MLB Player News

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.

Sanchez signed a minor-league contract with the Angels on Tuesday that includes an invitation to spring training.

Sanchez spent all of last season with the Mets' Triple-A affiliate, slashing .229/.348/.396 with 52 RBI across 399 plate appearances. The 32-year-old infielder hasn't appeared in an MLB game since 2022 and will likely remain an organizational depth piece for the Angels.

While he will compete for a regular rotation spot during spring training, Hurter and Kenta Maeda may end up splitting bulk-relief duties, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

With the Tigers recently adding Jack Flaherty to the mix, they now have a surplus of starting options. Flaherty, Tarik Skubal and Reese Olson all figure to be locked into the rotation. Behind them, Detroit has the likes of Hurter, Alex Cobb, Jackson Jobe, Casey Mize and Keider Montero. With the exception of Jobe, who made his MLB debut toward the end of last year and appeared in just two regular-season contests, all of the other pitchers started games in 2024. The veteran Cobb should snag a rotation spot in the early going, which leaves plenty of players vying for one role. Jobe has the most upside of the bunch and could run away with the job if he impresses, though manager A.J. Hinch may mix and match and use some pitchers in bulk relief. The lefty Hurter and righty Maeda could be a natural pairing in that scenario, with the two potentially working together in some contests.

The Blue Jays designated Petersen for assignment Tuesday, Scott Mitchell of TSN.ca reports.

Petersen was claimed off waivers from Miami early in the offseason, but the Blue Jays will now move on from him in order to create a roster spot for Max Scherzer. Petersen, 30, allowed 13 earned runs in 19.2 innings between the Dodgers and Marlins last season, but a 1.64 ERA across 33 Triple-A frames could capture the attention of bullpen-needy clubs browsing the waiver wire.

The Rangers signed Ahmed to a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to major-league spring training Tuesday.

Ahmed, 34, spent the 2024 campaign splitting action with the Giants, Dodgers and Padres. A glove-first middle infielder, Ahmed slashed .229/.267/.295 with two home runs and 17 runs batted in across 71 regular-season games last year. The veteran will look to win a job behind Marcus Semien, Corey Seager (hip/hernia) and Josh Smith in the middle of the Rangers' infield this spring.

The Orioles designated Vazquez for assignment Tuesday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Baltimore acquired Vazquez from the Cubs in exchange for cash considerations just five days ago, but he's now out of a 40-man roster spot after the Orioles signed Ramon Laureano to a one-year contract Tuesday. Vazquez appeared in 11 games for the Cubs last season, slashing .083/.143/.083 across 14 plate appearances.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Tuesday that Altuve has been working out in left field for the last two weeks, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Altuve would move to left field if the Astros re-sign Alex Bregman, but it sounds like he might see some action in the outfield whether Bregman is brought back or not. Espada added that while he won't commit to how many games Altuve will play in the outfield, it's "something that we are looking at to create some flexibility." Altuve, 34, has never played the outfield either at the major- or minor-league level. Adding outfield eligibility would give him a boost in fantasy value.

The Orioles signed Laureano to a one-year, $4 million contract Tuesday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Laureano had a strong finish to the 2024 season, slashing .296/.327/.505 with 10 home runs over 67 regular-season games with Atlanta. The 30-year-old is the fourth right-handed or switch-hitting outfielder the Orioles have acquired this offseason, joining Daz Cameron, Tyler O'Neill and Dylan Carlson. Laureano should draw plenty of playing time versus left-handed pitching.

The Yankees re-signed Hill to a one-year, $2.5 million contract Tuesday that includes a $3 million club option for 2026, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

The buyout on the option is $350,000, so Hill will be guaranteed at least $2.85 million. Hill was released by the White Sox last June after putting up a 5.87 ERA and 13:10 K:BB over 23 innings. However, he quickly latched on with the Yankees and posted a 2.05 ERA and 1.02 WHIP over his final 44 regular-season innings before allowing just one earned run over 10 playoff appearances. The southpaw reliever should get some high-leverage work for the Yankees.