MLB Player News

It’s the second time Garabito has been optioned in a week. It’s possible this is it for him this year, but he’ll probably be back if some other Rangers pitcher goes on the IL.

The deal is now official. Pederson’s pull-heavy approach seems like a perfect fit for Globe Life Field, which ranks seventh out of 30 ballparks in Baseball Savant’s three-year park factors for left-handed home run power. The 32-year-old righty-masher, who will be utility-only next season for fantasy purposes, figures to bat in the heart of Texas’ strong lineup as their primary designated hitter, which puts him in position to emerge as a strong power plus counting stats fantasy contributor. He’s eclipsed 23 homers in six of the last nine full seasons dating back to 2015, so we’re confident projecting at least 20-25 round-trippers in his Rangers debut. He’s a strong late-round selection in all fantasy formats as a cheap power source that won’t be a complete anchor in the batting average department.

Anderson has been jettisoned from Texas’ 40-man roster to make room for newly-added slugger Joc Pederson. The 27-year-old righty has struggled to a lackluster 6.35 ERA (5.91 FIP), 1.52 WHIP and 59/24 K/BB ratio across 62 1/3 innings (49 appearances) over the last two years at the big-league level.

Breslow doesn’t have much of a choice here when talking to reporters, so we’re not dismissing the possibility that Casas winds up departing prior to spring training. However, those odds appear to be evaporating quickly after the club went out in the last few weeks and swung a trade for White Sox ace Garrett Crochet before signing free agent Walker Buehler.

Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow told reporters on Monday that he’s “very, very open” to the possibility of utilizing a six-man rotation next season. Most teams have gone that route in recent years, so it’s not a huge surprise, especially since Boston brought in Garrett Crochet and Walker Buehler to spearhead a rotation mix that also figures to include Giolito, Tanner Houck, Brayan Bello and Kutter Crawford. The 30-year-old righty is expected to be ready in the early stages of next season as he continues his rehabilitation process from an internal brace procedure that he underwent back in March.

The best-case scenario for the Red Sox involves shipping Yoshida somewhere else prior to spring training, but that appears highly unlikely at this juncture given how much he’s owed ($55.6 million) over the next three years. The 31-year-old designated hitter underwent right shoulder surgery back in early October, so it’s pretty remarkable that he’ll be ready to resume swinging by spring training. It’s unclear whether he’ll be a full-go by Opening Day, but it doesn’t appear that he’s facing a lengthy absence to open next year.

Barring an unexpected setback, Hendriks is the logical candidate to take over as Boston’s primary closer next season, with fellow veteran Aroldis Chapman vulturing the occasional save opportunity. The 35-year-old hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since the 2023 season, so he’ll most likely be brought along slowly in camp, but he’s probably going to Alex Cora’s preferred ninth-inning option, which gives him plenty of fantasy appeal.

It’s an encouraging update after Whitlock underwent an internal brace procedure on his right elbow back in May. The influx of new arrivals to the Red Sox’ starting rotation mix, most notably Garrett Crochet and Walker Buehler, means that he’ll likely shift back to the bullpen. It’s a hit to his immediate fantasy outlook, but he was outstanding in a high-leverage role a couple years ago when he first got to Boston.

It’s unclear whether or not Sasaki has met with everyone he intends to. Breslow indicated he’s still hoping for an opportunity, but the Red Sox look like big long shots here.

Rojas’s .225/.304/.336 line last season was ugly, but he was spending half of the time hitting in a dreadful ballpark in Seattle. He actually wound up with a 91 OPS+ that’s practically a match for his career mark of 92. He also graded out very well defensively at third last season after looking weaker at the middle infield spots earlier in his career. He’s a better spare part than a regular, but he’d make a lot of sense for the Cubs as a fallback at third if Matt Shaw needs more time.

The 33-year-old Heller has often racked up big strikeout numbers as a Triple-A reliever, but injuries have been a constant and he’s pitched a total of 62 major league innings to date. He gave up 15 earned runs over 12 innings for the Pirates last season before missing the final month with shoulder inflammation.