MLB Player News
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Ryan Fitzgerald 3B | MIN
Twins' Ryan Fitzgerald: Booted off 40-man roster
The Twins designated Fitzgerald for assignment Friday.
The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Eric Wagaman, who was acquired via trade. Fitzgerald reached the majors for the first time in 2025 shortly before turning 31, finishing with a .196/.302/.457 batting line with four home runs in 24 games for the Twins. He's a versatile defender, which could mean there will be interest in Fitzgerald on waivers.
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Anthony Rendon 3B | LAA
Angels' Anthony Rendon: Agrees to buyout with Angels
The Angels and Rendon (hip) have agreed to a contract buyout that will end his tenure with the club, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.
The $38 million Rendon is owed in his final year under contract will be deferred 3-to-5 years, though it's unclear exactly what the structure of the buyout will be. Rendon -- who is recovering from hip surgery -- will not officially retire but will officially remain on the Angels' roster in 2026, although he's not expected to play and will likely spend the season on the 60-day IL. The 35-year-old slashed .242/.348/.369 and never played more than 58 games during any of his five seasons with the Angels.
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Coby Mayo 3B | BAL
Orioles' Coby Mayo: Could be tried at other positions
Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias said over the weekend that Mayo could play some third base and/or be tried at the corner outfield positions in 2026, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
Mayo came up through the minors primarily as a third baseman, but he didn't play an inning there from June on this past season. The 24-year-old has never played the outfield in pro ball. Mayo's long-term defensive home is almost surely first base, but the Orioles are overcrowded there with Pete Alonso, Samuel Basallo and Ryan Mountcastle also around. The best thing for Mayo's fantasy prospects in 2026 would be a trade to a team where he can play regularly, but for now the Orioles are keeping their options open with where he might fit onto the major-league roster.
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Justyn-Henry Malloy 3B | TB
Tigers' Justyn-Henry Malloy: Designated for assignment
Malloy was designated for assignment by the Tigers on Saturday.
The Tigers needed to make room on the 40-man roster for recent re-signee Kyle Finnegan, and Malloy has ended up being the cut. Malloy has struggled during his time in the majors so far, posting a .656 OPS with nine home runs, 38 RBI, 33 runs and one stolen base over 123 games spanning 357 plate appearances. He's also posted a 32.8 percent strikeout rate, though he has shown an ability to take a free pass with a 12.0 percent walk rate. That and his moderate power could make him a target on waivers for other MLB clubs.
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Jhonkensy Noel OF | BAL
Guardians' Jhonkensy Noel: Booted from 40-man roster
The Guardians designated Noel for assignment Wednesday.
The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Justin Bruihl. Noel has slugged 19 home runs across 351 plate appearances at the major-league level, but that's come with a .193/.242/.401 batting line, 32.8 percent strikeout rate and 4.8 percent walk rate. That said, he's just 24 years, and with his power potential, Noel should interest via trade or waivers.
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Amed Rosario SS | NYY
Yankees' Amed Rosario: Sticking with Yankees
Rosario signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Yankees on Saturday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
Rosario appeared in just 16 regular-season games after being traded from the Nationals to the Yankees, going 10-for-33 with a homer and five RBI. The 30-year-old will now return to the Bronx and provide the Pinstripes with a bench piece who is capable of playing nearly every defensive position. Rosario slashed .302/.328/.491 against southpaws in 2025.
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Maikel Garcia 3B | KC
Royals' Maikel Garcia: Signs five-year contract extension
The Royals and Garcia (hamstring) avoided arbitration by agreeing to a five-year contract extension with a club option for 2031 on Friday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Anne Rogers of MLB.com says the deal is worth a guaranteed $57.5 million and can reach $85 million if he hits escalators and the option is exercised. Garcia had been eligible for salary arbitration for the first time as a Super 2 qualifier, but his new deal with cover all arbitration years and at least one year of free agency. Slated to turn 26 in March, Garcia had a breakout 2025 season, slashing .286/.351/.449 with 16 home runs and 23 stolen bases while capturing his first American League Gold Glove award. The third baseman recently strained his hamstring while playing in the Venezuelan Winter League, but he should be fine for the beginning of spring training.
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Maikel Garcia 3B | KC
Royals' Maikel Garcia: Strains hamstring in winter ball
Garcia suffered a strained hamstring Sunday while playing for Tiburones de La Guaira in the Venezuelan Winter League, Marcos Grunfeld of El Emergente reports.
Garcia will wait to hear back from the Royals about either returning to winter ball at a later date or shutting things down. At the very least, he is expected to be sidelined for the next week or so. Garcia had a breakout 2025 campaign for Kansas City, slashing .286/.351/.449 with 16 home runs and 23 stolen bases over 160 games.
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Isaac Paredes 3B | HOU
Astros' Isaac Paredes: To be 'full-go' for spring training
Astros general manager Dana Brown said Monday that Paredes (hamstring) will be "full-go" at the start of spring training, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Brown said during last month's general managers' meetings that Paredes wasn't fully recovered from his right hamstring tear and that the infielder likely wouldn't be 100 percent by spring training. Now, however, Brown seems confident that Paredes will not have any limitations when camp opens. Paredes should have an everyday role for Houston in 2026 -- assuming he's not traded -- though it's not yet clear what position he will play.
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Anthony Rendon 3B | LAA
Angels' Anthony Rendon: Expected to retire following buyout
The Angels and Rendon (hip) are in talks to buy out the final year of his seven-year, $245 million contract, Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com reports.
Rendon is expected to agree to defer at least some of the $38 million he is owed in 2026, and, once the buyout is finalized, the 35-year-old is expected to retire. It will spell the end of one of the worst free-agent contracts in baseball history, as Rendon has slashed .242/.348/.369 and never played more than 58 games during his five seasons with the Angels. He missed most of the 2025 campaign following left hip surgery. Even after the dreadful tenure with the Halos, Rendon will still finish with a career .280/.364/.464 batting line with 158 home runs over 12 major-league seasons. He made one All-Star team, finished in the top-10 in National League MVP voting four times and won a World Series in 2019 with the Nationals.