MLB Player News

Sanchez signed a one-year, $8.5 million contract with the Orioles on Saturday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Sanchez spent the 2024 season with the Brewers and was a decent source of power, popping 11 homers and maintaining a .172 ISO across 280 plate appearances. He should be locked into the backup job behind the plate while also potentially picking up a few extra starts at designated hitter.

O'Neill signed a three-year, $49.5 million contract with the Orioles on Saturday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

O'Neill enjoyed a resurgent campaign after moving to Boston in 2024, slashing .241/.336/.511 with 31 home runs and 61 RBI across 473 regular-season plate appearances. Much of the 29-year-old's success came versus southpaws, against whom he posted a 1.179 OPS in 156 trips to the plate. Now in Baltimore, O'Neill could slot in primarily at DH given his limited range and injury history while occasionally taking over in the corner outfield for Colton Cowser or Heston Kjerstad against left-handed starters.

Houser signed a minor-league contract with the Rangers on Saturday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

After posting a career-worst 5.84 ERA and 1.53 WHIP over 69.1 innings, Houser was cut by the Mets in late July. He spent time with the Orioles' and Cubs' Triple-A affiliates to finish off the regular season and will now head to Texas on his third minor-league contract in four months. Barring a significant turnaround, the 31-year-old righty will likely fill in as organizational depth at Triple-A Round Rock.

Bieber (elbow) agreed to a one-year, $14 million contract with the Guardians on Friday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Bieber's new deal also includes a $16 million player option for 2026. The 29-year-old righty was dominant in two starts last season, pitching 12 shutout innings while striking out 20 batters and walking one against the A's and Mariners, but his campaign was cut short by Tommy John surgery in mid-April. He's expected to miss the first couple months of the 2025 season while he finishes up his rehab, but the 2020 AL Cy Young Award winner could be a strong fantasy asset once he returns.

The Orioles outrighted Ward to Triple-A Norfolk on Friday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Ward was plucked off waivers from the Nationals in November. He is no longer on the Orioles' 40-man roster but will remain in the organization. The right-hander held a 5.64 ERA and 107:94 K:BB over 119.2 innings with Triple-A Rochester in 2024.

The Rays agreed to a one-year, $8.5 million contract with Jansen on Friday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Murray notes that Jansen turned down multi-year offers from other teams, preferring to bet on himself on a one-year pact after a down 2024 campaign which saw him put up a .658 OPS over 92 games between the Blue Jays and Red Sox. Injuries have been a problem for Jansen, whose career high in games (107) and plate appearances (384) was established back in 2019. However, he's been an above-average offensive catcher for most of his career, particularly from 2021-23 when he put up an .805 OPS.

Garcia (elbow) is expected to be ready for the start of spring training, MLB.com reports.

Garcia reported soreness in his right elbow while playing catch recently and an MRI revealed bone chips, which he had surgically removed Thursday. The Royals are calling the procedure "minor" and do not expect the infielder's availability for the beginning of spring training to be impacted. Garcia slashed .231/.281/.332 with seven home runs and 37 stolen bases for Kansas City during the 2024 regular season.

Garcia underwent surgery to remove bone spurs from his right elbow Thursday, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.

Garcia didn't spend any time on the injured list in 2024 and was available throughout the postseason, leaving it unclear when he suffered the injury. The Royals haven't commented as to whether Garcia's recovery will cost him any time during spring training or even regular season contests.

The Angels re-signed Teodosio to a minor-league contract Nov. 27.

Teodosio was non-tendered last month but will remain in the organization on a minor-league pact. The outfielder got his first taste of major-league action in 2024, picking up one hit in 12 plate appearances with the Halos.

The Athletics agreed to a three-year, $67 million contract with Severino on Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Per Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the deal includes an opt out after the second year. It's an unexpected landing spot for Severino, to say the least, as the $67 million guarantee is the largest in Athletics history. Severino held a 3.91 ERA and 161:60 K:BB over 182 innings across 31 regular-season starts for the Mets in 2024. The A's will play the 2025-27 seasons in Sacramento before moving to their permanent home in Las Vegas in 2028.