February 4, 2026
The Pittsburgh Pirates announced on Wednesday that they signed free-agent right-hander
Mike Clevinger to a minor-league deal that includes a non-roster invitation to major-league spring training, according to Jason Mackey of PG Sports Now. Clevinger, a nine-year MLB veteran, appeared in only eight games in relief in 2025 for the Chicago White Sox and was not effective, allowing five earned runs on five hits while walking eight and striking out three. The 35-year-old veteran was then sent to Triple-A Charlotte, where he remained for the rest of the season. The strength of the Pirates' major-league roster is their starting rotation, so Clevinger is an extreme long shot to get an opportunity as a starter for the Bucs at any point this coming season. Expect him to start at Triple-A Indianapolis if he sticks with the team after spring training.
--Keith HernandezSource: PG Sports Now - Jason Mackey
February 4, 2026
Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said on the Tiger Territory podcast that he sees relievers
Kenley Jansen,
Will Vest, and
Kyle Finnegan all getting save opportunities in 2026, but he named Jansen as the favorite for most of the closing work since he is 24 saves from reaching the 500-save mark for his career. The 38-year-old veteran was signed to a one-year, $9 million deal in free agency after posting a 2.59 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and 29 saves for the Los Angeles Angels in 2025. Hinch said he's not afraid to use any of his three high-leverage relief arms earlier in the game, if necessary, and he's also not opposed to changing up the save hierarchy at any point if it makes sense. Jansen's strikeout rate dropped to a career-low 24.4% last year, and although he was still effective, he has less room for error going forward and will most likely be on a short leash in Detroit. Jansen is ranked as the No. 15 fantasy closer at RotoBaller.
--Keith HernandezSource: Tiger Territory
February 4, 2026
Free-agent infielder
Isiah Kiner-Falefa and the Boston Red Sox agreed to an undisclosed one-year deal on Wednesday, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN. Kiner-Falefa will remain in the American League East after ending last season with the Toronto Blue Jays. The utility infielder started the 2025 campaign with the Pittsburgh Pirates before being waived in August after he hit .264/.300/.332 with a home run, 35 RBI, 40 runs scored, and 15 stolen bases in 119 games. He only played in 19 regular-season games in Toronto, going 7-for-30 (.233) with a homer and five RBI. The 30-year-old has never hit more than eight home runs in his eight big-league seasons and hasn't hit the 20-steal mark since 2022 with the New York Yankees. In Beantown, Kiner-Falefa will likely operate in a utility role, leaving him little fantasy appeal in deeper leagues outside of his positional versatility.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
February 4, 2026
The St. Louis Cardinals signed free-agent first baseman
Bligh Madris to a minor-league deal on Wednesday, according to Chase Ford of MiLB Central. Madris has 247 extra-base hits and 403 RBI in his minor-league career. The 29-year-old was taken in the ninth round in 2017 out of Colorado Mesa University by the Pittsburgh Pirates, and he made his big-league debut with the Bucs in 2022, going 20-for-113 (.177) at the plate with a homer, seven RBI, 10 runs, two steals, 10 walks, and 31 strikeouts in 39 games and 123 plate appearances. Madris played in 12 games with the Houston Astros in 2023 and hit a career-high .269 (18-for-67) with a homer and five RBI in 21 games with the Detroit Tigers in 2024. He hit .232/.320/.384 with five homers in 50 games with Triple-A Toledo in 2025. Expect Madris to open the 2026 campaign at Triple-A Memphis.
--Keith HernandezSource: MiLB Central - Chase Ford
February 4, 2026
The Boston Red Sox announced on Wednesday that they claimed catcher/infielder
Mickey Gasper off waivers from the Washington Nationals. Gasper will return to the team with which he made his major-league debut in 2024, although he appeared in just 13 games and was hitless with eight strikeouts in 23 plate appearances. The 30-year-old appeared in 45 games last season with the Minnesota Twins and slashed just .158/.257/.232 with a .488 OPS, two home runs, 11 RBI, 15 runs scored, and two steals in 110 plate appearances. In addition to catcher, Gasper can play first base, second base, and the outfield. He has minor-league options remaining, so he will most likely open the 2026 campaign at Triple-A Worcester as catching depth behind
Carlos Narvaez and
Connor Wong.
