MLB Player News

How fun is this? Molina, 40, has a been a big part of the Puerto Rico roster in previous WBCs, and now he’ll get a chance to lead the club next spring. It’s not known yet if he’ll also act as a player. It shouldn’t shock anyone if Molina ends up managing an MLB team in the coming years -- assuming it’s something he’s interested in.

Swaggerty was in camp last spring with the Dodgers before spending the entire year with the Kansas City Monarchs of the independent American Association, batting .269/.378/.422 with seven homers and 20 steals in 321 plate appearances over 73 contests. The 27-year-old outfielder was the 10th overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft and got into just five games for the Pirates during the 2022 season before being released midway through the following year after missing time to be with his wife while she battled a rare blood disease.

Contreras has yet to appear in the big leagues after spending the first seven years of his career between the Padres and Phillies. The 25-year-old righty struggled to a bloated 9.67 ERA, 1.81 WHIP and 51/24 K/BB ratio across 44 2/3 innings (14 appearances, eight starts) last year for Double-A Reading in Philadelphia’s system. He’s merely an experimental lottery ticket for the Padres at this stage of his career.

Hernández provides New York with some emergency infield depth heading into next season after batting .241/.333/.309 with two homers and 13 steals in 322 plate appearances last year for Triple-A Nashville in the Brewers’ system. The 26-year-old holds a lackluster .190/.286/.222 triple-slash line with 13 thefts in 221 plate appearances at the big-league level dating back to 2021.

Pelham provides the Athletics with some extra left-handed relief depth after splitting last year between a stint with the Angels at Double-A Rocket City and the independent Mexican League where he posted an absurd 1.04 ERA over 17 1/3 innings of work. The 29-year-old southpaw hasn’t appeared in the majors since the 2018 campaign when he made 10 unremarkable relief appearances for the Rangers.

Twins bench coach Jayce Tingler mentioned earlier this offseason that Jax could potentially make the leap to Minnesota’s starting rotation next season, but that doesn’t appear to be happening. It’ll be Pablo López, Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober and Chris Paddack in addition to some combination of Simeon Woods Richardson, David Festa or Zebby Matthews breaking camp in the rotation mix. The 30-year-old righty, who broke in the majors as a starter back in 2021, has excelled in a high-leverage role for the Twins over the past three seasons. He piled up 10 saves last year to accompany a sparkling 2.03 ERA (1.94 FIP), 0.87 WHIP and 95/15 K/BB ratio across 71 innings (72 appearances). He’ll remain among the most impactful non-closers in the fantasy landscape and a legitimate force in saves plus holds formats heading into 2025.

Brogdon, 29, elected free agency after being sent outright to Triple-A by the Dodgers in the middle of November. The 29-year-old dealt with injuries in 2024, but he’s been a relatively effective hurler when healthy. He could be amember of the Angels’ bullpen to open the year, but he’ll need to earn a spot on the 40-man roster to do so.

Danner was designated for assignment after the Blue Jays acquired Josh Walker in Dcember. Danner, 26, posted solid numbers in Buffalo with a 3.06 ERA and 36/13 K/BB over 35 1/3 innings, and could be given a chance to compete for one of the final spots in the Seattle bullpen this spring.

Rojas will head to Chicago and assuredly be a regular, likely as the starting third baseman. The 30-year-old got off to a roaring start for Seattle, but plummeted over the final few months of the campaign. Even with playing time guaranteed, there’s no real reason to roster Rojas in 2025.

Amaya is booted off the 40-man roster after the White Sox made the signing of Josh Rojas official. The former Dodgers’ prospect struggled at the highest level, but as a 26-year-old capable of playing up the middle he could see interest on the waiver wire.

Warren gets the heave-ho off the 40-man roster after the Giants claimed Sam Huff off waivers from the Rangers. Warren posted a 1.69 ERA in a very small sample of six appearances and 10 2/3 innings with San Francisco, and it wouldn’t be a surprise at all if a team showed interest via trade or claim.