MLB Player News

Amaya (ankle) said his body feels "100 percent, good to go" heading into the World Baseball Classic and the regular season, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Amaya had an injury-riddled 2025 campaign, with a sprained ankle in mid-August ultimately shutting him down. Before that, the catcher missed about two and a half months due to an oblique strain. Overall, Amaya managed to appear in only 28 games for the Cubs. He said he feels recovered now, and the backstop is prepared to play for Panama in the upcoming WBC as a ramp-up to the regular season. The 26-year-old did muster a career-best .814 OPS last year despite the injuries, and if he can stay healthy, he figures to split time behind the plate with Carson Kelly in 2026. While the arrangement could limit Amaya's ceiling, he still has the offensive talent to take a step forward from a fantasy perspective, particularly if Kelly slumps or gets hurt.

Lee will make $2.2 million in 2026 after winning his arbitration hearing with Atlanta on Tuesday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

The club had filed for $2 million, but Lee will be awarded an extra $200,000 after posting a 3.29 ERA and 0.98 WHIP across 68.1 frames last season. Raisel Iglesias figures to remain the go-to option for saves in Atlanta, but Lee should receive plenty of high-leverage opportunities after posting a 10.0 K/9 in 2025 and tallying a career-high 19 holds.

Wright signed a minor-league contract with the Cubs on Tuesday and received an invitation to spring training, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Wright made eight appearances in the Royals' farm system last year while working his way back from an oblique injury, finishing with a 5.48 ERA and 1.57 WHIP across 23 innings between Double-A and Triple-A. The 30-year-old will now get to show the Cubs what he can do when fully healthy this spring, but he's likely destined to begin the year at Triple-A Iowa.

The Nationals placed Williams (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Tuesday.

The move frees a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Andre Granillo, who was acquired via trade from the Cardinals. Williams underwent an internal brace surgery on his right elbow last July and will sidelined for at least the first two months of the season while he continues his rehab.

Stephenson will earn $6.8 million in 2026 after winning his arbitration hearing against the Reds, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The two sides went to a hearing despite just a $250,000 difference in their submitted arbitration figures, and the three-person panel ultimately picked Stephenson's filing. Stephenson put up a .737 OPS with 13 home runs over 88 regular-season contests for the Reds this past season and will be their top catcher again in 2026. He is slated to reach free agency next offseason.

The Nationals acquired Granillo from the Cardinals on Tuesday in exchange for George Soriano, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Granillo broke into the big leagues in 2025 with a 4.71 ERA and 18:7 K:BB over 21 innings. The 25-year-old has a career 31.9 percent strikeout rate in the minors but has also walked batters at a 12.7 percent clip. Granillo will compete for a spot in the Nationals' bullpen but does have minor-league options remaining.

The Cardinals acquired Soriano from the Nationals on Tuesday in exchange for Andre Granillo, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Soriano has been bouncing around via waivers this offseason and is now joining his fifth organization of the winter. The right-hander is out of minor-league options, so he's a good bet to open the season in the Cardinals' bullpen. Soriano holds a career 5.95 ERA and 117:55 K:BB across 118 innings at the big-league level.

Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said Tuesday that the team is targeting early May for Minter's (lat) season debut, Max Goodman of NJ.com reports.

Minter will get a late start to the season after undergoing left lat surgery last May. It's not clear where the veteran reliever is at in his throwing program, but he will be slow-played during spring training before eventually going out on a rehab assignment. Once healthy, Minter will fill a setup role ahead of closer Devin Williams.

Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said Tuesday that Soto will move to left field this season, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Though he has predominately played right field in his career, Soto was a full-time left fielder as recently as 2023, so it should not be a difficult transition. Soto finished last among qualifiers with a minus-12 Outs Above Average in right field last season. Stearns mentioned Carson Benge, Brett Baty, Tyrone Taylor and MJ Melendez as potential candidates to start in right field for the Mets in 2026.

Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said Tuesday that Lindor (elbow) is being evaluated for a possible stress reaction in his left hamate bone and could require surgery, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

If an operation is needed, Lindor would need six weeks to recover. In that instance, Stearns said it's possible Lindor would be ready in time for Opening Day, but it would be a tight window given that the Mets' opener is just over six weeks away. Lindor is also coming back from a right elbow debridement procedure that he had last October, one from which he seems to be fully recovered. If Lindor gets a late start to the season, the Mets could slide Bo Bichette over to shortstop and install Brett Baty at third base.