MLB Player News

Narvaez (knee) will serve as Boston's starting catcher again in 2026, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

According to manager Alex Cora, Narvaez's knee was a problem throughout the entire 2025 season. Narvaez was able to avoid the injured list and remained an excellent defensive backstop, but the injury helps explain his offensive downturn in the second half, when he posted a .187/.233/.387 slash line. Following a left knee meniscectomy in October, Narvaez will slot back in as the No. 1 catcher for the Red Sox ahead of Connor Wong.

Roupp (knee) completed his first live batting practice session of the spring Saturday, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

The right-hander did not make an appearance after Aug. 20 last year after taking a comebacker off his knee, but he appears to be all set for a normal camp without restrictions. While Roupp does not throw particularly hard and has a modest strikeout rate, he has achieved respectable results (3.80 ERA over 106.2 innings last season). He figures to be locked into a rotation spot for San Francisco to begin 2026.

The Orioles placed Selby on the 60-day injured list Saturday due to right shoulder inflammation, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

Selby's move to the 60-day IL will ensure he remains sidelined until at least late May and opens up a spot on the 40-man roster for Jackson Kowar, who was acquired in a trade with the Twins on Saturday. Selby isn't reportedly dealing with any structural damage, which increases the likelihood that he could return to the Orioles' bullpen after a minimum-length IL stint.

Hahn signed a minor-league contract with the Blue Jays on Saturday that includes an invitation to big-league spring training.

Hahn spent most of his time with the Mariners' Triple-A affiliate last season, where he logged a 6.40 ERA and 1.68 WHIP across 32.1 innings. Barring a significant turnaround during spring training, the 36-year-old is likely to return to Triple-A to begin 2026.

The Twins traded Kowar (shoulder) to the Orioles on Saturday in exchange for cash.

The Twins DFA'd Kowar on Thursday to make room for Anthony Banda, and the former will now find a home on Baltimore's 40-man roster. The 29-year-old righty finished 2025 with a 4.23 ERA and 1.24 WHIP across 17 innings with the Mariners and will have to break camp with the O's in order to keep his spot on the 40-man roster. Colin Selby (shoulder) was placed on the 60-day IL in a corresponding move.

Perez signed a minor-league contract with the Nationals on Saturday and received an invitation to spring training, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.

Perez was a liability in the Orioles' bullpen last season, logging an 8.31 ERA and 2.12 WHIP as well as a 21:18 K:BB over 21.2 innings before being outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk in late May. He entered 2025 with a 3.80 ERA during his big-league career, however, so he may still win a spot in Washington's Opening Day bullpen if he returns to form during Grapefruit League play.

Marquez signed a one-year contract with the Padres on Saturday, Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com reports.

Marquez struggled mightily during his first full season back from Tommy John surgery, finishing 2025 with an unsightly 6.70 ERA and 1.71 WHIP over 126.1 innings with the Rockies. Leaving the pitcher-unfriendly environment of Colorado should help to improve the 30-year-old's numbers, but he still likely faces an uphill battle to make the Padres' rotation.

Chafin signed a minor-league contract with the Twins on Saturday that includes an invite to big-league spring training, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Chafin turned in a 2.41 ERA over 33.2 innings with the Nationals and Angels in 2025, though his 1.43 WHIP suggests that a handful of lucky breaks helped to prevent runs from scoring against him. Minnesota's bullpen competition is wide open, so the left-hander could land an Opening Day roster spot with a strong Grapefruit League showing.

Manager Torey Lovullo said Saturday that Kelly will start the Diamondbacks' March 26 season opener versus the Dodgers in Los Angeles, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

The 37-year-old entered camp as the favorite for the Opening Day nod, but the re-signing of Zac Gallen on Friday made the decision less obvious. Kelly posted a 3.22 ERA and 1.06 WHIP over 128.2 innings with Arizona last season but failed to match that production after being traded to Texas, where he put up a 4.23 ERA across 55.1 frames.

Faucher will make $1.8 million in 2026 after losing his arbitration hearing with the Marlins on Saturday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Faucher had filed for $2.05 million, but he'll receive the lower of the two figures after posting a 3.28 ERA and 1.28 WHIP across 60.1 innings in 2025. The 30-year-old collected 15 saves while serving as Miami's primary closer last season, but he'll likely be relegated to a setup role in 2026 while new addition Pete Fairbanks works the ninth inning.