MLB Player News

The Orioles claimed Contreras off waivers from the Yankees on Friday.

Contreras' journey via waivers continues. He's been claimed five times this offseason, and this is the second time he's been scooped up by the Orioles. The right-hander is out of minor-league options, so he will have to make Baltimore's Opening Day roster or be exposed to waivers again.

The White Sox signed Gray to a minor-league contract Friday that includes an invitation to spring training.

Gray, who turns 29 in March, has managed just a .495 OPS in limited action at the big-league level. He had a couple 30-homer seasons during his time with Triple-A Durham in the Rays organization and is going to a talent-deficient roster, so Gray could break camp with the White Sox.

The White Sox signed Drury to a minor-league contract Friday that includes an invitation to spring training.

Drury had a dreadful 2024 campaign, putting up a .469 OPS across 97 contests with the Angels. The 32-year-old slashed .262/.313/.495 with 54 home runs from 2022 to 2023, so some level of a bounce-back showing in 2025 seems plausible. Drury should have a decent chance of making the Opening Day roster with the White Sox.

The Twins designated Henriquez for assignment Friday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Minnesota needed to clear spots on its 40-man roster for the signings of Harrison Bader and Danny Coulombe. Henriquez, 24, has made 19 appearances at the major-league level, posting a 2.90 ERA and 24:8 K:BB over 31 innings. He does not have minor-league options remaining, which could limit his appeal on waivers.

The White Sox designated Wilson (shoulder) for assignment Friday.

The move frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for waiver claim Brandon Eisert. Wilson posted a 5.71 ERA and 34:26 K:BB over 34.2 innings with the White Sox in 2024 and missed much of the final two months of the season with back and shoulder problems. It's not clear if he's fully recovered ahead of camp.

The White Sox claimed Eisert off waivers from the Rays on Friday.

Eisert has now gone from the Blue Jays to the Rays to the White Sox since late January. The left-hander should have a good shot to win a spot in the Chicago bullpen, although he does have minor-league options remaining. Eisert allowed three runs over 6.2 frames during his brief time in the big leagues in 2024.

Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said Friday that the club will "continue to work" on signing Guerrero to a long-term contract extension, Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun reports.

It's not earth-shattering news but is at least a confirmation on Atkins' part that negotiations with his star player are ongoing. Guerrero said on the Spanish-language Abriendo El podcast in December that the Blue Jays' offer "was not even close to what we are looking for," and Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported in January that the two sides were at least $100 million apart. The 25-year-old Guerrero has said he will not discuss an extension during spring training, so the two sides have until Feb. 18 to work something out. It does not appear at this juncture that a deal is close.

The Blue Jays signed Whatley to a minor-league contract Friday that includes an invitation to spring training, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Whatley, 29, posted a .614 OPS with five home runs over 50 games at Triple-A Round Rock in the Rangers organization last season. He's merely an extra catcher in camp and will be assigned to a minor-league affiliate rather than break camp with the big club.

The White Sox outrighted DeLoach to Triple-A Charlotte on Friday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

DeLoach was removed from the 40-man roster earlier this week, but he will remain in the organization after passing through waivers unclaimed. The 26-year-old slashed .209/.293/.328 in 75 plate appearances with the big club in 2024.

Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said Friday that Rodriguez will compete for the fifth spot in the rotation during spring training, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

It makes sense for the club to keep Rodriguez stretched out in case someone else gets hurt, but the right-hander is pretty clearly sixth in the rotation pecking order heading into spring training following the addition of Max Scherzer. He still figures to be needed to start some games at some point, but Rodriguez is likely to begin the season in the bullpen if the Blue Jays' top five starters are healthy.