MLB Player News

Estevez agreed to a two-year, $20.2 million contract with the Royals on Wednesday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

The deal also reportedly features a $13 million club option for 2027 with a $2 million buyout. Estevez is coming off the best year of his career, finishing 2024 with a 2.45 ERA and 0.91 WHIP through 55 regular-season innings while converting 26 saves between the Angels and Phillies. Now in Kansas City, the 32-year-old righty is likely to take over as the Royals' primary closer, which would push Lucas Erceg into a setup role.

The Tigers designated Faedo for assignment Wednesday, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Tommy Kahnle. Faedo made a full-time move to the bullpen in 2024, posting a 3.61 ERA and 55:28 K:BB over 57.1 innings. Not having minor-league options left could limit his appeal on waivers, but Faedo would be a depth upgrade for some teams.

The Tigers signed Kahnle to a one-year, $7.75 million contract Wednesday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Kahnle hasn't had a season where he avoided the injured list since 2019, and he threw a total of just 13.2 regular-season innings from 2020-22. However, the 35-year-old has been quite effective when on the bump, most recently holding a 2.11 ERA and 46:19 K:BB over 42.2 regular-season innings with the Yankees in 2024. The changeup specialist has no issues with splits and will be part of the late-inning mix in Detroit, which could include some save opportunities.

The Orioles agreed to terms with Mateo (elbow) on a one-year contract Tuesday with a club option for 2026 to avoid arbitration.

The deal is worth $3.55 million, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports. As for Mateo's injured left elbow, there is no update as he recovers from UCL reconstruction surgery on his non throwing arm. He may be limited in spring training, and as to how he will be used is up in the air. The utility player will have a conversation with the Orioles on how he will be utilized when spring training commences, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reported Dec. 9.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Tuesday in an interview on WFAN Sports Radio that Pereira (elbow) is healthy and will compete for a roster spot in spring training.

Pereira underwent an internal brace surgery on his right elbow in June, but it sounds like he's fully recovered and won't have any restrictions in spring training. While the Yankees could carry Pereira on the Opening Day roster as a reserve outfielder, the club might prefer that he plays every day at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Tuesday in an interview on WFAN Sports Radio that he has Chisholm penciled in at second base this season.

Chisholm played third base down the stretch this past season, but he's more familiar with second base and the Yankees have an opening there now with Gleyber Torres departing in free agency. Boone also mentioned Chisholm as a possible candidate to bat leadoff. DJ LeMahieu, Oswaldo Cabrera and Oswald Peraza are slated to compete for the third-base job, although it's possible the club will still bring in some help from outside the organization.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Tuesday in an interview on WFAN Sports Radio that he plans to play Bellinger in center field and Jasson Dominguez in left field this season.

The team didn't want to commit to a position for Bellinger when it traded for him last month, but the Yankees have since signed Paul Goldschmidt and have opted to keep Dominguez in left field. Boone did add that he expects Bellinger to move around to other positions at times on days when others fill the designated-hitter spot.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Tuesday in an interview on WFAN Sports Radio that he's likely to use Dominguez in left field and Cody Bellinger in center field this season.

Boone noted that Bellinger will move around to other positions a bit, as needed, while the skipper prefers to keep Dominguez in one spot. Dominguez -- who was mostly a center fielder in the minors -- had some gaffes in left field last season, but the Yankees are confident he'll be fine there with more experience. Boone also mentioned Dominguez as a potential candidate to bat leadoff, per Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News.

The Blue Jays signed Kloffenstein (shoulder) to a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to spring training Tuesday, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Kloffenstein missed the final two months of the 2024 season with a right shoulder injury and was non-tendered by the Cardinals even though he was not yet eligible for arbitration. It's not clear what his health status is, but the Blue Jays felt good enough about the righty to invite him to camp. Kloffenstein was dealt from Toronto to St. Louis at the 2023 trade deadline as part of the return for Jordan Hicks.

Brito could be a long shot to win the Guardians' second-base job, Joe Noga of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Manager Stephen Vogt spoke to reporters recently, and when asked about the second-base job, mentioned Brito fifth among the five names he brought up as being in the competition, with Gabriel Arias, Tyler Freeman, Angel Martinez and Daniel Schneemann being the others. While it doesn't necessarily mean Brito is indeed a long shot for the gig, it could indicate he won't be at the top of the pecking order heading into camp. Brito is the only one in the group without major-league experience, although he is on the 40-man roster. The 23-year-old slashed .256/.365/.443 with 21 homers and 13 steals in 2024 at Triple-A Columbus.