--Keith HernandezSource: Boston Red Sox
February 4, 2026
The New York Yankees claimed outfielder
Yanquiel Fernandez off waivers from the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday, sources told Francys Romero. Fernandez was designated for assignment by the Rockies last week. The 23-year-old Cuban outfielder made his major-league debut with Colorado in 2025 and hit .225/.265/.348 with a .613 OPS, four home runs, 11 RBI, 13 runs scored, eight walks, and 44 strikeouts in 52 games and 147 plate appearances. While Fernandez will begin the 2026 campaign in the minors, he'll be an intriguing name to watch if he eventually makes his way to the Bronx because of his raw power from the left side of the plate. Fernandez has hit .279/.336/.478 with an .813 OPS, 77 home runs, and 338 RBI in 469 games over five minor-league seasons in the Rockies' system.
--Keith HernandezSource: Francys Romero
February 4, 2026
The San Francisco Giants signed free-agent right-hander
Michael Fulmer to a minor-league deal with a non-roster invitation to major-league spring training, according to the team. The 32-year-old veteran and former American League Rookie of the Year back in 2016 with the Detroit Tigers only appeared in three games (all in relief) in 2025 with the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs, throwing 5 2/3 innings. In 66 1/3 innings in the minors, he had a 3.39 ERA with 86 strikeouts and 29 walks. Fulmer has eight years of big-league experience with four different teams and has appeared in 265 games (90 starts), but he'll merely be competing for a spot in San Fran's Opening Day bullpen this spring. If Fulmer makes the major-league roster in 2026, he will most likely work in a long-relief/mop-up role for the Gigantes.
--Keith HernandezSource: San Francisco Giants
February 4, 2026
Chicago White Sox right-hander
Grant Taylor has a goal of reaching 100 innings pitched in 2026 in his second big-league season, and MLB.com's Scott Merkin suggests that the 23-year-old could be an option to start again in 2027. "Having got through last year, adding [Seranthony] Domínguez, being able to slot guys in different areas, we are going to have more freedom to use Grant to win games, as opposed to fulfill some innings limit," manager
Will Venable said. The addition of
Seranthony Dominguez to the bullpen should free Taylor up to work multiple innings more out of the bullpen this year after he threw 36 2/3 frames in his first taste of MLB in 2025. Taylor had 37 pitches at 100 mph or faster, and he topped out at 102.2 mph on June 22. He had 54 strikeouts but an ERA of 4.91. The 23-year-old threw a career-high 63 1/3 innings last year between the minors and majors. Although high-leverage opportunities could come, most of Taylor's work this year is expected to come in long relief. Taylor's strikeout upside is obvious, but durability is a concern.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Scott Merkin
February 4, 2026
The Pittsburgh Pirates have emerged as one of the most aggressive teams to pursue free-agent left-hander
Framber Valdez, people briefed on the matter told Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The 32-year-old is the biggest name left on the open market this offseason, and adding him would enhance the Pirates' biggest strength -- their starting rotation, which is led by National League Cy Young winner
Paul Skenes. The Pirates' new pitching coach, Bill Murphy, worked with Valdez as both a minor-league and major-league coach with the Houston Astros. In addition to the Pirates, the Baltimore Orioles, Toronto Blue Jays, Atlanta Braves, and San Diego Padres have been linked to Valdez this offseason. The 32-year-old southpaw would give the Bucs not only another strong arm but plenty of experience and durability, as he's just one of five pitchers to throw at least 900 innings in the last four seasons.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal
February 4, 2026
The Atlanta Braves announced on Wednesday that they signed free-agent right-hander
Tayler Scott to a minor-league deal with a non-roster invitation to spring training, according to Grant McAuley of 929 The Game. Scott, 33, split the 2025 season with the Houston Astros and Arizona Diamondbacks, posting a rough 7.90 ERA (6.32 FIP), 1.90 WHIP, 24 strikeouts, and 18 walks in 27 1/3 innings out of the bullpen. The South African native has a career 5.51 ERA, 1.63 WHIP, and 21.2% strikeout rate in five major-league seasons with eight different teams. Scott will compete for an Opening Day bullpen spot for the Braves in spring training, but he's most likely going to begin at Triple-A Gwinnett. He was originally a fifth-round selection by the Chicago Cubs in 2011 out of high school.
