MLB Player News

It seems this will just be a cleanup. Aside from one week last month before he went back on the IL, Stewart has looked terrific in limited action for the Twins the last two seasons. Unfortunately, he just hasn’t been able to stay healthy.

Servais was fired in the middle of the 2024 season after recording a 680-642 record with the Mariners and leading them to one postseason appearance. The 57-year-old will likely be a candidate for manager jobs during the 2026 cycle.

Raley underwent Tommy John surgery with an internal brace procedure at the end of May, so he won’t be ready to pitch until near the end of 2025 at the earliest. The 36-year-old southpaw has been effective over the last two-plus seasons, and is likely looking at a two-year deal since he won’t be of much use this summer.

The move is necessary after the Giants signed Justin Verlander and needed room on the 40-man roster. Sabol, 27, should see interest on the waiver wire as a player who can play in the outfield as well as catch, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if he was claimed or if the Giants were able to work out a trade for the backup backstop.

Verlander will turn 42 in February, and is coming off a season where he forged a 5.48 ERA in 17 starts and not being used in the postseason. The future Hall of Famer joins friendlier confines in San Francisco and his previous track record can’t completely be ignored, but he shouldn’t be anything more than a late-round selection.

Willingham had a 6.66 ERA in 18 appearances with the Nationals in 2024 before being sent back down in July. The right-hander now hits the waiver wire after the Nationals signed Jorge López to a one-year deal.

Lopez was a solid contributor in 2024 with a 2.89 ERA and 50/19 K/BB in his work for the Cubs and Mets in 2024. The right-hander stands a good chance to earn saves at this point, but fantasy managers will want to see what else the Nats do before assuming he’s worthy of a draft selection.

The New York Post’s Jon Heyman says López will be guaranteed $3 million. As long as they don’t stop here, López is a decent enough addition to the Nationals bullpen. The 31-year-old had a 2.89 ERA and a 50/19 K/BB in 53 innings for the Mets and Cubs last season. He probably rates as the current favorite for saves in D.C., but we imagine they’ll add at least one superior option before camp opens.

It’s no surprise, but it’s nice that the pitcher is confirming it, since the brass wasn’t yet willing to. Whitlock is coming off internal brace surgery, but he expects to be ready for Opening Day or at least soon afterwards. He unfortunately struggled to stay healthy as a starter, but he has a 2.65 ERA with a 150/29 K/BB in 132 2/3 career innings as a reliever. He might be a fallback in the closer’s role if Liam Hendriks struggles.

Mayer isn’t in line for a position change, but the Red Sox want to keep their options open in case he breaks out and Trevor Story happens to be healthy and productive for once. Mayer, the fourth overall pick in the 2021 draft, hit .307/.370/.480 in 77 games for Double-A Portland last season.

That’s pretty interesting, since, barring an addition, Hamilton seemed to be the favorite to open up as the second baseman against righties, probably in a platoon role with Romy Gonzalez. It suggests there’s a legitimate chance of Campbell making the team after his breakout season. Grissom is also a candidate to steal away the job, turning Hamilton into a utilityman.