MLB Player News

Pruitt gets the call to join Texas’ bullpen mix after southpaw Brock Burke broke his non-throwing hand on Friday when he punched a clubhouse wall out of frustration. The 34-year-old veteran made 38 relief appearances last year for the rebuilding Athletics and figures to operate in low-leverage spots.

Mike Ford, on the other hand, has become a free agent after struggling to establish himself in his first year in Japan. Austin, who came up with the Yankees in 2016, is well established as one of Japan’s best hitters after five seasons with Yokohama. In 2024, he led the Central League in average, just edging out Domingo Santana, and OPS, coming in at .316/.382/.601 in 445 plate appearances.

It’s a one-year deal for $900,000 for Thompson. The 28-year-old has been in the Cubs’ organization since being drafted in the 11th round back in 2018, and in 2024 he forged a 5.95 ERA with a 99/44 K/BB over 107 1/3 innings.

The deal is now official after passing his physical. Snell is a major boost to the Los Angeles rotation, and when healthy he’s been among the most effective pitchers in baseball; an understatement as seen in two Cy Young awards. He should pitch near the top of the rotation, and while managers need to take some precautions based on his durability, this is a wonderful fit for both fantasy and reality.

Ramirez was released by the Blue Jays back in November, and it’s not surprising the 30-year-old is heading overseas. A strong season in the NPB could give him a wider market come 2026.

Tough business. Perlaza, a former Cubs minor leaguer, was the Eagles’ best hitter last season, coming in at .275/.364/.486 with 24 homers. He’s still just 26 and he had a .922 OPS in Triple-A in 2023, so he could receive interest from major league teams, presumably on a minor league deal. Other players non-tendered by Korean clubs this week include former big leaguers Eric Lauer, Roenis Elias, Jordan Balazovic and Brandon Waddell. Waddell was cut despite having gone 23-10 with a 2.98 ERA in 43 starts since 2022.

Vosler, 31, crushed the ball in Triple-A last season, hitting .303/.371/.573 with 31 homers and 110 RBI for Tacoma, but he’s thus far come in at just .207/.274/.395 in 107 major league games with the Giants, Reds and Mariners. With the choice of taking a minor league contract with a chance to compete for a job in spring training or getting guaranteed money overseas, he’s opted for Japan. He could take over as Chunichi’s first baseman. That was a spot long held down by former White Sox player Dayan Viciedo, but at age 35, he lost his hold on the job last season.

No word yet on the financials of the deal, but it’s believed to be a non-guaranteed split contract. The 27-year-old hurler looked sharp in eight appearances with the Guardians in 2024, posting a 2.25 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and an 8/5 K/BB ratio across eight innings. He’ll add another weapon to the Braves’ middle relief corps.

The 27-year-old hurler was terrific in a limited sample for the Guardians during the 2024 season — posting a 2.25 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and an 8/5 K/BB ratio over his eight frames — so it’s not surprising that another team was willing to take a shot on him on a big-league pact after he was non-tendered. Expect him to function in a middle relief role for the Braves.

As previously reported by Jeff Passan of ESPN, the deal will run from 2025-2029 and include a club option for a sixth season. Edman will also receive a $17 million signing bonus and some of the money in the contract will be deferred. The versatile 29-year-old was a key cog in the Dodgers’ championship run in 2024 and now he’ll be a fixture for the foreseeable future. Expect that he’ll function in a super utility role once again in 2025, where his blend of power and speed make him an intriguing option at his current average draft position around pick-200 in early fantasy drafts.

There had been rumblings last week that the two sides were in talks about a long-term deal, so it’s not surprising to see them push it across the finish line. Passan notes that the contract will run from 2025-2029 and will also include a club option for the 2030 campaign. Edman will receive $17 million up front as a signing bonus and there will also be some deferred money in the contract.