MLB Player News

Ballesteros has a clearer path to the Cubs' starting DH job as a result of the trade that sent Owen Caissie to the Marlins for Edward Cabrera, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Ballesteros acquitted himself quite well in 66 major-league plate appearances during the 2025 regular season, slashing .298/.394/.474 with two homers. His 13.6 BB rate and 18.2 K rate were particularly encouraging for a player making his debut as a 21-year-old. Ballesteros might get pushed into the strong-side of a platoon with Matt Shaw, who lost his starting third base job when the Cubs signed Alex Bregman.

Jones (elbow) said that he's throwing bullpen sessions twice a week as he continues to work through his rehab program, John Perrotto of PittsburghBaseballNow.com reports.

The right-hander is now about eight months removed from undergoing surgery to repair a torn UCL in his right elbow, and his return to mound work is an encouraging sign for his early-season availability in 2026. Jones should continue to slowly ramp up his intensity on the mound over the next couple months.

Daniel signed a minor-league contract with the Reds on Thursday.

The right-hander spent the 2025 campaign with Atlanta, making three appearances (two starts) in the majors. Daniel surrendered six earned runs over 10 frames in those outings and also struggled at Triple-A Gwinnett with a 5.51 ERA over 96.1 innings.

Kimbrel signed a minor-league contract with the Mets that includes an invitation to spring training, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Kimbrel spent time with Atlanta and Houston in 2025, appearing in 14 MLB games and posting a 2.25 ERA, a 1.42 WHIP and a 17:7 KBB across 12 innings. Entering his age-38 season, Kimbrel will get an opportunity with the Mets, but he may need a strong showing during spring training in order to earn a place on the Opening Day roster.

Taylor signed a minor-league contract with the Padres on Saturday that includes an invitation to spring training, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Taylor elected free agency Friday after being outrighted by the Mariners, and he'll now attempt to carve out a role for himself with the Padres. The 27-year-old carries just a .532 OPS through 83 career plate appearances in the majors, but he slashed .296/.378/.461 with 86 RBI, 124 runs scored and 44 steals over 137 games at Triple-A Tacoma in 2025.

Darvish (elbow) is considering retiring from professional baseball, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Darvish is slated to earn $46 million over the next three years, but after undergoing UCL repair surgery in November that will cause him to miss all of 2026, the 39-year-old's future in MLB is uncertain. Injuries have limited him to just 31 big-league starts over the past two regular seasons, during which he's turned in a 4.28 ERA and 1.12 WHIP across 153.2 total innings.

The Reds signed Misiewicz to a minor-league contract Friday that includes an invitation to spring training.

Misiewicz made five appearances for the Twins this past season, yielding five runs with a 5:4 K:BB over 4.2 frames. The bulk of his year was spent at Triple-A St. Paul, where he held a 3.82 ERA and 30:11 K:BB across 33 innings. Misiewicz will compete for a bullpen job in Cincinnati, but the southpaw is likely ticketed for the Triple-A Louisville bullpen.

The Phillies have extended Crawford an invitation to big-league camp during spring training.

The decision comes as no surprise, as Crawford -- while not yet on the 40-man roster -- is expected to open the 2026 season as the Phillies' primary center fielder. He slashed .334/.411/.452 with seven home runs and 46 stolen bases at Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2025 and is heading into his age-22 season.

The Phillies have extended Miller an invitation to big-league camp during spring training.

It's the second straight year with a big-league camp invite for Miller, who slashed .264/.392/.433 with 14 home runs, 59 stolen bases and an 82:123 BB:K over 116 games between Double-A Reading and Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2025. The 21-year-old has only played shortstop in pro ball and Trea Turner has that position locked down with the major-league club, so Miller is likely to return to Lehigh Valley to begin the 2026 season.

The Phillies re-signed Mayza to a minor-league contract Friday that includes an invitation to spring training.

Mayza finished last season with the Phillies, putting up a 3.78 ERA and 15:5 K:BB over 16.2 regular-season frames between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. The veteran left-hander will compete for a spot in the Opening Day bullpen, but with Jose Alvarado and Tanner Banks locks for the roster and Kyle Backhus also around, Mayza is a good bet to begin the year at Triple-A Lehigh Valley.