MLB Player News

After never getting into a game in his first two stints with the Orioles, Soto did play in 12 this time around and went 3-for-10 with three walks. He’ll likely be dropped from the 40-man once the Orioles’ postseason concludes.

Combs was one of about a billion players drafted out of Tennessee last year, and was selected in the ninth round pick by the White Sox. The 23-year-old right-hander projects as a depth piece, but Philadelphia will do their best to unlock more. Fantasy managers can’t count on it yet.

Shewmake, 27, is removed from the 40-man roster to make room for recently-acquired Tyler Gilbert. Shewmake was a first-round pick who showed some promise early after being drafted, but has become just organizational fodder.

Gilbert was designated for assignment by the Phillies, and will now go from a World Series contender to a team that lost 121 games. Happy New Year. Gilbert should actually get a chance to pitch for the White Sox, however, something that wasn’t likely as a member of the Philadelphia organization.

“He’s doing good,” Rockies general manager Bill Schmidt said recently. “From my understanding, he really hasn’t shut down since the end of the season. He’s working out. He’s swinging the bat.” The harsh reality here is that Bryant has been limited to just 159 games over the last three years for Colorado due to injury since signing a massive seven-year, $182 million contract. The 32-year-old, who will open next year as the Rockies primary designated hitter and part-time right fielder, former impact fantasy contributor has completely fallen off fantasy manager’s radar screens due to persistent back issues. We’re not forecasting a bounce-back campaign, but there’s at least some optimism from the club that he’ll be ready to play at the outset of Cactus League action.

Wagner had his left knee scoped back in mid-September after meeting with specialists but is expected to be ready for spring training without any limitations. The 26-year-old’s path to regular at-bats becomes a bit clearer in the wake of Spencer Horwitz being shipped to Pittsburgh earlier this month as he’s the current front-runner to open next season as Toronto’s primary designated hitter after batting .305/.337/.451 with two homers in 86 plate appearances last year at the highest level. It was an extremely small sample size, but fantasy managers, especially those in deeper mixed leagues, should consider rolling the dice in the late rounds.

Anchia heads to Cleveland after spending the last seven years in Seattle’s system. The defensive-oriented backstop batted .210/.246/.358 with nine homers and three steals in 290 plate appearances last year for Double-A Arkansas. It’s no surprise the Guardians are bringing him in given his defensive abilities and the organization’s emphasis on pitching development.

It’s been roughly two weeks since Arenado invoked his no-trade clause to veto a potential trade to Houston and it’s unclear whether there is another trade partner out there willing to take on the roughly $60 million left on his contract over the next three years. It’s entirely possible that a spring training injury changes the calculus for a contending front office, but at this point it’s becoming increasingly likely that Arenado will return to St. Louis for the upcoming 2025 season.

Williams was fantastic in 2024 before a flexor tendon injury caused him to miss the final three-plus months of the season. He was 6-1 with a 2.03 ERA prior to that, and the Nationals will hope that he can be a semblance of that hurler in 2025 and 2026. Fantasy managers should probably not bet on it considering his track record prior to the breakout campaign.

Gordon was a minor-league free agent after hitting a paltry .227/.258/.369 in 95 game with the Marlins. The former top prospect will battle for a bench spot with Baltimore, but faces an uphill battle and then some to make the Opening Day roster

No word yet as to the financial terms, but it’s not likely to be a (relatively) significant salary. Thielbar was mostly ineffective in 2024 with a 5.32 ERA and 1.56 WHIP, but he’s had success in the past, and will be a middle-innings option for the Cubs in 2025.