MLB Player News

The Blue Jays signed Stefanic to a minor-league contract Wednesday, Nate Heisler of Klutch Sports reports.

Stefanic elected free agency after being outrighted off the Angels' 40-man roster in October. The 28-year-old has slashed just .232/.317/.275 over parts of three big-league seasons and will likely begin 2025 as a utility infielder at Triple-A Buffalo.

The Orioles signed Jackson to a minor-league contract Monday, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

Jackson played in 121 games with Double-A Binghamton in 2024, batting .206 with 19 home runs, 61 RBI, 49 runs scored and 11 stolen bass as a member of the Mets organization. He will now get a shot to prove himself with Baltimore ahead of the 2025 campaign.

The Orioles signed Barreto to a minor-league contract Monday, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

Barreto played in 29 games with Triple-A Rochester in 2023, batting .202 with seven home runs, 15 RBI, 17 runs scored and two stolen bases over 99 at-bats. He spent the 2024 season with the Diablos Rojos del Mexico, producing a .343 average with 16 home runs and 63 RBi over 76 games. Barreto will now look to make the most of his opportunity with Baltimore ahead of the 2025 season.

Ibanez agreed to a one-year, $1.4 million contract with the Tigers on Friday to avoid arbitration, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.

Ibanez took a step back during his second year with the Tigers, slashing .241/.295/.357 over 244 plate appearances during the regular season. However, the Tigers have deemed his performance worthy of a $633,900 raise from his previous salary. He's expected to remain in a utility role next year.

The Royals acquired India (ankle) and Joey Wiemer in exchange for Brady Singer on Friday.

India enjoyed a strong 2024 season with the Reds while serving as their primary second baseman. However, with Matt McLain and Christian Encarnacion-Strand back from injury, there was a projected playing time squeeze along Cincinnati's infield. India should immediately slot into the starting second base job with the Royals ahead of Michael Massey, and he could hit near the top of the order given his career .352 OBP.

Orioles general manager Mike Elias said Friday that Mateo (elbow) might not be fully recovered for the start of spring training, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

That contradicts what Elias said in October about Mateo's recovery from UCL reconstruction surgery on his left (non-throwing) elbow, although the revised timeline does not seem to be the result of a setback. Elias did add that he expected Mateo to be ready for close to a full 162-game schedule. The veteran infielder is slated for a utility role with the Orioles in 2025.

The Twins outrighted Severino to Triple-A St. Paul on Monday, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Severino is no longer on the 40-man roster but will stick around in the organization. He slashed .254/.342/.434 with 21 homers over 128 games this season with St. Paul.

The Rays exercised Lowe's $10 million club option for 2025 on Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

It's possible the Rays will look to trade Lowe as his salary escalates, but picking up the option was a fairly easy call. They also have an $11.5 million club option for 2026. Lowe slashed .244/.311/.473 with 21 home runs over 425 plate appearances for Tampa Bay this season.

Stefanic was outrighted to Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday.

Stefanic earned a career-high 124 plate appearances in 2024 but maintained just a .556 OPS with zero home runs. Depending on the Angels' offseason moves, Stefanic could be a depth option along the infield in 2025.

Lopez was outrighted to Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday.

Lopez appeared in the majors for the first time since 2021, picking up 71 plate appearances across the final six weeks of the regular season. He managed only a .629 OPS with a 35.2 percent strikeout rate, and he could now be looking for a new opportunity.