MLB Player News

Martinez got the call to protect a narrow one-run margin in the 10th inning after Ryan Thompson was saddled with a blown save the previous inning when he surrendered a game-tying sacrifice fly that sent the contest to extra innings. He intentionally walked José Ramírez to put runners on the corners before striking out Josh Naylor and David Fry to preserve the victory. The hard-throwing 23-year-old righty should continue to factor into Arizona’s closing mix alongside Thompson and newly-acquired A.J. Puk moving forward, which makes him an interesting addition in deeper mixed leagues where every potential save is extremely valuable.

The Padres were busy on Friday, agreeing to contracts with both Heyward and Connor Joe. Lin notes that the plan is for Heyward and Joe to platoon in left field, with the 35-year-old Heyward set to see strong side at-bats. He’s coming off of a brutal year at the plate in which he slashed a woeful .211/.288/.412 with 10 homers and 37 RBI in 258 plate appearances between the Dodgers and Astros. The chances of him suddenly returning to fantasy relevancy are small, but stranger things have happened.

Dennis Lin of The Athletic had reported earlier in the day that the two sides were in the process of finalizing a deal and it looks like they were able to get it done. Financial terms of the contract are not yet available, but it will be a major league contract. Expect the 32-year-old to see time at both first base and in the outfield and to be in the Padres’ lineup against most southpaws.

Atkins elaborated, “Yariel will come in stretched out and compete for that fifth spot... He’ll remain depth for us, and we’ll make a decision about halfway or three-quarters of the way through Spring Training to try to put our pieces in the best positions to be successful.” The 27-year-old hurler is seemingly fighting an uphill battle after the signing of Max Scherzer, but he’ll stay stretched out and be the next man up in the event of an injury.

The 30-year-old backstop spent the 2024 season in the Mexican League where he hit .258/.333/.421 with six homers, 31 RBI and a 26/16 K/BB ratio across 181 plate appearances. He’ll add depth and experience behind the plate in big league camp during spring training.

The 29-year-old hurler returns stateside after one year in the Korea Baseball Organization where he registered a 3.43 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and a 158/40 K/BB ratio over 160 innings in his 28 starts. With a strong showing in Grapefruit League action, he could work his way into the backend of the Rays’ Opening Day rotation..

Martino notes that he didn’t get any sense that the Bombers had any interest in Arenado throughout the winter and would be surprised if that changed in the final days leading up to spring training. The third base market around the league is still in flux with Alex Bregman still unsigned and Arenado a possibility to be dealt. As it stands, the Yankees plan to roll with Oswaldo Cabrera at the hot corner, so it’s easy to see why some have speculated that they could jump in on the Arenado sweepstakes.

The only big league experience that the 30-year-old backstop has came with the Marlins during the truncated 2020 season in which he went 2-for-5 in the two games that he appeared in. He’ll add depth behind the plate during Grapefruit League action.

The 28-year-old southpaw was designated for assignment by the Mariners earlier in the week. Rather than accepting an outright assignment to Triple-A Tacoma however, he will peddle his wares on the open market instead. Díaz posted a 4.66 ERA, 1.76 WHIP and an 8/3 K/BB ratio over 9 2/3 innings in five appearances with the M’s during the 2024 campaign.

Marlowe was purged from the M’s 40-man roster in early February to clear a spot for the return of Jorge Polanco, but he passed through waivers unclaimed and will report to Triple-A. He’ll be in Mariners’ camp as a non-roster invitee this spring. The 27-year-old appeared in eight games for the Mariners in 2024 but saw just nine plate appearances — going 2-for-8 (.250) with a walk and a run scored.

Winans, 29, was dropped from the Yankees’ 40-man roster earlier in the week as the Bombers needed to make room for Owen White after he was claimed off of waivers. He’ll stick around and head to the big league side of spring training as a non-roster invitee where he’ll provide extra rotation depth for the Yankees.