MLB Player News

It’s about time. The specially designed All-Star jerseys have drawn a lot of ire from fans over the last few years and have not been major hits with sales either, which likely has a lot to do with this decision. Regardless, it won’t be anything for fans to worry about moving forward.

Hentges is going to miss the 2025 season while recovering from shoulder surgery. The 28-year-old southpaw is now off the 40-man roster, and the Guardians now have room to sign Jakob Junis.

Junis was outstanding in 2024 with the Brewers and Reds as seen in a 51/8 K/BB and 2.69 ERA, and the 32-year-old right-hander will be a multi-inning option for Cleveland in 2025. Whether that’s as a starter or out of the bullpen remains unknown, but either way, he’s a better ‘real-life’ option than a fantasy one.

Murphy was supposed to be healthy this spring after missing most of last year with a knee injury, but a new problem has arisen. Even though Murphy is due $4 million in the second season of a two-year deal, the Giants were planning on throwing open the backup catcher spot, making it a competition between Murphy, Sam Huff and Max Stassi.

It’s reportedly worth $1 million. DeJong hit .227/.276/.427 in 482 plate appearances for the White Sox and Royals last season, which was easily his best showing since his lone All-Star season with the Cardinals in 2019. Last year’s line was good for a 95 OPS+, but that still leaves him at 79 over the last five seasons. Fortunately, he remains a fine defensive infielder. The Nationals should be looking at him as their primary backup at short and a fallback option elsewhere.

Gray underwent Tommy John surgery in late July, so he might have a tough time making it back before the end of this season. The Nationals tendered him over the winter anyway, and they’ll have him under control for two more years beyond this one.

Barlow, 29, has spent all of his major league time with the Rangers, amassing a 3.05 ERA in 73 2/3 innings from 2021-23. He struggled mightily in the White Sox system last year after missing time with a rotator cuff strain and was released in July. It’s unlikely that he’ll have much of a shot of winning an Opening Day roster spot.

“I was told they would reach out,” he said. “They haven’t yet. In the past it’s been spring training when they reach out to me. Obviously, Vladdy is the priority at this point.” The Jays are actively negotiating with Guerrero, a fellow free agent to be. It’s harder to place a value on Bichette after his particularly rough 2024 season.

Cousins added that his UCL “looked great” following an MRI. He should still have a shot at being ready for Opening Day if things go well after he resumes throwing.

Signing DeJong after already adding Amed Rosario feels unnecessary, but it’s hard to complain about adding a viable major leaguer for barely more than the minimum. Ideally, youngsters José Tena, Brady House and Trey Lipscomb will still be the primary contenders to start at third base. Rosario, penciled into a utility role, is still the most interesting fantasy infielder of the bunch, but he’ll probably get fewer opportunities in the early going now, hurting his chances of getting off to a hot start and ascending to the starting lineup.

Skenes is reportedly “tinkering” with adding a cutter and a running two-seam fastball to his impressive four-seamer, sweeper and a “splinker” that ranks as one of the best pitches in baseball already. The right-hander reiterated that he’s working to get ahead in counts quicker as well. Batters had an expected batting average of .193 against the 22-year-old’s arsenal in 2024, and it could be even more difficult to hit Skenes in 2025. Have fun, batters.