MLB Player News

All of the runs came in the first three innings. Sears is 0-4 with a 6.49 ERA against his former team since the A’s picked him up in the Frankie Montas deal two years ago. Overall this year, he’s 11-12 while having allowed 91 runs in 174 2/3 innings. Last year, he finished 5-14 while giving up 90 runs in 172 1/3 innings. He’ll take on the Mariners in his final scheduled start.

It took roughly one week after initial reports surfaced linking Yates to Los Angeles, but Passan adds that the deal is finally done after the veteran stopper passed his physical. There should be an official announcement from the Dodgers in the coming days, if not sooner. The 37-year-old closer converted 33 of 34 save opportunities last year for the Rangers to accompany a sparkling 1.17 ERA (2.50 FIP), 0.83 WHIP and 85/28 K/BB ratio across 61 2/3 innings (61 appearances). He figures to take over as the Dodgers’ primary closer with lefty free agent import Tanner Scott moving to a more versatile fireman-type role. The move is undoubtedly a positive one from a fantasy perspective and puts him squarely in the RP10-15 range on draft day.

It’s encouraging to see Pérez continuing to make steady progress in his lengthy recovery from last April’s Tommy John surgery and figures to be ready to rejoin Miami’s starting rotation at some point in the early stages of the upcoming season. The dynamic 21-year-old righty was one of the most electrifying young arms in baseball prior to the injury and he’s going to make an immediate fantasy impact upon returning.

Rodriguez represents an intriguing low-risk gamble for the rebuilding White Sox as a relief project. The hard-throwing 26-year-old righty spent last year in Arizona’s minor-league system, making 36 relief appearances in the upper minors. He’s struggled to stay healthy since breaking into the majors with the Angels back in 2021 when he looked like an impact reliever.

Liranzo has been kicking around the minors for the past dozen years, but has yet to reach the big leagues. The 29-year-old righty made 31 appearances last year in the Yankees’ minor-league system, with most of those coming out of the bullpen at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He gives Milwaukee some extra depth at Triple-A Nashville.

Winder was a highly touted pitching prospect with the Twins a couple years ago, but struggled with injuries last season, which limited him to just four relief appearances. The 28-year-old holds a serviceable 4.39 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 85/33 K/BB ratio across 110 2/3 innings (38 appearances, 11 starts) since 2022. He’ll augment Arizona’s relief mix and should factor into their low-leverage mix at some point this upcoming season.

Perez hasn’t appeared in the big leagues since back in 2022 when he got into exactly one contest for the Astros, who took him in the second round of the 2017 MLB Draft. The 25-year-old infielder spent last year at Double-A Altoona in Pittsburgh’s system, batting .230/.297/.374 with six homers and two steals in 259 plate appearances. He’ll head to Chicago as extra organizational depth.

No relation. Rodriguez spent last year in the Tigers’ minor-league system as organizational catching depth. The 27-year-old backstop will head to Double-A Northwest Arkansas in a backup role.

Mateo is doubtful for the start of next season as he continues to recover from UCL surgery on his non-throwing elbow. The versatile 29-year-old figures to split time at several infield spots next year behind starters Gunnar Henderson, Jordan Westburg and Jackson Holliday.

Díaz will presumably split the catching duties next season with Luis Campusano in San Diego. The 34-year-old veteran backstop hit six homers last year in 96 games between the Padres and Rockies. He’s a complete non-factor for fantasy purposes outside of extremely deep two-catcher formats and even that might be a stretch.

Berti augments Chicago’s infield depth heading into next season as an experienced utility infielder with the speed to make an impact on the bases when he gets an opportunity to contribute. The 35-year-old was hurt most of last year with the Yankees as a lingering calf issue limited him to just 25 games before being non-tendered back in late November. There’s a chance he opens next season as the Cubs’ starting third baseman if top prospect Matt Shaw fails to lock down the role in camp.