MLB Player News
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Paxton Schultz P | TOR
Nationals' Paxton Schultz: Claimed by Nationals
The Nationals claimed Schultz off waivers from the Blue Jays on Friday.
Schultz reached the majors with the Jays in 2025 for the first time, finishing with a 4.38 ERA and 28:8 K:BB over 24.2 innings. The 28-year-old has past starting experience but has worked mostly as a reliever the last two years. Schultz will compete for a spot in the Nationals' bullpen.
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Ryan Fitzgerald 3B | MIN
Dodgers' Ryan Fitzgerald: Grabbed on waivers by Dodgers
The Dodgers claimed Fitzgerald off waivers from the Twins on Friday, Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com reports.
Fitzgerald had been booted off the Twins' 40-man roster last week and is now headed to the back-to-back World Series champs. A 31-year-old utility infielder, Fitzgerald slashed .196/.302/.457 with four home runs in 24 games for the Twins and slashed .277/.367/.469 in 59 contests with Triple-A St. Paul. He'll compete for a reserve role in spring training but is likely ticketed for Triple-A Oklahoma City.
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Ketel Marte 2B | ARI
Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte: Will not be traded by Diamondbacks
The Diamondbacks will not trade Marte this offseason, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.
The Diamondbacks have fielded trade interest in Marte throughout the offseason, but general manager Mike Hazen indicated recently that there was a soft deadline at which point the club would no longer consider offers, and evidently it's reached that point. Marte slashed .283/.376/.517 with 28 home runs in 2025 and is owed $102.5 million over the next six seasons. He'll be back at second base for Arizona to begin 2026.
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Pavin Smith RF | ARI
Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith: Agrees to terms with D-Backs
Smith (quadriceps) signed a one-year, $2.25 million deal with the Diamondbacks to avoid arbitration Thursday, Jack Sommers of DBacks on SI reports.
Smith missed nearly the entire second half of the 2025 season due to a combination of oblique and quadriceps injuries. He'll likely begin the 2026 campaign on the strong side of a platoon at first base, assuming he returns to good health.
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A.J. Puk RP | ARI
Diamondbacks' A.J. Puk: Agrees to deal
Puk (elbow) agreed to a one-year, $3.1 million deal with the Diamondbacks to avoid arbitration Thursday, Jack Sommers of DBacks on SI reports.
Puk was limited to only eight appearances in 2025 and underwent Tommy John surgery in mid-June. He's expected to miss most of 2026 but might be able to contribute down the stretch if he can avoid any setbacks in his rehab program.
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Ryne Nelson SP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Ryne Nelson: Reaches deal with Arizona
Nelson and the Diamondbacks agreed to a one-year, $3 million contract to avoid arbitration Thursday, Jack Sommers of DBacks on SI.com reports.
Nelson was arbitration eligible for the first time and is set for a $2.2 million raise from last season. He posted career-best results in 2025 and is poised to be a key member of Arizona's rotation for the upcoming campaign.
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Jake McCarthy RF | ARI
Diamondbacks' Jake McCarthy: Agrees to $1.5 million deal
McCarthy agreed to a one-year, $1.5 million deal with the Diamondbacs to avoid arbitration Thursday, Jack Sommers of DBacks on SI reports.
McCarthy has been mentioned as a trade candidate this offseason, but he's stuck with the Diamondbacks thus far. He currently projects to serve on the strong side of a platoon in left field, though he'll need to improve significantly to retain that role after posting a 60 wRC+ across 222 plate appearances in 2025.
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Kevin Ginkel RP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Kevin Ginkel: Reaches deal with D-Backs
Ginkel (shoulder) agreed to a one-year, $2.7 million deal with the Diamondbacks to avoid arbitration Thursday, Jack Sommers of DBacks of SI reports.
Ginkel is in the final year of arbitration eligibility, and he earned a modest raise of $300,000 from 2025. He was shut down for the season in early August, and it's unclear whether he'll be ready to throw at the start of spring training. If healthy, he should be in the closer mix for Arizona.
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Javier Assad RP | CHC
Cubs' Javier Assad: Set to earn $1.8 million
Assad and the Cubs agreed to a one-year, $1.8 million deal to avoid arbitration Thursday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Assad was eligible for arbitration for the first time in his career, and he'll get a $1 million raise relative to his 2025 salary. He missed most of last year with an oblique injury and looks likely to begin the new campaign working out of the bullpen, barring significant injuries to the Cubs' rotation.