MLB Player News

Shohei Ohtani went 4-for-5 to raise his average to .309, but Arraez snapped out his mini-slump to retain most of his edge in the race for the NL batting title. He’s batting .314 after collecting three extra-base hits for the fifth time in his career. He last did so on June 3, 2023.

The 33-year-old is widely considered to be an above average defender, but Urshela slashed just .250/.286/.361 with nine homers and 52 RBI in 461 plate appearances between the Braves and Tigers during the 2024 campaign. It’s a nice signing for the A’s, as his presence will improve their overall infield, but Urshela shouldn’t be counted on for fantasy purposes.

The 25-year-old former top prospect was non-tendered by the Padres back in November. He’s still in the process of recovering from Tommy John surgery that he underwent in May and isn’t expected to be ready to return until after the All-Star break in 2025.

No word yet on the financial terms of the deal, but Milner had been expected to earn around $2.5 million via arbitration before he was non-tendered by the Brewers in November. The 33-year-old southpaw had a down season in 2024, registering a 4.73 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and a 64/14 K/BB ratio across 64 2/3 innings. He adds a strong weapon from the left side to the Rangers’ bullpen.

The deal is still pending a physical. Kepler, 31, battled injuries and inconsistency in his final season with the Twins, slashing .253/.302/.380 with eight homers, 42 RBI and an 80/22 K/BB ratio across 399 plate appearances. He should slot in as a regular corner outfielder against right-handed pitching while finding himself on the bench against most southpaws. The move away from Target Field and to the hitter friendly confines of Citizens Bank Park should help his power numbers for the 2025 campaign.

The 31-year-old resurrected his career in 2024 after signing a one-year, $1 million contract with the Padres — slashing a blistering .280/.380/.459 with 24 homers, 85 RBI and 10 stolen bases in a career-high 668 plate appearances. The fine prognosticators over at MLBTradeRumors.com projected that Profar would ultimately land a deal in the three-year, $45 million range, so it doesn’t seem bold for Profar to try for a three-year pact. He may need to wait until Anthony Santander and Teoscar Hernandez ultimately sign though before he ultimately signs.

Trejo really struggled in his limited action at the big league level in 2024, slashing an abysmal .143/.182/.143 with zero homers, one RBI and a 15/2 K/BB ratio in 67 plate appearances with the Rockies. He has shown to be viable infield depth in the past though and makes for a quality depth addition for the Rangers.

The 26-year-old backstop spent the 2024 season stationed at Double-A Frisco where he slashed .235/.355/.474 with 14 homers, 46 RBI and a 78/44 K/BB ratio across 300 plate appearances. He’ll serve as an extra body behind the plate during spring training and should ultimately wind up at Triple-A Round Rock to open the 2025 season.

Hoffman, 27, was a fifth-round draft choice by the Mariners back in 2018. He spent the last three seasons in the Orioles’ organization, most recently registering a 3.88 ERA, 1.74 WHIP and a 77/37 K/BB ratio over 58 innings at Triple-A Norfolk in 2024. He’ll add bullpen depth, likely in the upper minors for the Rangers.

The versatile 27-year-old was an eighth-round selection by the Rangers from the 2018 draft class and has spent his entire minor league career thus far in their organization. In 2024 he spent the entire year at Triple-A Round Rock where he slashed .275/.390/.382 with three homers, 55 RBI, 12 stolen bases and an 87/71 K/BB ratio over 452 plate appearances. He’ll continue to function as excess infield depth for the Rangers.

The 28-year-old hurler passed his physical on Thursday and the Mets officially announced the deal, which had been agreed to on Wednesday. While he has shown glimpses of greatness in the past, Canning struggled to a pedestrian 5.19 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and a 130/66 K/BB ratio over 171 2/3 innings for the Angels during the 2024 campaign. Perhaps a change of scenery and being able to pitch for a contender for the first time are what Canning needs to get his career back on track.