MLB Player News

The Red Sox plan to have Contreras (shoulder) split his playing time between first base and designated hitter, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Triston Casas' recovery from a ruptured patellar tendon is coming along well and there's a chance he's ready for Opening Day, but the acquisition of Contreras allows the Red Sox to slow-play Casas, if needed. Contreras is coming back from a shoulder injury of his own but is expected to be fine for spring training. When both players are healthy, they should soak up most of the reps between first base and DH, though Casas does have minor-league options remaining.

The Red Sox traded Dobbins (knee) to St. Louis on Sunday as part of a package for first baseman Willson Contreras (shoulder), Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Dobbins had his 2025 campaign cut short when he tore the ACL in his right knee while running to cover first base during a game against the Rays in mid-July. The hurler ultimately underwent surgery and ended the season on the 60-day injured list, though he began a throwing progression in early November and is slated to be ready for the start of spring training. Prior to getting hurt, Dobbins made 13 appearances (11 starts) during his first taste of the majors, posting a 4.13 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 45:17 K:BB across 61 innings. Dobbins could compete for a spot in St. Louis' rotation, but his low-strikeout profile isn't one that typically attracts the attention of fantasy managers.

St. Louis traded Contreras (shoulder) to the Red Sox on Sunday for a package that includes pitcher Hunter Dobbins (knee), Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Contreras spent the past three seasons with St. Louis after beginning his career with seven campaigns as a Cub. He transitioned to first base full time last year, with all 120 of his appearances in the field coming at that position after he spent his first nine seasons primarily as a catcher. Contreras reportedly informed Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom in September that he was unwilling to waive his no-trade clause, but clearly the 33-year-old has since had a change of heart. He'll fill a considerable gap at first base for the Red Sox, as they lost Abraham Toro to free agency Friday and DFA'd Nathaniel Lowe in November, leaving only the oft-injured Triston Casas (knee) to compete for at-bats. Contreras' loss of catcher eligibility reduces his fantasy appeal considerably, but he showed in his final season in St. Louis that he can still be moderately productive, slashing .257/.344/.447 with 20 home runs, 80 RBI, 70 runs and five stolen bases over 562 plate appearances. He ended the campaign on the IL due to a right shoulder strain, though the injury isn't expected to impact his readiness for spring training.

Machin agreed to a minor-league contract with the Rockies on Sunday, Jorge Castillo of ESPN.com reports.

The deal includes an invitation to big-league spring training, where the 32-year-old will get the chance to compete for a utility infield role on Colorado's Opening Day roster. For the first time since 2022, Machin resurfaced in the big leagues this past season, appearing in four games for Baltimore in late August and going 1-for-11 with a solo home run and a walk. He spent the bulk of the season at Triple-A Norfolk, slashing .286/.347/.476 with 18 home runs and 15 stolen bases across 504 plate appearances.

The Guardians designated Bruihl for assignment Saturday.

Cleveland just acquired Bruihl from Toronto in exchange for cash considerations Wednesday, but it appears the Guardians no longer see the southpaw as part of the team's big-league bullpen after they signed Shawn Armstrong on Thursday. Bruihl can elect to become a free agent if he passes through waivers unclaimed. He may have to settle for a minor-league deal eventually, as he holds a career 4.72 ERA and 1.37 WHIP with a 69:32 K:BB over 89.2 innings across 94 games spanning parts of five campaigns.

The Yankees signed Blackburn to a one-year, $2 million contract Saturday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Blackburn began last season with the Mets but was released in mid-August. He was subsequently signed by the Yankees, with whom he made eight appearances out of the bullpen, posting a 5.28 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 16:4 K:BB over 15.1 regular-season innings. While those numbers aren't impressive, the bulk of the damage against him came in his team debut, when he gave up seven runs over 3.1 frames against Boston. Over his remaining seven appearances, Blackburn was much more effective, yielding just three runs (two earned) while posting a 14:2 K:BB across 12 innings. The veteran right-hander will likely work as a middle- and long-relief option next season with New York and also gives the team rotation depth given his history of working as a big-league starter.

Malloy was designated for assignment by the Tigers on Saturday.

The Tigers needed to make room on the 40-man roster for recent re-signee Kyle Finnegan, and Malloy has ended up being the cut. Malloy has struggled during his time in the majors so far, posting a .656 OPS with nine home runs, 38 RBI, 33 runs and one stolen base over 123 games spanning 357 plate appearances. He's also posted a 32.8 percent strikeout rate, though he has shown an ability to take a free pass with a 12.0 percent walk rate. That and his moderate power could make him a target on waivers for other MLB clubs.

Fairchild signed a minor-league contract with the Guardians on Saturday that includes an invitation to spring training.

Finger and oblique injuries kept Fairchild on the sidelines for the majority of the 2025 season, and he posted just a .606 OPS over 55 plate appearances with Atlanta when healthy. The 29-year-old outfielder will have a chance to win a job on Cleveland's bench during spring training, but he's likely destined to spend most of the upcoming season at Triple-A Columbus.

The Giants designated Meckler for assignment Friday, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

With Adrian Houser's signing becoming official Friday, Meckler will end up as the roster casualty necessary to make room on San Francisco's 40-man roster. The 25-year-old outfielder slashed .287/.390/.370 across 401 plate appearances at Triple-A Sacramento this past season, but he hasn't appeared in an MLB game since 2023. His ability to play across the outfield and at second base will help his chances of being claimed by another club. However, his chances of contributing in the majors are slim.

The Pirates designated Luciano for assignment Friday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Just two weeks after being claimed from San Francisco, Luciano will once again enter the waiver process following Pittsburgh's acquisitions of Brandon Lowe, Jake Mangum and Mason Montgomery on Friday. The 24-year-old Luciano -- once considered a top prospect in baseball -- could still be an attractive waiver target for other clubs despite his career .590 OPS in the big leagues.