MLB Player News

Rucker was designated for assignment by the Phillies earlier this week. Washington opened a spot on its 40-man roster by designating Travis Blankenhorn for assignment and optioned Rucker to Triple-A Rochester. Rucker is yet to appear in the majors this year and has a 7.04 ERA in 19 appearances at Triple-A.

Sasaki is now the top pitcher on the market with Corbin Burnes signing on with the Diamondbacks, and the 23-year-old right-hander has had reported interest from a bevy of suitors. The Dodgers did sign Blake Snell to kick off the big spending of the winter, but they’re still considered one of the favorites to land Sasaki. The Cubs, Mets, Yankees and Rangers appear to be the strongest players for his service so far.

Brosseau played in 244 major league games, hitting .242/.313/.428, from 2019-23, but he spent all of last year in the minors and wound up batting .263/.356/.417 with 15 homers in 405 plate appearances for the Triple-A affiliates of the Royals and Mets. If the season started tomorrow, Brosseau would probably claim a spot on a barren Padres bench. The club is certain to keep adding, though.

Hernández might not have fit the roster as well as Pete Alonso, but he would have been a less expensive alternative to add another big bat to the order. Such an addition presumably would have left Brandon Nimmo playing a lot of center field, giving the Mets one of the game’s worst defensive outfields. As is, they currently have two lineup spots per game for Starling Marte and a pair of more legitimate center fielders in Jose Siri and Tyrone Taylor. Marte would seem to be an obvious candidate to be traded if the Mets add another quality hitter.

No deferred money, apparently. Nightengale added that Burnes took Arizona’s offer over a seven-year, $250 million pact with an AL East team (we’re guessing that’s Toronto). Burnes can opt out his six-year, $210 million deal after two years. During those first two years, he’ll have full no-trade protection. After that, assuming he stays put, he’ll be able to block trades to 14 teams.

Now official. Buehler will join Garrett Crochet, Tanner Houck, Brayan Bello and Kutter Crawford in a revamped Red Sox rotation that could also get help in the form of Lucas Giolito not long into the season. Moving into a big-time hitter’s park won’t do anything for his fantasy value, but he offers considerable upside anyway. He’s just riskier than most, and he probably ought to be viewed as a fifth or sixth starter in mixed leagues.

Wow. Heyman says the Burnes can opt out after two years. It sounded like Burnes and the Giants were a match, but it seems San Francisco couldn’t come up with the money. He’s a huge get for an Arizona team that is very well set in the rotation now with Burnes, Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, Eduardo Rodriguez and Brandon Pfaadt. One wonders if the club might part with Gallen for offense, opening up a spot for Jordan Montgomery or Ryne Nelson.

The two sides agreed to the deal just before Christmas and it finally became official on Friday. Manaea was a key cog in the Mets’ rotation during the 2024 season, registering a 3.47 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and a 184/63 K/BB ratio over 181 2/3 innings in his 32 starts. The 32-year-old southpaw currently sports an average draft position just outside the top 175 players overall in early fantasy drafts.

Jeff Passan of ESPN adds that the contract includes a $15 million option for a fourth season, a $23 million signing bonus and more than $23 million in deferred money. The 32-year-old outfielder took to Instagram to announce that he was officially returning to the Dodgers. Hernández was outstanding in his lone season with the World Champions, slashing .272/.339/.501 with 33 long balls, 99 RBI and 12 stolen bases in 652 plate appearances. He’ll return to one of the deepest and most talented lineups in all of baseball and should be a force in fantasy leagues once again in 2025. Hernández is currently going just outside the top 75 players overall in early fantasy drafts.

The 37-year-old hurler had a career resurgence with the Rangers in 2024, registering a minuscule 1.17 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and an 85/28 K/BB ratio over 61 2/3 innings while recording 33 saves. The Diamondbacks want to add another capable arm to the backend of their bullpen to help out Justin Martinez and A.J. Puk and Yates would certainly fit the bill. The Tigers have also shown interest in his services this off-season while the Rangers are interested in bringing him back as well.

Interesting. The Tigers signed Gleyber Torres on Friday to a one-year deal, and Keith — who has primarily played second base with Detroit — will move a little further to his left and play at the not-as-hot corner instead. The 23-year-old will likely be in a platoon with Spencer Torkelson for the 2025 season, assuming Torkelson isn’t traded, of course. Keith’s fantasy value goes up a tick, as he’ll have eligibility at multiple positions shortly into the campaign.