MLB Player News

The Dodgers claimed Siani off waivers from the Yankees on Tuesday.

Siani went from the Dodgers to the Yankees via waivers in January and is now headed back in the other direction. The slick-fielding center fielder is a career .221/.277/.270 hitter at the big-league level and will likely begin the season at Triple-A Oklahoma City if he's still in the Dodgers organization at that point.

The Brewers signed Adams to a minor-league contract Tuesday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Adams went hitless in five plate appearances for the Orioles and slashed only .213/.291/.379 at Triple-A Norfolk in 2025. The 26-year-old is a tremendous athlete but has been unable to find a foothold in the majors. Adams is likely ticketed for Triple-A Nashville to begin the upcoming season.

Alcantara (abdomen), who figures to compete for an Opening Day roster spot during spring training, will have another minor-league option this year, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

It was previously reported that Alcantara would be out of options this year, but the Cubs now have a little more flexibility with the 23-year-old outfielder, who spent most of last season with Triple-A Iowa. Either way, Alcantara figures to compete for a reserve outfield spot in camp, and he could even push for a larger role now that Kyle Tucker is gone. Alcantara had core-muscle surgery back in October, though he's expected to be fully healthy for spring training. The youngster has plenty of upside heading into 2026 and could be a breakout candidate if the playing time is there.

The Cardinals acquired Ledbetter from the Rays on Monday as part of a three-team trade involving the Mariners, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

A second-round pick in the 2023 Draft, Ledbetter slashed .265/.337/.378 with seven home runs and 37 stolen bases over 123 contests at Double-A Montgomery in 2025. The 24-year-old has seen time in center field, but he's not as fast as his stolen base totals indicate and he fits better in a corner, which will put more pressure on him to get to all of his average raw power in games.

Betts said Saturday that he's spent the offseason "rewiring" his body after falling into bad habits during a down season offensively in 2025, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Betts' .318 wOBA last season was easily the worst of his career. The cause of his regression at the plate, Betts believes, was twofold: the preparation for becoming a full-time shortstop threw off his normal routine, and an early-season stomach virus that caused him to lose 20 pounds sapped his strength and led to bad habits. Betts said he's now "in a really good spot" as he looks to bounce back in 2026 in his age-33 campaign. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicated over the weekend that "you could certainly see" Betts batting third this season behind Shohei Ohtani and Kyle Tucker, though nothing is set in stone yet in regard to the lineup.

Smith could face competition at first base with the Diamondbacks interested free agent Carlos Santana, according to John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports.

Smith heads into spring training as the putative starter at first base against right-handers, but the organization isn't done adding pieces. Arizona general manager Mike Hazen told Steve Gilbert of MLB.com that he'd like find another "complementary first baseman." Santana is a switch hitter that could fit in a platoon with Smith while also supplanting him from the left side. Gambadoro's report also indicates that the team is talking with other free agent first basemen, including former D-back Paul Goldschmidt.

Waldschmidt received an invite to major-league training camp, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.

The Diamondbacks revealed their 2026 spring training roster Friday, and it included Waldschmidt, the club's top prospect. With Lourdes Gurriel (knee) expected to miss the first three months of the season, Waldschmidt should get significant playing time in left field this spring. Earlier in the offseason, Arizona general manager Mike Hazen suggested one of the team's prospects could break camp on the active roster, and many believed the GM was referring to Waldschmidt. The 23-year-old outfielder played all three outfield spots in the minors last year and could get work in center field, too, while Alek Thomas represents Mexico in the World Baseball Classic. Waldschmidt, who is not currently on the 40-man roster, reached Double-A Amarillo in 2025 and posted a .921 OPS over 66 games.

Bleday still has a minor-league option remaining, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Bleday was signed as a free agent this offseason, and the option gives the organization flexibility when finalizing its Opening Day roster. In publishing a first attempt at a roster projection, Rosecrans included the lefty-hitting outfielder on the active roster but did not pencil him into the projected starting lineup. Bleday, who can play all three outfield spots, is best suited and most likely to see time in left field. Will Benson, another lefty batter that has an option remaining, is slotted in left field against right-handers while Spencer Steer gets the nod against lefties. The Reds are hoping Bleday returns to his 2024 form, which saw him belt 20 home runs with a .761 OPS over 159 games for the Athletics.

The Marlins signed Johnson to a minor-league contract Dec. 29 that includes an invitation to big-league spring training.

Johnson received 57 plate appearances between the Giants and Orioles in 2025, finishing with a .548 OPS. The 30-year-old can handle all three outfield spots and will provide experienced depth at Triple-A Jacksonville, barring his surprising inclusion on the Opening Day roster.

Nootbaar (heels) opening the season on the injured list is "fair to assume" until he shows he can play in games at full speed, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Nootbaar underwent surgery in early October to address deformities on both of his heels. It's possible the outfielder looks good in camp and is ready to go Opening Day, but the likelier scenario is the rebuilding Cardinals err on the side of caution and ease Nootbaar into things. More will be known during spring training about the progress of his recovery. If Nootbaar does need an IL stint and Brendan Donovan is still with the team, Donovan could slide out to start in left field. Nathan Church could handle left field if Nootbaar isn't ready and Donovan is traded.