MLB Player News

Danner was designated for assignment after the Blue Jays acquired Josh Walker in Dcember. Danner, 26, posted solid numbers in Buffalo with a 3.06 ERA and 36/13 K/BB over 35 1/3 innings, and could be given a chance to compete for one of the final spots in the Seattle bullpen this spring.

Alonso is one of — if not the — best sluggers on the market, and while he’s been linked the most heavily to the 30-year-old first baseman, it appears the Angels are also in the market for the man lovingly referred to as Polar Bear. It seems more likely that Alonso lands with either Toronto or New York at this point, but the Angels are known for doing some crazy things.

Pressly has a no-trade clause, and apparently has already used that clause to block a move to the Cubs and potentially the Blue Jays as well. The Astros appear motivated to move the 36-year-old, but Pressly holds the leverage because of that NTC, and apparently doesn’t to leave the middle of the United States. The Tigers would be a good landing spot for fantasy purposes, as he’d likely get plenty of save chances for that up-and-coming club.

La Sorsa is removed from the 40-man roster to make room for Shinnosuke Ogasawara. La Sorsa could see interest on the waiver wire for those looking for a potential left-hander in their bullpen, but if he goes unclaimed he’ll report to Triple-A Rochester to begin 2025.

No word yet on the finances. Ogasawara was posted by the Chunichi Dragons in December, and the left-hander has his new home for at least the next two seasons. The 27-year-old is coming off a season where he forged a 3.12 ERA over 24 starts and 144 1/3 innings, and is considered a command artist with a similiar — if not quite as good — profile as Shota Imanaga. Ogasawara should have a starting role with the Nationals, and is worth a look at the very end of drafts this spring.

Schultz is considered the top left-handed pitching prospect in baseball, and he was able to register an impressive 115 strikeouts over 88 1/3 innings with a 2.24 ERA before being shut down with a shoulder impingement. The 2022 first-round pick could make his debut in 2025, but he’s more of a 2026 play in terms of fantasy relevance.

Marinaccio’s time with the White Sox was short, as he was claimed off waivers from the Yankees near the end of September and designated for assignment Tuesday. The 29-year-old will likely be at risk of a DFA himself if San Diego needs 40-man room at some point, but assuming he sticks around, he should get a chance to win one of the final spots in the Padres’ bullpen.

There was initially optimism that Acuña could return before Opening Day after he suffered his torn ACL, but that has faded, and now the outfielder is all but assuredly going to open the 2025 season on the 10-day injured list. With the former MVP sidelined, it’s expected that Jarred Kelenic and Bryan De La Cruz will split time in right field with newly-signed Jurickson Profar handling left field and Michael Harris lined up in center. Even with the missed month, Acuña is well worth a (relatively) early draft selection this spring.

Ragazzo says that teams who watched the session thought Matzek looked “strong and healthy.” The 34-year-old was limited to just 11 appearances last year before being sidelined with left elbow inflammation, and injury issues have been a problem for the southpaw throughout his career. Still, when on the mound Maztek has been borderline dominant at times, so it won’t be any kind of surprise if he lands a deal before the start of the 2025 campaign; even if it’s likely incentive-laden.

And that the Tigers and Red Sox are still involved. If the Astros and Cubs are really battling this out, it’s funny that they’re also reportedly trying to swing a Ryan Pressly trade that would seemingly help the Astros create some financial flexibility as they try to re-sign their All-Star. If the Cubs were to land Bregman, perhaps they could then trade Nico Hoerner, potentially for bullpen help and/or prospects.

It really might be for the best. Gray is still probably an average starter, but he’s one with some injury issues, and he’s been pretty impressive in very limited bullpen usage in the 2023 postseason (1 ER, 8 K in 5 2/3 IP) and last season (1 ER, 10 K in 7 IP). He’d definitely have far more fantasy potential as a reliever. Still, it seems likely that he’ll remain in the rotation for now, at least until the Rangers can get a look at how their other veteran starters are shaping up.