MLB Player News

The Angels signed Saucedo to a minor-league contract Wednesday that includes an invitation to big-league spring training.

Saucedo has posted a 4.36 ERA and 112:58 K:BB over 128 frames covering parts of five major-league seasons. The 32-year-old spent most of 2025 in the minors and faces an uphill battle to make the Opening Day roster, even in an unsettled Angels bullpen.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch indicated Wednesday on the Tiger Territory podcast that Jansen will open the season as the team's favorite to serve as closer.

Speaking about his high-leverage relief options, Hinch said, "I think they're all going to get saves," before adding that "I think we can pretty much guess how it's gonna go given that one of them has a historic number of saves." The latter comment was in reference to Jansen, who is 24 saves away from 500 for his career. It doesn't mean the 38-year-old will finish the 2026 season as the Tigers' closer, but it's a safe bet Jansen will open the year as Hinch's first choice to handle save opportunities. Will Vest and/or Kyle Finnegan would be next-in-line if Jansen slips up. Jansen's strikeout rate dipped to a career-low 24.4 percent in 2025 with the Angels, but he remained effective, posting a 2.59 ERA and 0.95 WHIP while notching 29 saves.

The White Sox designated Hudson for assignment Wednesday.

The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Austin Hays, whose signing was made official Wednesday. Hudson was a key reliever for the Brewers in 2024, but he regressed in 2025, spending much of the year in the minors and collecting a 4.80 ERA and 19:13 K:BB over 15 frames during his time at the big-league level. The 6-foot-8 lefty doesn't have minor-league options remaining, but his 1.73 ERA and 0.72 WHIP from 2024 could be enough to garner some interest on the waiver wire.

The Rangers signed Thompson (biceps) to a minor-league contract Tuesday.

Thompson permitted 14 earned runs over just 10.2 innings in 2025 for the Nationals and also had a 6.61 ERA in the minors in his first season back from Tommy John surgery. He ended the 2025 campaign on the injured list with biceps tendinitis and it's unclear whether he'll have any restrictions at the beginning of spring training.

The Yankees designated Hamel for assignment Wednesday.

Hamel will be exiting a 40-man roster for the fourth time in under five months; he had previously been DFA'd by the Mets and Orioles in September and the Rangers in January. The Yankees will drop Hamel from the roster in order to clear room for outfielder Yanquiel Fernandez, who was claimed off waivers from the Rockies. The 26-year-old Hamel made his MLB debut last season in a Sept. 17 relief appearance with the Mets but otherwise spent the entire campaign at Triple-A Syracuse, where he turned in a 5.32 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 75:22 K:BB in 67.2 innings.

The Red Sox claimed Gasper off waivers from the Nationals on Wednesday.

Gasper broke into the majors with the Red Sox in 2024 before spending the 2025 campaign with the Twins. He's slashed only .133/.250/.195 in 58 games between the two stops, but Gasper offers unique versatility with the ability to play catcher, first base, second base and left field. Gasper has minor-league options remaining, so he could begin the upcoming season at Triple-A Worcester.

The Yankees claimed Fernandez off waivers from the Rockies on Wednesday.

After the Rockies designated him for assignment last week, Rodriguez was quickly able to find his way to a new organization. Rodriguez reached the majors for the first time in 2025 and slashed just .225/.265/.348 with a 29.9 percent strikeout rate over 147 plate appearances, but he's just 23 years old and brings plus raw power from the left side of the plate. Barring multiple injuries to other outfielders coming out of spring training, the Yankees likely won't have room for Rodriguez on their Opening Day roster, but his power upside makes him an intriguing flier for New York at the back end of the 40-man roster.

Taylor has a goal of reaching 100 innings in 2026, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

The White Sox will deploy Taylor as a reliever this season before transitioning him back to a starting role in 2027. He threw a total of 63.1 innings in 2025 between the majors and minors, which was a career high after he dealt with numerous injuries in previous seasons. Many of Taylor's appearances in 2026 could come in long relief since that's the best way to build his workload, but the White Sox haven't ruled out giving him some high-leverage opportunities, as well. It's a role that might not lead to much fantasy value during the upcoming season, but Taylor's upside remains high.

The Tigers have extended McGonigle an invitation to big-league camp during spring training.

Fellow top prospects Max Clark, Max Anderson and Jose Briceno, among others, will also be in major-league camp. Arguably the top prospect in all of baseball, McGonigle is an extremely advanced hitter at just 21 years of age, having slashed .305/.408/.583 with 19 home runs, 10 stolen bases and a 59:46 BB:K across 88 games covering three levels in 2025. He can handle shortstop, second base and third base, and it's at shortstop where the left-handed batter has the clearest opening for playing time with the big club. The Tigers might not be ready to carry McGonigle on their Opening Day roster, but he should make an impact at some point during the 2026 season.

Henderson worked out at Tinsley Performance this offseason with the goal of increasing his speed, Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner reports.

Henderson stole 30 bases in 2025 and ranked in the 79th percentile in sprint speed, but he believes he had room for improvement. Specifically, the 24-year-old has been working on his first few steps, staying more horizontal rather than getting too vertical too soon. Henderson had a disappointing 2025 season at the plate while playing through a shoulder impingement for much of the year, but he's fully healthy now and is a good bet to have a bounce-back showing in 2026.