenty of experience in a relief role for Boston and even has nine career saves, but he won't really be fantasy relevant in shallow-mixed leagues if he's coming out of the bullpen.
7 hours ago   
Tyler Alexander  • SP  |  Tyler Alexander  • SP  •  Brewers

Brewers Sign Tyler Alexander To One-Year Deal

The Milwaukee Brewers announced on Wednesday that they signed free-agent left-hander Tyler Alexander to an undisclosed one-year deal. In a corresponding move, left-hander Robert Gasser (elbow) was placed on the 60-day injured list. Alexander became a free agent when the Tampa Bay Rays non-tendered him early in the offseason. The 30-year-old veteran southpaw made 23 appearances (nine starts) for the Rays in 2024 and went 6-5 with a career-worst 5.10 ERA (5.08 FIP), a 1.24 WHIP, a career-high 90 strikeouts and 24 walks in a career-high 107 2/3 total innings. Home runs have been an issue for Alexander in his career, and that's not likely to change with a move to Milwaukee. He's also unlikely to have much fantasy appeal with the Brew Crew in what will likely be a relief role.
7 hours ago   
DL Hall  • SP  •  Brewers

DL Hall To Be Shut Down For A Few More Weeks With Lat Injury

Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy said on Wednesday during his first media session of spring training that left-hander DL Hall (lat) is dealing with a lat injury and will be shut down from throwing for several more weeks. The Brewers were hoping that Hall would come to spring training to compete for a starting rotation spot in 2025, but the 26-year-old southpaw's lat injury could force him back to a relief role after he finished the 2024 campaign in the bullpen. This doesn't mean that Hall won't make starts for the Brewers in 2025, but his most likely path to an Opening Day roster spot will now most likely be as a reliever. The former first-rounder struggled as a starter early last year before injuring his knee and finished with a 5.02 ERA and 1.60 WHIP with a career-high 44 K's and 21 walks in 43 innings over 13 outings (seven starts). Hall needs to get healthy before being considered a fantasy asset again in deeper leagues.
8 hours ago   
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