MLB Player News

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that Garcia could play some second base next season, and third base is a possibility, as well, YES Network reports.

Second base was Garcia's primary position for his first five major-league seasons, but he consistently graded as a poor defender and in 2026 made a full-time move to first base, where he graded out as above average. The Yankees have a clear opening at second base, and potentially third base, as well. While it seems unlikely Garcia would play either of those spots on a full-time basis, he could be used there enough to regain eligibility in fantasy leagues. Garcia slashed .277/.309/.521 with 30 home runs and 92 RBI over 147 regular-season games between the Nationals and Yankees in 2026. He will be eligible for salary arbitration for a final time this winter.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that Fried had his left elbow re-imaged and his UCL is in a good spot heading into the offseason, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Fried made two trips to the injured list this season due to a bone bruise in his pitching elbow. However, he ended the campaign healthy, and there are no concerns about the pitcher's ligament entering the winter. Fried was limited to 20 regular-season starts in 2026 but was highly effective when on the mound, logging a 2.80 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 104:33 K:BB over 112.2 innings. The 2027 season will be the third year of Fried's eight-year, $218 million contract.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Wednesday that Judge has a follow-up exam scheduled with Dr. Gregory Pearl regarding his rib, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

A calf strain prematurely ended his season, but Judge missed more than three months of action during the regular season with a stress fracture in his ribs. Cashman noted that the team feels like it's "in a good place" with Judge's injury and they expect the slugger to be ready to go for spring training. Barring any surprises, Judge should receive clearance from Dr. Pearl to go through his normal offseason workouts.

Walcott has been going through drills in the outfield and aims to start a game there before the end of the Arizona Fall League, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Shortstop is Walcott's primary position, and he's also seen some action at third base. He's never played the outfield in pro ball, but it would offer an alternate path to playing time if the Rangers keep Corey Seager at shortstop. Walcott missed much of the 2026 season while recovering from internal brace surgery, but he slashed .325/.401/.590 in 41 games after returning and is hitting .259/.333/.444 in his first seven AFL contests. The top prospect will not turn 21 until March, but Walcott is expected to debut in 2027, and perhaps sooner rather than later.

The Orioles re-signed Sandridge (undisclosed) to a minor-league contract Tuesday, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Sandridge made six relief appearances for Triple-A Norfolk in 2026 before an undisclosed injury ended his season in early May. It's unclear what the lefty's current health status is, but he will be back in the Orioles organization in 2027. Sandridge's lone appearance in the majors came in 2025 with the Yankees, when he allowed two runs while recording just two outs.

Caminero went 2-for-3 with a walk, a two-run homer and an additional run scored in Game 6 of the ALCS versus Cleveland on Monday.

The 23-year-old extended Tampa Bay's lead to 5-1 with a two-run shot in the seventh inning, which was his first home of the postseason. Caminero entered the contest with a .636 OPS through eight playoff games, but his Game 6 performance boosted his slash line to .273/.351/.455 in 43 plate appearances. With the Rays now headed to the World Series, he may have found his power stroke just in time.

Diaz went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Game 6 of the ALCS against the Guardians on Monday.

Diaz now has an extra-base hit in four straight contests, going 7-for-18 with three doubles, two homers, four RBI and five runs during that span. The 35-year-old's homer Monday provided some key insurance runs late, pushing Tampa Bay's lead to 7-3 in the eighth inning to help secure a World Series berth. Diaz has a .906 OPS in 41 plate appearances during the postseason.

Peralta was named the MVP of the ALCS after picking up the win in Game 6 against the Guardians on Monday. He allowed one run on five hits and three walks while striking out three over 5.1 innings.

Peralta delivered a pair of strong starts in the ALCS, resulting in two victories. Before taking the mound to clinch the series Monday, the 30-year-old right-hander earned the win in Game 2, fanning six across six scoreless innings of work in a 3-1 victory. Peralta also recorded two outs without allowing a run in Game 4 out of the bullpen. He'll now set his sights on facing his former club in the World Series and could line up for a start in Game 2 on Saturday.

Armstong will serve as the Guardians' opener Monday in Game 6 of the ALCS versus the Rays, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

It will be the third appearance in as many days for Armstrong, who tossed 1.1 scoreless frames in Game 5 and another scoreless inning in Game 4. He's been lights out this postseason, allowing only two hits with a 6:0 K:BB over 7.2 scoreless frames.

Wells said earlier this month that he believes "the culmination of multiple blows to the head" affected his production in the first half, Brendan Kuty of The Athletic reports.

Wells took a foul tip to the mask April 23 and another one two weeks after that. While he was able to pass concussion testing, the catcher had symptoms and eventually landed on the 10-day injured list in early June with cervical headaches. Wells felt healthy after returning and had a .787 OPS with eight home runs after the All-Star break (as compared to a .504 OPS and six home runs in the first half). The 27-year-old is currently slated to open the 2027 campaign as the Yankees' top catcher, though it's possible the team seeks help from outside the organization.