MLB Player News
-
Chris Martin RP | TEX
Rangers' Chris Martin: Back with Rangers
Martin (undisclosed) signed a one-year contract with the Rangers on Tuesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Martin was a key part of the Rangers' bullpen this past season, as he finished the year with a 2.98 ERA and 1.20 WHIP over 42.1 innings while adding two saves and 13 holds. Now committed to another year in Arlington, the 39-year-old righty will likely continue to work in a setup role ahead of closer Robert Garcia.
-
Mike Trout CF | LAA
Angels' Mike Trout: Playing some center field possible
Angels general manager Perry Minasian said recently that he's not ruling out Trout playing some center field in 2026, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
Trout was moved to right field at the beginning of the 2025 season, but he was a full-time designated hitter from late April on after suffering a bone bruise to his surgically repaired left knee. The three-time MVP has had a normal offseason and hopes to play the outfield in 2026, and Minasian said Trout is an option at all three outfield spots as well as DH. Trout's strikeout rate ballooned to 32 percent in 2025, but he made a late-season mechanical tweak and homered five times in his last seven games.
-
Tristan Peters LF | CHW
Rays' Tristan Peters: Cut from 40-man roster
The Rays designated Peters for assignment Tuesday.
The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Steven Matz, whose signing was made official Tuesday. Peters went 0-for-12 with seven strikeouts during his brief time with the Rays in 2025 and slashed .266/.355/.429 at Triple-A Durham. He stands a good chance of passing through waivers unclaimed.
-
Andrew Knizner C | SEA
Mariners' Andrew Knizner: Gets MLB deal from Seattle
The Mariners signed Knizner to a one-year contract Tuesday.
Knizner saw 88 plate appearances this past season with the Giants, putting up a .598 OPS. A career .211/.281/.316 hitter over parts of seven big-league seasons, Knizner is poised to open the 2026 season as the Mariners' backup catcher behind star Cal Raleigh.
-
Carlos Rodon SP | NYY
Yankees' Carlos Rodon: Resumes throwing program
Rodon (elbow) is in the second week of his throwing program, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.
Working his way back from surgery in mid-October to remove loose bodies and shave down a bone spur in his left elbow, Rodon most recently made 30 throws from 60-75 feet. The southpaw anticipates making some Grapefruit League starts, but he will begin the season on the injured list and isn't expected to make his regular-season debut for the Yankees until late April or early May.
-
Salvador Perez C | KC
Royals' Salvador Perez: Injures thumb in winter ball
Perez suffered a left thumb injury Sunday while playing in the Venezuelan Winter League, Al Son de la LVBP reports.
Perez posted a video on Instagram of himself working out and he didn't seem to be overly affected by the injury, so it seems to be a day-to-day situation that shouldn't affect his availability for spring training. The 35-year-old Perez has gone 6-for-29 with two home runs for Leones del Caracas in winter ball thus far.
-
Andrew Velazquez SS | NYY
Rangers' Andrew Velazquez: Gets MiLB deal from Rangers
The Rangers signed Velazquez to a minor-league contract Dec. 8.
Velazquez spent all of this past season at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in the Yankees organization, slashing .242/.304/.345 with five homers and 25 steals. A career .189/.244/.293 hitter over parts of six big-league seasons, Velazquez will give the Rangers some experienced infield depth at Triple-A Round Rock.
-
Yolmer Sanchez 2B | LAA
Angels' Yolmer Sanchez: Staying in LA
Sanchez signed a minor-league contract with the Angels on Dec. 8.
Sanchez will remain with the Angels after slashing .246/.357/.329 with four home runs, 36 RBI, nine stolen bases and 61 runs scored over 120 games at Triple-A Salt Lake in 2025. He's played exclusively at Triple-A for the least three seasons, and his last big-league appearance dates back to the 2022 campaign with the Red Sox.
-
Jake Bennett SP | BOS
Red Sox's Jake Bennett: Dealt to Boston
Bennett was traded from the Nationals to the Red Sox on Monday in exchange for Luis Perales, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Bennett pitched well during the 2025 season in his first year back since Tommy John surgery, posting a 2.56 ERA and 1.13 WHIP with 33 strikeouts across 45.2 innings at Double-A. He's yet to pitch above the Double-A level, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see him begin the 2026 campaign in Portland now that he's joined Boston's farm system. Chief baseball officer for the Red Sox, Craig Breslow, is clearly high on the southpaw. "We feel like Bennett is a high probability starter that excels in some things that are hard to teach," said Breslow, per Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com. "Fastball playability driven by above average extension and strike throwing ability. His whiff rates and ability to manage hard contact have us confident in his ability to be a major league starter."
-
Justin Bruihl RP | CLE
Blue Jays' Justin Bruihl: Removed from 40-man roster
The Blue Jays designated Bruihl for assignment Monday.
The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Tyler Rogers, whose signing was officially announced Monday. Bruihl made 15 appearances out of Toronto's bullpen in 2025, collecting a 5.27 ERA and 18:7 K:BB across 13.2 frames. The southpaw has been outrighted previously, so he would have to approve an outright assignment by the Blue Jays.