--Keith HernandezSource: 929 The Game - Grant McAuley
February 4, 2026
The Detroit Tigers invited outfield prospect
Max Clark to major-league spring training this year, according to the Detroit Free Press' Evan Petzold. Clark, who is considered the No. 10 overall prospect in baseball this year, hit a combined .271/.403/.432 with an .835 OPS, 14 home runs, 67 RBI, 85 runs scored, and 19 stolen bases in 111 games with High-A West Michigan and Double-A Erie last year. The left-handed-hitting former third overall pick in 2023 has plus tools with his bat, legs, arm, and glove. Power from the left side might be his biggest weakness, but he figures to develop more of it as his 6-foot, 205-pound frame matures. Clark had a 135 wRC+ AND 16.7% strikeout rate at Double-A, so he figures to open the 2026 season at Triple-A Toledo. If Clark picks up where he left off in the minors in 2026, it may not be long before he's starting in center field in Motown at the major-league level.
--Keith HernandezSource: Detroit Free Press - Evan Petzold
February 4, 2026
The Detroit Tigers have invited shortstop prospect
Kevin McGonigle to big-league spring training this year, according to Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press. Per MLB Pipeline, McGonigle is the No. 2 prospect in all of baseball entering the 2026 season, behind only the Pirates'
Konnor Griffin. The 21-year-old is an advanced hitter for his age and slashed an impressive .305/.408/.583 with 19 home runs and 10 stolen bases in 88 games over three minor-league levels last season. In addition to being able to play the 6, he'll be an option at second and third base for the Tigers at the next level. However, McGonigle is expected to stick at short for now, which is the biggest need in Detroit. The left-handed hitter might need some time to mature and develop his power and speed, but there's no question he's already among the best pure hitting prospects in baseball.
--Keith HernandezSource: Detroit Free Press - Evan Petzold
February 4, 2026
The Pittsburgh Pirates have interest in signing free-agent outfielder/designated hitter
Marcell Ozuna, according to Katie Woo of The Athletic. The Pirates' lineup has enough versatility to accommodate a player like Ozuna, who at 35 years old profiles mostly as a DH at this point in his career. However, a potential addition of Ozuna could affect the playing time for
Jake Mangum and
Spencer Horwitz, who are projected to play left field and first base, respectively.
Ryan O'Hearn would likely split time between 1B and left field if Ozuna were signed. Ozuna, a three-time All-Star, would give the Bucs more thump in the middle of their lineup. The right-handed Dominican slugger clubbed a career-high 31 homers in 2024 with Atlanta, but he dropped off significantly last year with a .232/.355/.400 slash line and only 21 dingers in 145 games. He's a declining power bat that might see less playing time if he lands in Pittsburgh.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Katie Woo
February 4, 2026
The Kansas City Royals announced on Wednesday that they have signed free-agent veteran infielder
Brandon Drury to a minor-league deal with an invitation to major-league spring training. Drury will compete for a roster spot this spring with the Royals after hitting a miserable .169/.242/.228 with a .469 OPS, four home runs, 15 RBI, 28 runs scored, 27 walks, and 81 strikeouts in 97 games (360 plate appearances) with the Los Angeles Angels in 2024. He didn't appear at all in the big leagues in 2025. In 53 games in the minors with the Angels and Chicago White Sox last year, he hit .214/.338/.323. The 10-year veteran has a career .245/.297/.421 slash line with a .717 OPS, and 109 home runs with seven different teams. Even if Drury sticks around in KC in 2026, he'll be a long shot for any kind of fantasy value.
--Keith HernandezSource: Kansas City Royals
February 4, 2026
If healthy, The Athletic's Keith Law thinks that Cincinnati Reds right-handed pitching prospect
Rhett Lowder (forearm, oblique) could be a mid-rotation starter in 2026. The 23-year-old former seventh overall pick in 2023 out of Wake Forest began the 2025 season on the injured list with a forearm injury and then strained an oblique muscle during his rehab, which kept him out all year. However, during a stint in the Arizona Fall League, Lowder was back in the 93-95 mph range on his sinker and four-seam fastball while also displaying a plus changeup and a sharper slider that missed plenty of bats. He threw his slider more than any other pitch. Lowder will have to compete for a rotation spot this spring, but even if he doesn't win one out of camp, he'll be a name to watch given his pedigree. With four plus offerings, Lowder can keep hitters off balance.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Keith Law
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