MLB Player News

Martin signed a one-year contract with Texas on Monday.

Martin will join the Rangers after turning in two solid years in Boston. He posted a 3.45 ERA and 1.13 WHIP with a 50:3 K:BB across 44.1 innings a season ago, picking up two saves along the way. Texas doesn't currently have many arms in the bullpen with closer experience, so a veteran like Martin could have a chance to nab a few saves in 2025 depending on how the rest of the offseason unfolds.

The Royals re-signed Lorenzen to a one-year, $5.5 million contract Monday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

The deal also includes a $12 million mutual option or $1.5 million buyout for 2026. Lorenzen, 33, collected a 3.31 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 97:60 K:BB over 130.1 innings between the Rangers and Royals in 2024. He'll presumably begin the 2025 season in Kansas City's rotation, which would leave Alec Marsh and Kris Bubic competing for one spot. Lorenzen had been hoping to be used at designated hitter early in the season with the goal of earning a two-way roster designation, but that appears to be out the window now.

Biggio agreed to a minor-league contract with the Royals on Sunday.

The 29-year-old spent time with three organizations in 2024 and elected free agency in November after Atlanta removed him from the 40-man roster. Biggio had a .798 OPS in his first two big-league seasons, but he's faltered to a .216/.325/.349 slash line over the past four years. He should serve as utility depth for Kansas City and isn't likely to be a significant contributor even if he makes the Opening Day roster.

The Orioles designated Pinto for assignment Friday, Danielle Allentuck of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

Baltimore claimed the 28-year-old off waivers in November to compete for the backup catcher spot, but he became expendable after the O's signed Gary Sanchez to a one-year deal in December. Pinto will forfeit his spot on the 40-man roster to make room for the newly signed Charlie Morton and once again hit the waiver wire. Pinto has slashed .231/.263/.404 with 32 RBI over 83 career games in the majors, all with the Rays.

The Orioles signed Morton to a one-year, $15 million contract Friday.

Morton finished the 2024 regular season having gone 8-10 over 30 starts for Atlanta with a 4.19 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 23.8 percent strikeout rate across 165.1 innings. Despite turning 41 last November, Morton has pitched at least 150 innings in four of the last five seasons and will join an Orioles' rotation that lost Corbin Burnes to the Diamondbacks in free agency.

Manoah (elbow) hopes to be ready to pitch for the Blue Jays in August, Mike Wilner of the Toronto Star reports.

Manoah underwent a hybrid internal brace procedure to repair the UCL in his right elbow last June. The plan calls for Manoah to throw bullpen sessions in March, face hitters in June and go out on a rehab assignment in July before rejoining the Blue Jays in August. If the righty is able to hit those markers, he could spend most of the final two months of the 2025 campaign in Toronto's rotation.

Grissom is the "nominal favorite" to open next season as the Red Sox' starting second baseman, Sean McAdam of MassLive.com reports.

David Hamilton was Boston's primary second baseman in the second half in 2024 before a fractured finger ended his season in late August. While Hamilton will also be in the running for the starting gig at the keystone in 2025, it sounds like the Red Sox want to give Grissom another look. Grissom slashed only .190/.246/.219 over 31 games with the big club in 2024 while battling numerous injuries, but he closed out the year strong at Triple-A Worcester and will turn just 24 this month. While Grissom might have a slight leg up at second base right now, it's also possible the Red Sox acquire help from outside the organization.

Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said earlier this week that the plan is to keep Rafaela in center field next season "as much as possible," Sean McAdam of MassLive.com reports.

Rafaela made 72 starts in center field, 71 starts at shortstop and four starts at second base in 2024. Center field is his best defensive position, and he will no longer be needed at shortstop, provided the Red Sox get a healthy season out of Trevor Story. The Red Sox have an opening at second base, but the club wants Rafaela to focus on one position, believing his production could have been affected in 2024 because he was bouncing around to different spots. There could be a potential outfield playing time crunch on the horizon, however, with Jarren Duran and Wilyer Abreu on the roster and top prospect Roman Anthony nearly big-league ready. Rafaela might see fewer starts at that point, or Boston could reconsider using him in the infield.

The Guardians signed Frias on Thursday to a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to spring training.

Frias, 26, battled a shoulder problem in 2024 and struggled during his 9.2 major-league innings, yielding 16 runs (15 earned) with a 12:7 K:BB. He's collected a 28.4 percent strikeout rate at the Triple-A level, so the Guardians felt Frias was worth a shot on a no-risk, minor-league pact.

The White Sox agreed to terms with Rojas on a one-year contract Thursday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

It's a good landing spot for playing time for Rojas, who should see close to everyday at-bats in Chicago between second base, third base and shortstop. The 30-year-old slashed just .225/.304/.336 with eight home runs and 10 stolen bases across 474 plate appearances for Seattle in 2024. If Rojas bounces back offensively in 2025, he's a likely trade candidate at the deadline.