MLB Player News

The Cardinals claimed Ramos off waivers from Baltimore on Friday, asdFrancys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.

The Orioles acquired Ramos from the White Sox via trade Sunday, but the 23-year-old infielder was designated for assignment by Baltimore on Wednesday. Ramos will now head to St. Louis after being claimed off waivers. Ramos appeared in just four big-league games with the White Sox in 2025, instead spending most of his time at Triple-A Charlotte, where he slashed .216/.309/.396 with 16 home runs and 13 stolen bases over 431 plate appearances. He'll likely provide organizational depth for the Cardinals.

Pauley may be the favorite to win the Marlins' starting job at third base over Connor Norby due to his superior defense, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

A platoon could also emerge between the lefty-swinging Pauley and the right-handed Norby if neither seizes the starting gig this spring. However, Pauley would seem to have the edge after recording six Outs Above Average last season, tied for fifth among third baseman, while seeing his offense pick up in the second half. Norby is also expected to get some work in the outfield during camp, which could signal a transition into a utility role. Pauley slashed a respectable .250/.367/.474 over 90 plate appearances after the All-Star break in 2025 with four homers, two steals and a sharp 14:15 BB:K.

Henderson worked out at Tinsley Performance this offseason with the goal of increasing his speed, Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner reports.

Henderson stole 30 bases in 2025 and ranked in the 79th percentile in sprint speed, but he believes he had room for improvement. Specifically, the 24-year-old has been working on his first few steps, staying more horizontal rather than getting too vertical too soon. Henderson had a disappointing 2025 season at the plate while playing through a shoulder impingement for much of the year, but he's fully healthy now and is a good bet to have a bounce-back showing in 2026.

Walls (sports hernia) appears to be in position to begin the season as Tampa Bay's top shortstop, per Adam Berry of MLB.com.

With spring training on the horizon, Walls is set to compete primarily with top prospect Carson Williams for everyday reps at shortstop. Walls is coming off sports hernia surgery, which ended his 2025 campaign in August, so he'll need to prove he's healthy during Grapefruit League play as well. Even in a potential full-time role, the switch-hitting infielder could struggle for fantasy relevance after slashing just .220/.280/.319 with four home runs, 38 RBI, 36 runs scored and 14 stolen bases across 317 regular-season plate appearances (101 games) last year.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Tuesday that Smith will play some center field during spring training, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Smith learned right field on the fly last season and took surprisingly well to it, so the Astros will push him further to see if he can learn a more demanding position. Right field still represents Smith's best path to a starting job, but more opportunities could be afforded if he shows he can adequately handle center field. Smith slashed .236/.312/.358 with nine home runs and a 27.8 percent strikeout rate across 134 games during his rookie season.

The Astros and Paredes avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $9.35 million contract Tuesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. The deal includes a club option for 2027.

The deal is the midpoint of the figures that were exchanged last month. Paredes will have one more year of arbitration eligibility next offseason before reaching free agency the following winter. There's currently not a clear opening in Houston's everyday lineup for Paredes, who hit .254/.352/.458 with 20 home runs in 2025, but he remains a candidate to be traded.

The Angels signed Candelario to a minor-league contract Tuesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Candelario was released by the Reds last season after slashing just .113/.198/.213 over his first 22 games. He signed a minor-league deal with the Yankees after that but never got back to the majors. The Angels are lacking in third-base depth, giving Candelario a chance to see action with the big club at some point.

The Rays acquired Williamson from the Mariners on Monday as part of a three-team trade involving the Cardinals, Adam Jude of The Seattle Times reports.

Brendan Donovan is headed to Seattle as part of the deal. Williamson is a glove-first third baseman who slashed just .253/.294/.310 with one homer in 85 regular-season games for the Mariners in 2025. He is now stuck behind Junior Caminero in Tampa Bay, so Williamson could begin the 2026 campaign at Triple-A Durham.

Hayes is expected to remain the starting third baseman despite the Reds' signing free agent Eugenio Suarez on Sunday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

The organization reunited with Suarez, who played mostly third base for Cincinnati from 2015 to 2021 prior to being traded in March of 2022. Recognizing Hayes' value as a fielder -- he won a second Gold Glove at the hot corner in 2025 -- the Reds plan to deploy Suarez as the primary designated hitter while also giving him occasional starts at both corner infield spots.

The Orioles acquired Ramos from the White Sox in exchange for cash considerations Sunday, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.

Chicago DFA'ed Ramos this past week in order to make room for Seranthony Dominguez on the 40-man roster. Ramos spent the vast majority of the 2025 season at Triple-A Charlotte, where he slashed .216/.309/.396 with 16 home runs, 51 RBI, 60 runs scored, 13 stolen bases and a 42:96 BB:K across 431 plate appearances. The 23-year-old has struggled to a .198/.244/.333 slash line across 36 games at the big-league level. He'll provide organizational depth in Baltimore.