MLB Player News
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Austin Pope P | ARI
Braves' Austin Pope: Signs MiLB deal with Atlanta
Atlanta signed Pope to a minor-league contract Nov. 30.
Pope made his major-league debut in 2025 with one scoreless appearance for the Diamondbacks before electing free agency last month after he was removed from the 40-man roster. The 27-year-old held a 4.60 ERA and 34:10 K:BB across 29.1 frames with Triple-A Reno and will likely begin the 2026 season at Triple-A Gwinnett.
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Tommy Henry SP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Tommy Henry: Back with Arizona on NRI deal
The Diamondbacks re-signed Henry (elbow) to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training Monday.
Henry was non-tendered by Arizona last month, but the two sides have reunited on a minor-league pact. The left-hander missed much of 2025 due to injury and could be out for all of next season following Tommy John surgery in June. Henry holds a career 5.07 ERA over 37 appearances (32 starts) at the big-league level.
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Owen Caissie OF | CHC
Cubs' Owen Caissie: Expected to get regular reps
The Cubs are currently projecting regular playing time for Caissie next season, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.
The club would also like to give Moises Ballesteros a chance to play regularly, though one of Caissie, Ballesteros and Seiya Suzuki will have to sit out most days. Caissie has nothing left to prove at Triple-A Iowa, having slashed .281/.380/.507 there over the last two seasons. He struggled in a cup of coffee with the Cubs, going 5-for-26 with 11 strikeouts, but is viewed as the team's top prospect.
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Casey Schmitt SS | SF
Giants' Casey Schmitt: Recovering from wrist surgery
Schmitt underwent surgery on his left wrist Tuesday and was given a rehab timeline of 8-to-10 weeks, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
The 26-year-old could be limited for the start of spring training in February but should have plenty of time to get back to full health before Opening Day. Schmitt played in 95 games for the Giants last season and clubbed 12 home runs with a .237/.305/.401 slash line in 348 plate appearances. He should be in the mix to start at second base to begin 2026 but is likely better suited for more of a utility role.
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Danny Young RP | ATL
Braves' Danny Young: Inks split contract with Atlanta
Atlanta signed Young (elbow) to a one-year contract Tuesday.
It's a split contract for Young, who will miss at least the first half of the 2026 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. The left-handed reliever holds a career 4.01 ERA and 78:25 K:BB over 60.2 innings covering parts of four major-league seasons, which includes stints in Atlanta in 2022 and 2023.
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Devin Williams RP | NYM
Mets' Devin Williams: Joining Mets on three-year deal
Williams agreed to a three-year contract with the Mets on Monday, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.
Williams will remain in New York but is headed to Queens following Monday's signing. The 31-year-old had his fair share of struggles with the Yankees during the 2025 campaign, ending the year with four blown saves in 22 chances and ultimately losing his grip on the closer's role. He finished the regular season with a 4.79 ERA and 1.13 WHIP with a 90:25 K:BB across 62.0 frames. Williams will receive a fresh start with the Mets on a deal that will guarantee him more than $50 million, per Jeff Passan of ESPN.com.
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Enmanuel Valdez 2B | PIT
Pirates' Enmanuel Valdez: Back in action in winter ball
Valdez (shoulder) has returned to game action with the Estrellas Orientales in the Dominican Winter League, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.
Valdez underwent season-ending surgery in May to repair a dislocated left shoulder, but he's played three winter ball games and smacked a grand slam in his third contest for Estrellas on Sunday. Slated to turn 27 later this month, Valdez slashed .209/.294/.363 with two home runs and an 11:16 BB:K over 102 plate appearances for Pittsburgh before getting hurt. It seems Valdez will ready to roll for the start of spring training and he'll compete for a spot on the Pirates' Opening Day roster in 2026.
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Nicky Lopez 3B | ARI
Rockies' Nicky Lopez: Nets NRI deal with Rockies
The Rockies signed Lopez to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training Monday, Kevin Henry of The Denver Gazette reports.
Lopez spent most of the 2025 season in the minors but did see action in 18 games between the Cubs and Angels, going just 1-for-24 at the plate. Most of Lopez's experience is at second base, and the Rockies have an opening at that position, but if the 30-year-old manages to crack the Opening Day roster, it will likely be in a reserve infielder role.
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Jake McCarthy RF | ARI
Diamondbacks' Jake McCarthy: Potential trade candidate
According to sources, McCarthy or Alek Thomas will likely be traded during the offseason, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.
The Diamondbacks would experience a cost savings by moving one of these arbitration-eligible center fielders and using a younger player as the backup. McCarthy has been the more dangerous hitter, while Thomas is considered the better glove. Among the potential replacements are Blaze Alexander, Jorge Barrosa and Tim Tawa. Jordan Lawlar, who is blocked at shortstop by Geraldo Perdomo and didn't handle third base well during a September cameo in 2025, has played a handful of games in center field during winter ball and is also an option.
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Alek Thomas CF | ARI
Diamondbacks' Alek Thomas: Could be traded
According to sources, Thomas or Jake McCarthy will likely be traded during the offseason, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.
The Diamondbacks haven't determined which player will stay or go, but there are cost savings to be had. Thomas is considered the better defender while McCarthy has been more productive with a bat in hand, but neither has taken hold of the everyday job in center field. Potential replacements include Blaze Alexander, Jorge Barrosa and Tim Tawa. Jordan Lawlar, who has played a handful of games in center field during winter ball, is also an option.