MLB Player News

Sheets signed a minor-league contract with the Padres on Sunday that includes an invite to big-league spring training, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

The 28-year-old was non-tendered by the White Sox in November after he finished the 2024 campaign with a .233/.303/.357 slash line in 139 games. Sheets will provide some organizational depth at first base and in the corner outfield, with his clearest path to a roster spot likely being at designated hitter.

Brito (elbow) could be ready to pitch by the start of spring training and is an option for a spot in the Padres' starting rotation, per MLB.com.

Brito ended last season on the 60-day IL due to a right elbow strain, but the injury didn't require surgery. San Diego is optimistic that the right-handed hurler will be healthy and ready to throw by the time Cactus League play begins Feb. 21, and if that's the case, he could be among several pitchers competing for a spot at the back of the team's rotation. Brito was a part of the Padres' haul in the trade that sent Juan Soto to the Yankees, and he posted a 4.12 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 29:10 K:BB over 43.2 innings across 26 appearances -- all out of the bullpen -- during his first season in San Diego.

Musgrove (elbow) will work out with plyometric balls during spring training but isn't expected to start a throwing program until around midseason, per MLB.com.

Musgrove is recovering from the Tommy John surgery he underwent in October. While he'll be with the team and do some non-throwing workouts during spring camp, the fact that the veteran right-hander won't begin throwing until midseason emphasizes how far away he is from returning to game action. He will miss the 2025 season but could be a full-go for 2026 spring training.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Sunday that Scott will see the bulk of the save chances to begin the season, Jim Bowden of The Athletic reports.

GM Brandon Gomes said after Scott signed in January that the left-hander won't be Los Angeles' set closer, but it appears Roberts still envisions Scott as the lead option for the ninth inning. Despite Scott's four-year, $72 million contract, it could be a fluid situation throughout the season with the Dodgers also having Kirby Yates, Michael Kopech (forearm) and Blake Treinen in the high-leverage mix.

While Brown saw some time in the rotation last season, he could be a full-time bullpen option for the Cubs in 2025, Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic report.

Brown made 15 appearances for the Cubs last year, including eight starts, and posted a 3.58 ERA and 64 strikeouts across 55.1 innings. It's a small sample, but the 25-year-old flashed some potential, and he displayed a fastball that clocked in at an average of 96.5 mph. There's some belief that Brown's velocity could tick up if he shifts to a full-time bullpen role, which could make him an interesting weapon for Chicago. The righty will have to compete for a job in spring training, though he does have some intriguing upside heading into the season.

Richards was among 20 non-roster players invited to spring training by the Cubs on Friday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Richards joined the Cubs last month on a minor-league deal, and he will now officially participate in spring training, where he'll compete for a bullpen job. The righty compiled a 4.55 ERA and 1.21 WHIP across 65.1 innings for Toronto and Minnesota last season. If Richards does make the team, he'll likely have a low-leverage role and figures to be mostly off the fantasy radar.

Collier received an invite to major-league spring training, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Collier, who turned 20 during the offseason, batted .248/.355/.443 with 20 home runs and 74 RBI over 119 games at High-A Dayton in 2024. There was variance in his monthly splits, and the left-handed batter had trouble against southpaws (.174/.283/.312), but Collier showed his raw power and ability to homer to all fields.

Stewart (wrist) will be part of major-league camp in spring training, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Stewart, the 32nd overall pick in the 2022 draft, batted .279/.391/.454 with eight home runs and 46 RBI over 80 games at High-A Dayton in 2024. A July wrist injury prematurely ended his season. An advanced approach at the dish is Stewart's calling card; he has nearly as many walks (138) as strikeouts (139) and owns a 15.7 career strikeout rate during his stay in the minors. Stewart split his time evenly between second and third base at Dayton and is expected to open this season at Double-A Chattanooga.

Perez (elbow) threw a bullpen session Friday, working in his changeup along with fastballs, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

The young right-hander is aiming to rejoin the Marlins' rotation around the All-Star break after undergoing Tommy John surgery in April 2024. "I'll say I feel very good right now," Perez said after Friday's session. "I will say 75 percent, just to put it out there in a number. But we're doing very well, just getting better." Perez began playing catch last September, and so far his recovery is proceeding as planned. In his absence, Valente Bellozo, Max Meyer and Adam Mazur are the leading candidates to fill out the back of Miami's rotation.

Heyward agreed to terms on a contract with the Padres on Friday, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

Heyward got off to a rough start with the Dodgers last season, slashing just .208/.289/.393 across 197 plate appearances before being released by the team in late August. He was able to latch on with Houston and ended the regular season on a relatively positive note, going 12-for-55 with four homers and nine RBI over 24 regular-season games. Now in San Diego, the 35-year-old will likely form a platoon in left field with Connor Joe, who also signed a one-year pact with the Padres on Friday.