#luis-gonzalez

#luis-gonzalez

Garcia was never a flamethrower, averaging 93.6 mph on his four-seamer even in that two-year peak, but he had good command and generated big whiff rates on his cutter, slider and changeup alike.

The 35-year-old returns to the Astros for the first time since being a part of the team that won the World Series in 2022. He also won a title with the Red Sox in 2018.

Springer rebounded from a rough 2024 season to post a .959 OPS and hit 32 home runs, to go with a .399 on-base percentage, 27 doubles in 140 games. He also scored 106 runs, the most Springer has scored in a season since his All-Star season in 2018 with Houston. He also had some big moments during the season, including a grand slam against the New York Yankees in a pivotal Canada Day win. The Blue Jays swept that four-game series and never let go of first place in the AL East.

The Venezuelan winter league suspended play following the United States taking military action in Caracas, casting uncertainty on a couple of Los Angeles Dodgers players. Edgardo Henriquez, a Venezuelan native, had been pitching for La Tiburones de la Guaira, and Dodgers prospect Eduardo Quintero also briefly spent time with the team. With roughly five weeks until Spring Training begins, the Dodgers could face some challenges trying to get their players back to the United States.

Relief pitcher Daniel Palencia will pitch for Team Venezuela in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, his agency announced Tuesday. Palencia had an interesting year with the Cubs. He recorded 22 saves during the regular season, but his usage changed drastically in the playoffs. Instead of remaining in the bullpen until the ninth inning, Craig Counsell used him earlier in games.

The catcher began his journey through the minor leagues with the Dodgers, who signed him out of Venezuela in 2019. Valladares was one of a few Venezuelan catching prospects in the Dodgers' system alongside Diego Cartaya and Keibert Ruiz. Both Cartaya and Ruiz eventually left the Dodgers via trade, but Valladares remained with the Dodgers and trudged his way through L.A.'s farm system.

Fun video today from Eric Sim, a former Giants minor leaguer who has since made a name for himself in the baseball-connected content world.