Free agent right-hander Merrill Kelly, after being dealt by the Diamondbacks to the Texas Rangers at the trade deadline last season, is returning to Arizona on a two-year, $40 million deal, sources confirmed to ESPN amid multiple media reports.

The Reds acquired Marte from the Seattle Mariners in July 2022 and he made his MLB debut in 2023. The 6-foot-2, 216-pounder was exclusively an infielder/designated hitter before 2025. Cincinnati stuck Noelvi in right field in July following his defensive struggles at third, and Francona appreciated the results, per Sheldon.

Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes chose to shave his facial hair during the offseason. Skenes' girlfriend, former LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne, reacted to his clean-shaven look on TikTok. The right-hander is coming off another dominant year on the mound in 2025, earning National League Cy Young Award recognition.

With 2026 upon us, the top MLB sluggers have got a latest update on their landing spots. Here’s the latest news from the league.

Tatsuya Imai and Munetaka Murakami are headed to the majors — but one of the remaining Japanese players negotiating with MLB teams may not follow.

The Toronto Blue Jays have had an impressive offseason thus far. A season ago, they went from a bottom feeder in the A.L. East to a contender.

There's snow on the ground in much of the U.S., and we've got about a month and a half until pitchers and catchers report. But still: It's a new year. The book

MLB Hot Stove tracker: Live updates on news, rumors, signings and trades for 2025 free agency originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

There's no secret: the Colorado Rockies were the worst team in Major League Baseball in 2025. There's hope it can turn around a bit in 2026.