MLB Player News

The Athletics designated Waldichuk for assignment Monday.

The move frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Jeff McNeil (shoulder), who was acquired via trade. Waldichuk missed all of 2024 and the first half of 2025 while recovering from Tommy John surgery, and he posted an 8.65 ERA, 2.06 WHIP and 64:42 K:BB across 51 innings this past season at Triple-A Las Vegas. The lefty will turn 28 in January and hasn't pitched in the majors since 2023, but with a career 33.9 percent strikeout rate in the minors and team control through 2029, he could draw interest via trade or waivers.

The Athletics acquired McNeil (shoulder) and cash considerations from the Mets on Monday in exchange for Yordan Rodriguez, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

McNeil finished the 2025 season with a .243/.335/.411 batting line and 12 home runs over 462 plate appearances, which was his best offensive season since he made the All-Star team and won the National League batting title in 2022. He underwent thoracic outlet surgery after this past season but is expected to be ready for spring training. Slated to turn 34 just after Opening Day, McNeil will take over as the Athletics' starting second baseman and will get a boost with a move from Citi Field to Sutter Health Park.

The Tigers re-signed Mattison to a minor-league contract Dec. 18 that includes an invitation to spring training, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Mattison was non-tendered by the Tigers last month, but he's now back in the organization and will be in big-league camp this spring. The righty reliever boasts a 32.8 percent strikeout rate in the minors but has been held back by a bloated 13.4 percent walk rate.

The White Sox signed Harris to a minor-league contract Monday that includes an invitation to spring training, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.

Harris hit .285/.369/.435 at Triple-A Round Rock in the Rangers organization last season but went just 8-for-40 with a 30.2 percent strikeout rate during his time with the big club. The White Sox don't have much outfield depth, so the 26-year-old Harris has an outside shot of pushing for an Opening Day roster spot.

The Guardians signed Heuer to a minor-league contract Monday that includes an invitation to spring training, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Heuer got into three games between the Rangers and Tigers in 2025 but spent most of the season at the Triple-A level, where he held a 3.14 ERA and 62:17 K:BB over 48.2 innings. The 29-year-old reliever will compete for a spot in the Guardians' bullpen but is likely headed to Triple-A Columbus to begin next season.

The Cubs signed Bethancourt to a minor-league contract Monday that includes an invitation to spring training, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

He'll be paid $1.6 million if in the majors, but with Carson Kelly and an out-of-minor-league-options Miguel Amaya already on the team, Bethancourt is unlikely to crack the Opening Day roster. The 34-year-old catcher spent the 2025 season at Triple-A Buffalo in the Blue Jays organization, posting just a .551 OPS. Bethancourt is a career .229/.259/.362 hitter over parts of eight big-league seasons.

The Cardinals signed Shuster to a minor-league contract Monday that includes an invitation to spring training, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

A first-round pick in the 2020 First-Year Player Draft, Shuster was once a prospect of some note. However, the left-hander's performance thus far at the major-league level hasn't been encouraging, as he holds a 5.27 ERA and 98:64 K:BB over 141.2 innings covering parts of three seasons. Shuster is capable of starting and relieving, and it's unclear what role the Cardinals have in mind for him, but he has a chance to make the roster on a rebuilding squad.

Burleson will become the Cardinals' everyday first baseman in 2026 following the trade of Willson Contreras (shoulder) to the Red Sox, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Burleson has primarily played the outfield in pro ball, but he has ample experience at first base, as well, having made 38 starts there during the 2025 season. The 27-year-old will have dual eligibility in fantasy leagues in 2026, but it's unclear whether he will see enough action in the outfield to retain eligibility there heading into 2027. The left-handed-hitting Burleson greatly improved versus left-handed pitching in 2025 -- slashing an adequate .271/.310/.398 -- and the Cardinals intend to give him everyday reps in 2026 rather than saddling him with a platoon partner.

The Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball signed Canario to a contract Sunday, Yakyu Cosmopolitan reports.

Canario was non-tendered by the Pirates last month after posting a .611 OPS in 87 games for Pittsburgh during the 2025 season. The 25-year-old has slashed just .229/.283/.368 during his limited major-league opportunities and will now try his luck in Japan.

Casas (knee) could begin the season at Triple-A Worcester following Boston's acquisition of Willson Contreras (shoulder), Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Casas is working his way back from surgery to repair a ruptured left patellar tendon and could be ready to go Opening Day. However, with Contreras added to the mix, the Red Sox could choose to proceed cautiously with Casas, who has minor-league options remaining. A trade of an outfielder (likely Jarren Duran) could allow both Contreras and Casas to play regularly between first base and designated hitter, though Masataka Yoshida also looms as a DH option. A clearer plan for Casas should be revealed during spring training.