MLB Player News

Arizona might have something here in Del Castillo, who is quickly emerging as a viable catching option for fantasy managers, even in shallow mixed leagues, batting .333 (11-for-33) with three homers, 14 RBI and one steal in just nine games since being called up earlier this month from Triple-A Reno. The unheralded 24-year-old backstop clubbed a third-inning grand slam off Marlins starter Adam Oller before adding a two-run single a couple frames later. He even chipped in a stolen base as well, just for good measure. The over-the-fence pop is real after witnessing him set the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League ablaze earlier this season with 24 homers in 100 contests. It’s an extremely small sample size at the highest level, but Del Castillo is at least worthy of a speculative roster spot in all fantasy formats given his recent hot streak and catcher eligibility.

It’s fair to wonder if Sánchez’s precipitous decline from one of the most promising young pitchers in the game to a complete afterthought due to injury and ineffectiveness is one of the most disappointing career arcs we’ve seen in a long time. The 26-year-old former top prospect figures to elect free agency after his removal from Miami’s 40-man roster after posting a bloated 6.06 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 17/14 K/BB ratio across 35 2/3 innings (14 appearances, seven starts) last year in the big leagues.

Simpson has the option to elect free agency in the coming days, but he’s been officially removed from Miami’s 40-man roster for now. The 27-year-old lefty was limited to just a handful of appearances last year in the minors due to a left elbow injury.

Arias earns a spot on Miami’s 40-man roster after compiling a solid 3.04 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 75/27 K/BB ratio across 68 innings (44 appearances, one start) this past season for Triple-A Jacksonville. The 23-year-old righty figures to make his big-league debut at some point in 2025.

González has been added to Baltimore’s 40-man roster, effectively shielding him from selection in next month’s Rule 5 Draft, after posting a respectable 4.50 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 71/12 K/BB ratio across 60 innings (44 appearances) for Triple-A Norfolk. The 32-year-old journeyman lefty could finally arrive in the big leagues next season.

Gage has been officially removed from New York’s 40-man roster, but will stick around as extra organizational relief depth instead of electing free agency. The 31-year-old lefty didn’t pitch in the big leagues last year and has made 11 appearances in the majors since 2022.

Castano earns a spot on Seattle’s 40-man roster to shield him from next month’s Rule 5 Draft after posting a respectable 4.38 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 108/43 K/BB ratio across 125 1/3 innings (29 appearances, 26 starts) between Double-A Arkansas and Triple-A Tacoma.

Wilson heads to the open market after refusing an outright assignment from the Brewers following his removal from the club’s 40-man roster. The 26-year-old righty posted a serviceable 4.04 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 82/31 K/BB ratio across 104 2/3 innings (34 appearances, nine starts) for Milwaukee.

Bauers has opted to hit the open market in search of a new opportunity rather than accept an outright assignment to Triple-A following his removal from Milwaukee’s 40-man roster. The 29-year-old posted a pedestrian .662 OPS with 12 homers and 13 stolen bases in 116 games this past season for the Brewers.

Zastryzny pitched to a stellar 1.17 ERA, 0.65 WHIP and 5/1 K/BB ratio across 7 2/3 innings (nine appearances, three starts) last year for the Brewers before landing on the shelf with left elbow tendinities in late July. The 32-year-old southpaw will bolster Chicago’s organizational relief depth heading into the offseason.

Herget has been booted from Chicago’s 40-man roster to make room for lefty reliever Rob Zastryzny. The 31-year-old journeyman righty made eight relief appearances last year for the Braves.