MLB Player News
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Pablo Lopez SP | MIN
Twins' Pablo Lopez: Named Opening Day starter
Twins manager Rocco Baldelli named Lopez the team's Opening Day starter Wednesday, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
It's pretty early to be naming an Opening Day starter, but Baldelli chose to let the cat out of the bag during an interview on the Inside Twins podcast. Lopez had a relatively disappointing 2024, going 15-10 while posting a 4.08 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 198:41 K:BB over 185.1 innings. His xERA was 3.67, however, and he collected a 2.77 mark in 13 second-half starts.
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Taylor Walls 3B | TB
Rays' Taylor Walls: Avoids arbitration with Tampa Bay
The Rays and Walls avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.35 million contract with a $2.45 million club option for 2026 on Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
The buyout on the option is $50,000, so Walls is guaranteed at least $1.4 million. Walls, 28, slashed only .183/.282/.248 over 84 games for the Rays in 2024 but remains an excellent defender and should get ample time at shortstop in 2025.
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Will Klein RP | ATH
Mariners' Will Klein: Traded to Seattle
The Athletics traded Klein to the Mariners on Tuesday in exchange for international slot money.
After the trade, Klein was added to Seattle's 40-man roster. The right-hander was designated for assignment Friday, but he had the tools to drive interest of other clubs. The Mariners will be the hard thrower's third ball club after beginning his career with the Royals.
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Ron Marinaccio RP | CHW
White Sox's Ron Marinaccio: Designated for assignment
The White Sox designated Marinaccio for assignment Tuesday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
The club needed to free up a spot on its 40-man roster with the signing of Martin Perez becoming official. Marinaccio was a waiver claim late last season and hasn't made an appearance for the White Sox. The 29-year-old holds a 3.22 ERA and 137:61 K:BB over 114.2 relief innings at the big-league level and could draw interest via trade or waivers.
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Jose Quijada RP | LAA
Angels' Jose Quijada: Avoids arbitration with Halos
The Angels and Quijada avoided arbitration by agreeing to a $1.075 million contract Tuesday.
The deal also includes a $3.75 million club option for 2026. Quijada, 29, has missed much of the last two seasons while recovering from Tommy John surgery, but he returned in late July this past season and posted a 3.26 ERA and 24:17 K:BB over 19.1 innings. He could see some high-leverage relief work for the Angels in 2025.
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Donovan Solano 1B | SEA
Mariners' Donovan Solano: Expected to be used mostly at 1B
The Mariners plan to deploy Solano mostly at first base, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.
Solano could also be used some at third base, but he appears likely to see most of his action at first base as the short side of a platoon with Luke Raley. Seattle does not intend to use Solano at second base, per Kramer. The 37-year-old Solano slashed .286/.343/.417 with a career-high eight home runs over 96 regular-season contests for the Padres in 2024.
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Brandon Eisert RP | TOR
Blue Jays' Brandon Eisert: DFA'd by Toronto
Eisert was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays on Monday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Eisert was booted from the 40-man roster to make room for the signing of Anthony Santander. Eisert made three appearances in the big leagues a season ago and figures to compete for an Opening Day roster spot in camp.
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Anthony Santander RF | TOR
Blue Jays' Anthony Santander: Agrees to deal with Toronto
The Blue Jays have agreed to a five-year, $92.5 million contract with Santander, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
The deal includes an opt-out after 2027 season that can be voided if a 2030 club option is exercised. If the latter occurs, the total value of the contract would reach $110 million. It's a much-needed "win" for Toronto, as it has been in the running to sign numerous big free agents the last couple years but routinely has come up short. Santander is coming off a 2024 season which saw him slash .235/.308/.506 with 44 home runs, 91 runs and 102 RBI in 155 regular-season games with the Orioles. He will likely see plenty of starts both in left field and in the designated hitter slot.
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Anthony Misiewicz RP | NYY
Twins' Anthony Misiewicz: Finds work with Minnesota
Misiewicz signed a minor-league contract with the Twins on Saturday that includes an invitation to spring training, Darren Wolfson of Channel 5 Saint Paul reports.
Misiewicz appeared in just one game for the Yankees last season while spending most of the year in Triple-A, where he finished with a 3.90 ERA and 1.29 WHIP over 55.1 innings. He'll attempt to win a spot in the Twins' bullpen during spring training, but there's a better chance he begins the year with Triple-A St. Paul.