MLB Player News

The Nationals claimed Varland (undisclosed) off waivers from the Diamondbacks on Thursday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Varland didn't pitch during the final three months of the 2025 season due to an undisclosed injury, and it's unclear what his current health status is. The right-handed reliever has collected a 4.82 ERA and 47:24 K:BB across 46.2 frames covering parts of two major-league seasons.

The Rangers traded Fien to the Nationals on Thursday alongside Alejandro Rosario (elbow), Abimelec Ortiz, Devin Fitz-Gerald (shoulder) and Yeremy Cabrera in exchange for MacKenzie Gore, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

After being selected 12th overall in the 2025 First-Year Player Draft, Fien reported to the Rangers' Single-A affiliate and slashed .220/.267/.341 with seven RBI and four runs scored across 45 plate appearances. He's highly regarded for his hitting, power and arm, though it will likely be a few years before the 18-year-old infielder makes his MLB debut.

The Nationals signed Barrera to a minor-league contract Thursday that includes an invitation to spring training.

Barrera was drafted by the Nationals and broke into the big leagues with them. The 31-year-old catcher spent 2025 in the minors in the Rays organization and last saw action in the majors in 2023. Barrera will likely begin the 2026 season at Triple-A Rochester as catching depth.

Herrera (elbow) was cleared to begin a throwing program earlier in January and is expected to begin hitting and defensive drills this week, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Herrera underwent surgery in November to remove bone spurs from his right elbow, an injury that limited him to designated-hitter duty in the final few months of the 2025 season. The 25-year-old is expected to be ready to roll for the start of spring training. Herrera will attempt to return to the catching position in 2026, though Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol indicated that the team's evaluation of Herrera at catcher will likely continue into the regular season. For fantasy purposes, Herrera will enter 2026 as utility-eligible only, but he could regain catcher eligibility early on.

Atlanta re-signed Williams to a minor-league contract Jan. 18.

Williams elected free agency earlier in the offseason after being cast off Atlanta's 40-man roster, but he's found his way back into the organization on a minor-league pact. The 29-year-old has managed just a .212/.270/.280 batting line covering parts of five major-league seasons, but Williams will give Atlanta some utility depth.

The Mets designated Criswell for assignment Wednesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Criswell will end up as the roster casualty necessary to create space on the Mets' 40-man following the acquisition of Freddy Peralta and Tobias Myers from Milwaukee on Wednesday. Criswell made seven regular-season appearances with the Red Sox last year, during which he logged a 3.57 ERA and 1.58 WHIP across 17.2 innings. If he passes through waivers unclaimed, he will likely spend the majority of 2026 at Triple-A Syracuse with a chance to make an occasional appearance in the majors.

The Mets traded Sproat and Jett Williams to the Brewers on Wednesday in exchange for Freddy Peralta and Tobias Myers, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Sproat broke into the majors toward the end of the 2025 season, posting a 4.79 ERA and 1.21 WHIP to go with a 17:7 K:BB over 20.2 innings (four starts) with the Mets. The 25-year-old righty's chances of beginning 2026 in the Brewers' rotation increase with Peralta and Myers now out of the picture, though Sproat may still be more likely to open the campaign at Triple-A Nashville given Milwaukee's depth of rotation options.

The Mets traded Williams to the Brewers on Wednesday alongside Brandon Sproat in exchange for Freddy Peralta and Tobias Myers, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

After posting an .867 OPS over 96 games with the Mets' Double-A affiliate last season, Williams received a promotion to Triple-A Syracuse in mid-August and slashed .209/.285/.433 with seven homers, 15 RBI and 21 runs scored across 151 plate appearances. The 22-year-old prospect doesn't own a 40-man roster spot, making it likely that he will report to Triple-A Nashville to begin his tenure with the Brewers. However, he could be promoted sometime during the season if shortstop Joey Ortiz's offensive struggles carry into 2026.

The Brewers traded Myers and Freddy Peralta to the Mets on Wednesday in exchange for Jett Williams and Brandon Sproat, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

While Peralta is the most notable addition to the Mets' pitching staff from the trade, Myers has been productive in his own right, posting a 3.15 ERA and 1.22 WHIP over 188.2 frames since reaching the majors in 2024. He worked primarily as a long reliever for the Brewers in 2025 but will likely get a chance to compete for a spot in New York's rotation during spring training.

The Brewers traded Peralta to the Mets on Wednesday alongside Tobias Myers in exchange for Jett Williams and Brandon Sproat, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

The Mets get the rotation help they've been seeking by adding Peralta, who finished the 2025 regular season with a career-best 2.70 ERA and 1.08 WHIP while collecting 204 strikeouts in 176.2 innings. The 29-year-old righty figures to slot into the front end of New York's rotation alongside Nolan McLean and Sean Manaea and will be a candidate to start Opening Day.