MLB Player News
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Nick Raposo C | TOR
Blue Jays' Nick Raposo: Designated for assignment
The Blue Jays designated Raposo for assignment Friday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
The Blue Jays claimed Raposo off waivers from St. Louis in early August, and he went on to slash .246/.361/.311 with five RBI over 20 games with Triple-A Buffalo. He'll be stripped of his 40-man roster spot to create room for Yimi Garcia, who officially signed a two-year deal with Toronto on Friday, though Raposo will likely remain with the club as organizational depth behind the plate.
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Michael Fulmer RP | BOS
Red Sox's Michael Fulmer: Could be stretched out to start
Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said Tuesday that Fulmer (elbow) could be used as a starting pitcher in 2025, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
Fulmer missed the 2024 season while recovering from UCL revision surgery and has been used as a reliever almost exclusively since 2021. He was a starter in his first four big-league seasons, however, and while it's much likelier that he'll ultimately settle into a relief role, it doesn't hurt to stretch him out a bit to give the Red Sox options. Fulmer is expected to be ready for spring training.
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Cam Smith 3B | CHC
Astros' Cam Smith: Sent to Houston in Tucker trade
The Astros acquired Smith, Isaac Paredes and Hayden Wesneski from the Cubs on Friday in exchange for Kyle Tucker, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
The 14th overall pick in the 2024 First-Year Player Draft, Smith debuted in pro ball with a .313/.396/.609 slash line and seven home runs over 32 games across three levels. He finished the year at Double-A Tennessee and will likely begin the 2025 campaign at Double-A Corpus Christi, with a debut by late 2025 or 2026 possible.
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Hayden Wesneski RP | HOU
Astros' Hayden Wesneski: Goes to Houston in Tucker trade
The Astros acquired Wesneski, Isaac Paredes and Cam Smith from the Cubs on Friday in exchange for Kyle Tucker, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Wesneski put up a 3.86 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 67:21 K:BB over 67.2 innings with the Cubs this past season, splitting time between the rotation and bullpen. He'll surely be stretched out during spring training, but the right-hander's ultimate role next season could depend on what other moves Houston makes this winter.
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Isaac Paredes 3B | HOU
Astros' Isaac Paredes: Headed to Houston
The Astros acquired Paredes, Hayden Wesneski and Cam Smith from the Cubs on Friday in exchange for Kyle Tucker, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
The Astros reportedly tried to trade for Paredes at the deadline before he went to the Cubs, but they've now got their man after his pit stop in Chicago. Paredes slashed a pedestrian .238/.346/.393 with 19 home runs in 2024 between the Rays and Cubs, but his pull-heavy swing is perfect for his new home park, giving him a good chance to bounce back in the power department in 2025. Currently, Paredes would be in line to play third base for the Astros, but he could shift over to first base if the club re-signs Alex Bregman.
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Devin Williams RP | NYY
Yankees' Devin Williams: Headed to Yankees
The Yankees acquired Williams from the Brewers on Friday in exchange for Nestor Cortes, Caleb Durbin and cash considerations, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Williams was limited to just 21.2 regular-season innings in 2024 due to back problems, but he finished the year healthy and was his usual, dominant self when on the mound, posting a 1.25 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 38:11 K:BB. He's set to make around around $8 million in 2025 in his final year of arbitration eligibility and will give the Yankees an upper echelon closer. Luke Weaver will shift to a setup role.
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Roansy Contreras SP | TEX
Rangers' Roansy Contreras: Booted from 40-man roster
Contreras was designated for assignment by the Rangers on Thursday.
The Rangers claimed Contreras off waivers October 31, but he's now been removed from the 40-man roster before throwing a pitch. He could still compete for a roster spot in spring training if he passes through waivers unclaimed, though it looks unlikely that he'll play a significant role for the team to begin 2025.
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Dan Altavilla RP | KC
White Sox's Dan Altavilla: Gets NRI from ChiSox
Altavilla signed a minor-league contract with the White Sox on Thursday and received an invitation to spring training.
Altavilla made five appearances for the Royals in 2024, giving up six earned runs over just 3.2 innings while striking out five batters and walking three. Most of his time was spent in Triple-A, however, where he logged a 3.51 ERA and 1.34 WHIP over 41 frames. The lack of depth in Chicago's bullpen will give the 32-year-old righty better odds at cracking the Opening Day roster, but Triple-A Charlotte remains his most likely destination.
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Kyle Wright SP | KC
Royals' Kyle Wright: Hopes to be 100 percent for spring
Wright (shoulder) hopes to be fully healthy for spring training and compete for a spot in the Royals' rotation, Jaylon Thompson of the Kansas City Star reports.
Wright underwent surgery in October of 2023 to repair a torn capsule in his right shoulder. He's now more than a year removed from that operation, and in October he touched 90 mph during a bullpen session. That's a far cry from the 95.1 mph Wright averaged with his four-seamer during his breakout 2022 campaign when he won 21 games and posted a 3.19 ERA, but the hope is that his velocity will continue to tick up as he further distances himself from surgery. It's no guarantee his stuff will bounce back as he returns from a major shoulder procedure, but Wright will be one to keep a close eye on during spring training.
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Darren McCaughan SP | MIA
Twins' Darren McCaughan: MiLB contract with Minnesota
The Twins signed McCaughan to a minor-league contract Dec. 4.
McCaughan, 28, held a 6.21 ERA over 42 innings between the Marlins and Guardians in 2024. The right-hander has experience as a starter and a reliever, and it's unclear which role the Twins have planned for him, but he'll likely begin the 2025 season at Triple-A St. Paul.