MLB Player News
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Jeff McNeil 2B | ATH
Mets' Jeff McNeil: Underwent thoracic outlet surgery
McNeil's agent, Garrett Parcell, has revealed that his client underwent thoracic outlet surgery shortly after the conclusion of the regular season, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.
Parcell said that McNeil already has good range of motion and is expected to participate fully in spring training. Thoracic outlet surgery is a much more serious operation for pitchers, but Parcell did note that the issue caused McNeil discomfort with his swing late in the season. McNeil had a .514 OPS in September after posting an OPS no lower than .742 in any other month. The 33-year-old is tentatively projected to open the 2026 season as the Mets' second baseman, though he offers the versatility to play other positions, if needed.
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Tommy Edman 2B | LAD
Dodgers' Tommy Edman: Ankle surgery scheduled
Edman will undergo surgery on his right ankle sometime next week, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Edman has dealt with ankle trouble multiple times within the past couple of years, and he'll now elect to go under the knife in order to properly address the issue. General manager Brandon Gomes said the team expects Edman to be ready for the start of spring training, so the 30-year-old's availability for Opening Day likely won't be affected.
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David Fletcher 2B | ATL
David Fletcher: Retires from professional baseball
Fletcher has retired from professional baseball, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
Fletcher last played in the big leagues in April 2024, having spent the 2025 campaign mostly at Triple-A Gwinnett in the Atlanta organization. The 31-year-old will retire with a career .276/.323/.358 batting line over parts of seven major-league seasons.
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Connor Kaiser SS | KC
Royals' Connor Kaiser: Lands with Royals
Kaiser signed a minor-league contract with the Royals on Saturday.
Kaiser entered free agency after being outrighted by the Diamondbacks on Wednesday, and it didn't take long for him to land elsewhere. The 28-year-old finished the Triple-A season with a .236/.345/.406 slash line over 273 plate appearances, and he'll most likely report to Triple-A Omaha to begin the 2026 campaign.
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Ildemaro Vargas 3B | ARI
Ildemaro Vargas: Heads to free agency
Vargas elected free agency Thursday.
Vargas recorded 121 plate appearances with the Diamondbacks in 2025 but lost his roster spot as the team had to move several players onto the 40-man roster. His defensive utility should help him land another contract for 2026, though he's hardly guaranteed to net a big-league deal.
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Will Wilson SS | SEA
Guardians' Will Wilson: Booted from 40-man roster
Wilson was outrighted to Triple-A Columbus by the Guardians and elected free agency Thursday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.
Wilson made his big-league debut and picked up 91 plate appearances with Cleveland in 2025 before finishing the campaign with Columbus. He had only a .511 OPS for the Guardians and will now look for another opportunity around the league.
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David Fletcher 2B | ATL
David Fletcher: Atlanta declines option
Atlanta declined Fletcher's $8 million club option for 2026 on Thursday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
Fletcher hasn't appeared in a big-league game since April 2024, so it doesn't come as much of a surprise that Atlanta decided to pass on giving him $8 million in 2026 and instead pay him a $1.5 million buyout. The 31-year-old will attempt to rely on his defense to attract a minor-league deal in the offseason, though his .483 OPS in Triple-A may drive his demand down.
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Gleyber Torres 2B | DET
Gleyber Torres: Tigers extend qualifying offer
The Tigers tendered a one-year, $22.05 million qualifying offer to Torres (groin) on Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Torres underwent surgery in late October to repair a sports hernia on his left side, but he should be fully healthy well before spring training. The infielder turns 29 in December, and he could decline the qualifying offer in search of a multi-year deal. Torres slashed .256/.358/.387 with 16 home runs, 79 runs and 74 RBI during the 2025 regular season.
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Rafael Lantigua 2B | TOR
Rafael Lantigua: Becomes free agent
Lantigua cleared waivers Thursday and elected free agency.
Lantigua spent a brief period of time with the Phillies in 2025 but never appeared in an MLB game. He played in 125 games at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, however, where he slashed .231/.357/.331 with seven homers, 57 RBI, 82 runs scored and 17 stolen bases. The 27-year-old has yet to make his big-league debut and will likely have to settle for another minor-league deal in free agency.