MLB Player News

Pagan signed a one-year, $11 million contract with the Tigers on Tuesday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Pagan will head to Detroit on a deal that will pay him $1 million more than the $10 million mutual option he turned down with the Reds in October. The 35-year-old righty turned in a 3.38 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and a 45:11 K:BB over 42.2 innings in 2026 while converting 25 of his 28 save opportunities. Now that Kenley Jansen is a free agent, the door is wide open for Pagan to immediately slot in as the Tigers' new closer.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman revealed Tuesday that Fried underwent surgery recently to have a bone spur removed from his left elbow, Brendan Kuty of The Athletic reports.

Fried had two stints on the injured list this season due to a bone bruise in his pitching elbow, but it's unclear whether the surgery is related to that injury. Either way, Fried is expected to begin a throwing program in December and be ready for the start of spring training. Fried posted a 2.80 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 104:33 K:BB over 112.2 regular-season innings for the Yankees in 2026.

Anthony (finger) will be re-evaluated in a couple weeks, at which point he's likely to begin a range-of-motion and strengthening program, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Anthony is still working his way back from a torn ligament in his right ring finger, an injury he first suffered in May before aggravating in September. The current expectation is that Anthony does not need surgery to repair the injury, though it's possible that changes if he doesn't progress as hoped. Anthony collected a .245/.339/.396 batting line with five home runs in 55 contests for the Red Sox in 2026.

Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said Monday that it's "premature" to suggest Arias could win a starting job during spring training, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Breslow also refused to commit to Trevor Story as the club's starting shortstop, as he wants to keep his options open as he looks to upgrade the roster this offseason. Arias had a breakout offensive season in 2026, slashing .323/.400/.557 with 25 home runs, nine stolen bases and a 53:74 BB:K over 117 games between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester. It seems Arias has little left to prove in the minors, but he'll turn just 21 next week and is not yet on the 40-man roster.

Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow on Monday was noncommital when asked whether Story was the team's starting shortstop in 2027, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Story has one year and $25 million remaining on his contract (plus a $5 million buyout of a $25 million team option for 2028), and is coming off an injury-shortened 2026 campaign that saw him slash just .235/.271/.351 with five homers over 64 games. Slated to turn 34 on Sunday, Story has played fewer than 100 games in four of his first five seasons in Boston. Top prospect Franklin Arias is an option to take over at shortstop in 2027, possibly by Opening Day, but the Red Sox also haven't ruled out adding an upgrade at shortstop from outside the organization. If that happens, Story could shift to second base or the bench.

White Sox GM Chris Getz announced on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM on Tuesday that Smith will remain in the bullpen for 2027.

The 23-year-old was one of Chicago's top relievers as a rookie in 2026, posting a 1.29 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 41:16 K:BB across 28 regular-season innings. Grant Taylor is being shifted to the rotation after recording 10 saves, so Smith could have a chance to compete for the closer job if the White Sox don't make any significant additions to the back end of their bullpen this offseason. Similar to Taylor and Garrett Crochet previously, Smith could move back into the rotation down the line.

White Sox general manager Chris Getz said Tuesday on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM that Taylor will move into the rotation next season.

All 96 regular-season appearances for Taylor to this point in the majors have been either as a reliever or opener, but he's been a starting pitcher in the past and the White Sox are ready to reintroduce him to the role. Taylor logged a 2.25 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 106:30 K:BB over 84 regular-season frames in 2026, notching 10 saves along the way. He threw a total of 92.2 innings between the regular and postseason, so Taylor will have workload limitations in place in 2027, though it's unclear at this point what exactly that will look like.

McGonigle was named the 2026 American League Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year on Monday.

McGonigle earned 28 of the 30 available first-place votes on the way to Rookie of the Year honors. He put together a stellar first campaign as a big leaguer, slashing .278/.376/.430 with 18 home runs, 72 RBI, 12 stolen bases and 97 runs in 156 appearances. McGonigle managed this impressive offensive onslaught while splitting time between third base (94 starts) and shortstop (96 starts), while also occasionally occupying the DH slot (five starts).

General manager Craig Breslow noted Monday that Casas (wrist) could see at-bats in a winter league, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

Casas last appeared in the big leagues during the 2025 season before undergoing surgery to repair a ruptured patellar tendon and an intercostal strain. He then underwent arthroscopic wrist surgery on his left wrist in August, ending any chance of a return in 2026. If given a clean bill of health, Casas could have a chance to gain some confidence in his surgically-repaired wrist over the offseason before reporting for spring training ahead of the 2027 campaign.

Estrada signed a minor-league contract with the Blue Jays on Saturday and was invited to spring training, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.

Estrada gave up eight earned runs across 13 big-league innings with the Blue Jays this year but posted a 3.25 ERA and 1.06 WHIP over 36 innings at Triple-A Buffalo -- good enough for the Jays to keep him in the organization for another year. The 27-year-old will compete for a spot in Toronto's bullpen during the spring but is likely to spend most of his time at Buffalo.