MLB Player News

Manager John Schneider revealed Tuesday that Francis is undergoing UCL reconstruction surgery on his right elbow and will miss the 2026 season, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

Francis dealt with a right shoulder impingement during the 2025 season that landed him on the injured list in June. He was able to commence a throwing program in August after some prior setbacks and had managed to face hitters during live batting practice. However, with the right-hander set for Tommy John surgery, he may not pitch in a game for 12 to 18 months.

Manager John Schneider said Tuesday that Santander will undergo left labral surgery Wednesday and will miss roughly 5-6 months, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Santander was limited to just 54 regular-season games last year while battling injuries in his left shoulder and back. He said earlier in the offseason that he was feeling much better but later suffered a setback in January while ramping up his hitting progression, per Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca. The 31-year-old's recovery timeline leaves room for him to return before the end of the regular season, though that isn't likely to happen until after the All-Star break. With Santander out, the Blue Jays will likely rely on Nathan Lukes and Davis Schneider to start in left field for the first half of the season.

Joe agreed to a minor-league contract with the Mariners on Tuesday that includes an invite to big-league spring training.

Joe split last season between San Diego and Cincinnati, posting a .186/.262/.243 slash line in 42 games before being outrighted off the Reds' 40-man roster in August. The 33-year-old offers some defensive versatility but is likely a longshot to make Seattle's Opening Day roster.

Manager Kurt Suzuki confirmed Tuesday that Detmers (elbow) is viewed as a lock for the Angels' Opening Day rotation, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Though Detmers found some success while working as a full-time reliever in 2025 (3.08 xFIP, 20.7 K-BB% in 63.2 innings), Angels general manager Perry Minasian said back in October that the left-hander earned another opportunity to prove he belongs in the rotation. Detmers apparently won't even need to earn his spot in the rotation with a strong showing in spring training; in addition to Detmers, Suzuki said that Yusei Kikuchi and Jose Soriano are also locked in as starters heading into the start of camp, while Grayson Rodriguez (elbow) will clinch a spot if he emerges from the spring healthy. Though he didn't pitch over the final weeks of this past season after experiencing elbow inflammation, Detmers didn't require offseason surgery and looks like he'll be 100 percent at the onset of camp.

Slater agreed to a minor-league contract with the Tigers on Tuesday that includes an invite to big-league spring training, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Slater split the 2025 campaign between the White Sox and Yankees, and he posted a .216/.270/.372 slash line with five homers in 160 plate appearances during the regular season. The 33-year-old best fits as a short-side platoon player in the outfield, and he could carve out that role in a Detroit outfield that's heavy on left-handed bats.

Angels manager Kurt Suzuki said Tuesday that Manoah will have to earn his place in the starting rotation, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

The 26-year-old joined the Halos on a one-year, $1.95 million contract in December, but he was never likely to have much in the form of guaranteed playing time after spending most of 2025 rehabbing from UCL surgery. Manoah should still be the favorite to win a job at the back end of Anaheim's rotation, given the club's other starting options.

Angels manager Kurt Suzuki indicated Tuesday that Rodriguez (elbow) will have to prove he's healthy and earn his place in the starting rotation, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander was acquired from the Orioles in November, but the Angels won't immediately guarantee him a spot in the starting rotation. Rodriguez was sidelined all of 2025 due to lat and elbow injuries and has had his fair share of health issues throughout his career. The 26-year-old seems likely to make the rotation if he can stay healthy, but that's hardly a given for the former top prospect.

Manager Kurt Suzuki said Joyce (shoulder) is playing catch, but it remains to be seen if the right-hander will be ready by Opening Day, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

The 25-year-old made just five appearances in 2025 due to shoulder issues, which necessitated surgery to repair a torn labrum in May. It's encouraging that Joyce has started up a throwing program, but he'll require a significant ramp-up period while coming back from major surgery. Once healthy, he could be part of the closer mix for the Angels, along with Robert Stephenson and Kirby Yates.

Verlander agreed to a one-year, $13 million contract with the Tigers on Tuesday, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

The veteran right-hander spent the 2025 campaign in San Francisco, finishing the season with a 3.85 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 137:52 K:BB across 152 innings. Verlander is now coming back to Detroit, where he won Rookie of the Year, an MVP and a Cy Young Award across the first 13 seasons of his big-league career. He'll turn 43 years old on Feb. 20 and will help round out a Tigers rotation headlined by Tarik Skubal and Framber Valdez.

Manager Alex Cora announced Tuesday that Crochet will start Opening Day against the Reds on March 26, Sean McAdam of MassLive.com reports.

It's hardly a surprise the left-hander will be taking the mound first for Boston, and Cora wasted no time making it official. Crochet entrenched himself as one of the best pitchers in baseball last year, posting a 2.59 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 255:46 K:BB across 205.1 innings during the regular season.