MLB Player News

The Nationals signed Rosario to a one-year, $2 million contract Wednesday.

All four of the Nationals' projected starting infielders bat left-handed, so the right-handed-hitting Rosario is a nice fit as someone who should play regularly against lefty pitchers. The 29-year-old sports a career .298/.337/.460 batting line versus southpaws and slashed .294/.325/.412 against them in 2024.

The Astros traded Kessinger to the Diamondbacks on Tuesday in exchange for Matthew Linskey, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The signing of Christian Walker caused Kessinger to lose his spot on Houston's 40-man roster in December, and he will now look to work his way back into the majors in the D-backs organization. The 27-year-old infielder owns just a .456 OPS through 70 career MLB plate appearances but slashed .262/.337/.388 over 67 Triple-A games last season. He'll most likely remain in the minors upon joining his new club.

Verlander signed a one-year, $15 million contract with the Giants on Tuesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Verlander battled shoulder and neck injuries in 2024, the latter of which he's hinted at returning too soon from and could have played a factor in him finishing the year with a 5.48 ERA and 1.38 WHIP over 90.1 innings -- easily the worst line of his illustrious career. Set to turn 42 in February, he's unlikely to approach numbers similar to his 2022 AL Cy Young campaign, though a full offseason of recovery could enable the veteran righty to return to form as a quality starter in 2025.

Atlanta signed Alvarez to a minor-league contract Monday.

Alvarez, who turns 35 later this month, got a cup of coffee with the Mets in 2024, going hitless in nine at-bats. The utility player has managed just a .170/.257/.244 batting line across parts of four major-league seasons.

With the Reds trading for Gavin Lux, the likelihood of McLain moving to center field increases, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer suggests.

The Reds made sure that McLain took some reps in center field during the Arizona Fall League in October and November. It's possible that Lux could move off second base -- either to the outfield or third base -- so it's not set in stone that McLain will move.

Marte might be at risk of a minor-league demotion to begin the 2025 season following the Reds' acquisition of Gavin Lux, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

After making a fantastic splash in the majors in 2023, Marte had a lost 2024 season, which started with him sustaining an injury in Winter League play and then serving an 80-game suspension for a positive PED test. Once he returned, he never got on track offensively or defensively, hitting just .210/.248/.301 in 229 at-bats. With Lux on the team, the Reds have to find spots for Matt McLain, Jeimer Candelario and Christian Encarnacion-Strand in addition to Marte, and it doesn't make sense for Marte to ride the bench instead of playing regularly in the minors.

The Padres re-signed Patino (elbow) to a minor-league contract Monday.

Patino was non-tendered by San Diego in November but returns to the organization as he continues his rehab from April 2024 Tommy John surgery. The right-hander is unlikely to be ready to pitch until around midseason.

Woodruff (shoulder) said Monday he's in a "really, really good spot" but is not sure he'll be ready for Opening Day, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Recovering from October 2023 surgery to repair the anterior capsule in his right shoulder, Woodruff began throwing off a mound in August and had been slated to face hitters in late September, but he wasn't physically ready so the pace of his rehab was slowed. However, the righty appears to have made significant progress since then and is throwing bullpen sessions twice per week. The next steps are for Woodruff to throw simulated innings and then face hitters. Next week, he will travel to the Brewers' pitching lab in Phoenix to get a status report on his stuff. While Woodruff is preparing to be ready by Opening Day, he's not able to say whether he'll reach that goal since he has many things to still check off his rehab to-do list. A clearer picture on the righty's timetable should be available during spring training.

Contreras was designated for assignment by the Reds on Monday, independent journalist Charlie Goldsmith reports.

This move will open up a spot on the 40-man roster for Gavin Lux, who was acquired from the Dodgers earlier in the day. Contreras was claimed by Cincinnati a few weeks ago and would be a candidate to begin the year at Triple-A Louisville if he goes unclaimed.

The Dodgers traded Lux to the Reds on Monday in exchange for Mike Sirota and a Competitive Balance Round A pick, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Lux had garnered trade interest from multiple teams during the offseason including the Yankees and Mariners, per Jon Morosi of MLB Network, and those rumors intensified after the Dodgers signed Hyeseong Kim to a three-year contract this past Friday. Lux could start at second base for the Reds if the club chooses to use Matt McLain in center field or other positions, or Lux himself might bounce around to multiple spots. Lux finished the 2024 regular-season with a slash line of .251/.320/.383 with 10 home runs and 50 RBI across 487 plate appearances.