MLB Player News

The Rays have extended Hopkins an invitation to big-league camp in spring training, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Hopkins was excellent at Double-A Montgomery this past season, collecting a 2.72 ERA and 141:60 K:BB over 116 innings. He has some of the best stuff of any pitching prospect in baseball and could become a legitimate ace if he's able to throw enough strikes. Hopkins isn't going to break camp with the big club, but there's a good chance he will debut at some point in 2026.

Bradford (elbow) could begin a rehab assignment around Opening Day, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com. Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young indicated that May is the target for the left-hander's return.

Bradford, who recently threw a bullpen session, missed all of 2025 after sustaining an elbow injury during spring training that required an internal brace procedure in June. He showed promise in 2024, posting a 3.54 ERA over 76.1 innings, but missed months due to back and rib injuries. Texas bolstered its rotation during the offseason with the acquisition of MacKenzie Gore from the Nationals and may not have a spot in the rotation for Bradford upon his return. Beyond the top three of Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi (groin) and Gore, other candidates for the back end of the rotation include Jack Leiter, Kumar Rocker, Jacob Latz, Austin Gomber and Cal Quantrill .

Quantrill signed a minor-league deal with the Rangers on Thursday, which includes an invitation to spring training, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Quantrill closed the 2025 season in the Rangers' organization, making two starts at Triple-A Round Rock. He looks unlikely to break camp in the rotation after posting a 6.04 ERA over 26 appearances between Atlanta and Miami last year, but he could make an impact at some point in the new campaign.

Teng was traded from the Giants to the Astros in exchange for a minor-league player on Thursday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Teng has experience as both a reliever and starter in the majors, and he worked primarily out of the Giants' rotation toward the end of the 2025 season. He still has two minor-league options remaining, so there's a strong chance Teng begins the season with Triple-A Sugar Land. However, he should contribute to the big-league club at some point in 2026.

France was designated for assignment by the Astros on Thursday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

France missed most of the 2025 season while recovering from a torn right shoulder capsule. He returned to throw four innings out of the bullpen late in the year, but he'll now have to battle for a roster spot during spring training.

Morgan signed a minor-league contract, which includes an invitation to spring training, with the Royals on Thursday.

Morgan had a few strong seasons in Cleveland, but struggled with both injuries and his performance as a member of the Cubs in 2025. If he regains his past form, he could have a path to a spot in the Royals' bullpen to begin the new campaign.

Basallo said at the Orioles' recent Birdland Caravan fan event that he's lost around 15 pounds this offseason, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Listed at 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds, Basallo could afford to slim down a bit without sacrificing the massive power that's helped propel him to being one of the most exciting young hitters in baseball. The 21-year-old is locked into an Opening Day roster spot after signing an eight-year, $67 million contract extension six days into his big-league career. Where the playing time will come from is less of a sure thing, as the Orioles have Adley Rutschman at catcher and Pete Alonso at first base. Settling in at designated hitter is Basallo's most likely path, but he will get starts in the field, as well.

The Angels designated Bido for assignment Thursday.

Bido began the offseason with the Athletics but has since been claimed and waived by Atlanta, Tampa Bay, Miami and now the Angels. The 30-year-old finished 2025 with a 5.87 ERA and 1.61 WHIP over 79.2 innings and could be used as a long reliever in the big leagues if he gets claimed again. Otherwise, he'll report to Triple-A Salt Lake to begin the year.

The Yankees traded Sandridge to the Angels on Thursday in exchange for cash.

Sandridge was DFA'd by the Yankees on Tuesday, but his move to the Angels will allow him to reclaim a 40-man roster spot. The 26-year-old was uninspiring during his MLB debut in July, giving up two earned runs in just two-thirds of an inning. He finished with a 4.55 ERA and 1.47 WHIP through 31.2 frames at Triple-A, however, and he could be used more frequently in the big leagues by an Angels squad that doesn't boast much bullpen depth. Osvaldo Bido was DFA'd in a corresponding move.

Wilson said earlier this month that adding strength has "been the main focus for the last couple of offseasons now," Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Wilson showed a little more pop than expected in 2025, slugging 13 home runs. Power is considered the weakest part of his offensive game, though, so he's working on adding a little bulk this winter. Still, fantasy managers should consider it a bonus if they get double-digit home runs out of Wilson again in 2026, as he is most likely to provide an elite batting average but not much else.