MLB Player News

Gamel signed a one-year, $1.2 million contract with the Astros on Wednesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Gamel joined the Astros last August via waivers, after which he slashed .259/.377/.362 with four RBI and 13 runs scored in 20 games before a fractured left fibula put an early end to his season in mid-September. The 32-year-old will look to earn a spot on Houston's Opening Day roster during spring training, likely competing with Zach Dezenzo for a bench role.

Dingler and Jake Rogers appear set to split catching duties for the Tigers to begin the regular season, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Dingler made his MLB debut toward the end of 2024 and appeared in 27 games. He slashed just .167/.195/.310, but the 26-year-old impressed with his poise behind the plate defensively, and he now figures to take on a bigger role right out of the gates this season. The veteran Rogers still projects as the top option on the depth chart, but Dingler should see plenty of action and could receive more playing time as the season goes on, particularly if Rogers struggles or gets dinged up.

The Rangers signed Festa to a minor-league contract Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Festa was traded from the Rangers to the Cubs in January before electing free agency following his removal from Chicago's 40-man roster. Now he's back in Texas, where he posted a 4.37 ERA and 23:7 K:BB over 22.2 innings covering 18 appearances last season.

The Yankees designated Winans for assignment Wednesday.

The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Owen White, who was claimed off waivers. Winans was a waiver claim himself in late January and will now go through the process again.

The Yankees claimed White off waivers from the Reds on Wednesday.

White struggled at Triple-A Round Rock in the Rangers organization last season, posting a 5.64 ERA and 1.57 WHIP across 99 innings. He's just 25 and formerly a top prospect, though, so the Yankees felt he was worth a waiver claim. The righty is likely headed to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to begin the 2025 season.

The Yankees claimed Shewmake off waivers from the Royals on Wednesday.

Shewmake has now gone from the White Sox to the Royals and now to the Yankees via waivers since early January. The 27-year-old is just 8-for-64 at the plate during his brief time at the big-league level but has a good defensive reputation. Shewmake will likely begin the year at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

The Twins signed Bader to a one-year contract Wednesday that includes an mutual option for 2026, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

He'll be guaranteed $6.25 million, with up to $2 million more available in incentives, per Dan Hayes and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The Twins have an injury-prone center fielder in Byron Buxton and two left-handed-hitting corner outfielders in Trevor Larnach and Matt Wallner, so the right-handed-hitting Bader makes sense as an active fourth outfielder. Bader has a career .776 OPS against left-handed pitching and much of his playing time could come versus southpaws, provided Buxton is able to stay healthy.

The Orioles re-signed Vavra to a minor-league contract Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

Vavra finished last season in the Orioles organization after beginning the year in the minors with the Mariners. The 27-year-old has hit .254/.331/.304 in 159 plate appearances over parts of two seasons at the big-league level. He'll give Baltimore some utility depth at Triple-A Norfolk.

Holliday said last week that he's worked on improving his speed this offseason and is "trying to make that a priority, to be able to steal bases," Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Holliday added that he's been doing strength training, as well, and is "definitely as strong as I've ever been." The 20-year-old ranked in the 95th percentile in sprint speed in 2024 but stole only four bases in 60 games. Of course, he got on base at only a .255 clip, so Holliday will have to make strides at the plate before he can even think about running more. Holliday did steal 24 bases in 2023 in the minors, so the ability to be a factor on the basepaths seems to be there.

Burke has worked with a physical therapist this offseason in the hopes of increasing the durability of his arm, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Burke had an impressive big-league debut to close out the 2024 season, maintaining a 22:7 K:BB across 19 innings while allowing only three earned runs. That puts him in prime position to grab a rotation spot for the White Sox to begin 2025. Durability will be one key to securing the role, as Burke has been forced to work through right shoulder soreness for the past two seasons. Burke reported that he has felt good this offseason and also worked on getting comfortable with a two-seam fastball to complement the rest of his repertoire, which includes a four-seamer, curveball, changeup and slider.