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Kiké Hernández agreed to a one-year, $4.5-million deal with the Dodgers Thursday, with the popular utilityman taking to his Instagram account to announce his return.

“What else did you expect?!!! 3 in a row has a nice ring to it,” he wrote, accompanied by a picture of him at the parade celebration last year.

In a video posted on the Dodgers' Instagram account, the three-time World Series champion apologized to fans for taking so long to re-sign, and jokingly put the blame on Andrew Freidman, the team's president of baseball operations.

“There’s no other place I would rather be than here,” he added.

Read more:Shaikin: 'They are the 900-pound gorilla.' How an opponent views the Dodgers' spending

Hernández repaired a torn extensor tender in his left elbow after the season, which will cause him to miss next month's World Baseball Classic and the start of the 2026 season. In order to clear a spot on the 40-man roster, right-hander Evan Phillips — whom the Dodgers signed to a one-year deal on Wednesday — was placed on the 60-day injured list as he continues to rehab from the Tommy John surgery he had last June.

The 34-year-old Hernández hit .203 with an on-base percentage of .255 and .366 slugging percentage in 256 regular season plate appearances, with 10 home runs in 92 games last season.

His splits between regular season and the postseason, however, are significantly different. In 103 career playoff games, Hernández carries a .826 on-base plus slugging percentage, a .272 batting average and a .486 slugging percentage.

During the 2025 World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays, he played every game, mostly in left field. In Game 6, Hernández’s catch and throw to Miguel Rojas at second sealed the Dodgers' 3-1 victory to force a Game 7.

During DodgerFest, Rojas spoke to reporters about the importance of Hernández’s presence in the Dodgers' pursuit to become the first back-to-back-to-back champions since the New York Yankees in 2000. He compared his impact on the team to Scottie Pippen with the Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls.

In other moves, the team announced third baseman Max Muncy received a one-year contract extension that will pay him $7 million in 2027 and has a $10-million club option for 2028. Muncy, whose current deal was set to expire after the 2026 season, is the Dodgers' longest-tenured player and enters his ninth season with the team. And Anthony Banda, who was designated for assignment last week by the Dodgers, was traded to the Minnesota Twins for international bonus pool money.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Here is every transaction for the Los Angeles Dodgers for the entire 2026 season, starting with the first day of spring training through the end of the team’s postseason run.

We will keep track of every single transaction involving the 40-man roster here, including players getting called up or sent down to the minor leagues, as well as signings, trades, waiver claims, getting designated for assignment, or released.

Also here will be every injured list stint, though we will also tract all the IL moves in their own post. We’ll also have another post that keeps track of minor league options, with a limit of five times a player can be optioned to the minors beginning after opening day.

Each Dodgers transaction has its own section on True Blue LA, and you can click on any link below to get detailed information on each roster move. For more transactions from the 2025-26 offseason, click here. Here are all the roster moves from the 2025 season as well.

Note: On a mobile device, this table will show up best in landscape mode.

Click on the dates below for more detailed information on each transaction:

February 21: Jack Suwinski claimed off waivers from Pirates. Kiké Hernández placed on 60-day injured list.

February 15: Ben Rortvedt claimed off waivers by Mets.

February 12: Anthony Banda traded to Twins for $500,000 of international bonus pool space.

February 12: Kiké Hernández signed for one year, $4.5 million. Evan Phillips placed on 60-day injured list.

February 12: Max Muncy signed extension for one year, $10 million, with 2028 club option.

The St. Louis Cardinals revealed their new Spring Training facilities by turning the camera over to Matthew Liberatore for their tour with a creative play on words.

As pitchers and catchers have now reported to Jupiter, Florida, Matthew Liberatore and a lone camera person gave a tour of what the new training facilities are like.

The walkthrough included 6 or 7 new covered batting cages, pitching machines, weight room areas including outdoor options and the multi-purpose field for ground ball work. The new performance center is impressive with both minor league and major league areas intertwined. The saunas and hyperbaric chambers are state of the art and the brand new food room is stocked with what Matthew says are healthy food options.

According to the Sports Business Journal, the St. Louis Cardinals invested $108 million dollars for these new Spring Training places. I fully expect there will be ample references to that being greater than the St. Louis Cardinals payroll for the coming season.

One additional side note. The St. Louis Cardinals just released the Spring Training broadcast schedule.

Every year, teams have non-roster invites to Spring Training. They are a mixture of prospects who are not on the 40-man roster and veterans trying to fight their way on to the roster. The Nats have found some gems among their pool of NRI’s the past couple years. In 2024, Jesse Winker was a non-roster invite and last year Brad Lord made the team out of camp as an NRI.

This year the Nats have 62 total players at camp, which is on the bigger side. The NRI’s range from prospects, to journeymen, to familiar faces who have been DFA’d lately. While most of these guys will not make the roster and head to the Minor Leagues, one or two of these players are likely to stick.

I wanted to go over a few of the players who have the best chance of making the team. The battle for the first base position will be one of the biggest stories this spring. There will be a few NRI’s who are battling for that first base position. Warming Bernabel, Matt Mervis and Yohandy Morales all have a chance to win at least a share of the first base job with a strong spring.

The first player I want to discuss is Morales. He was the Nats second round pick in 2023, and is a fairly well regarded prospect. However, his stock has been slowly dipping the past couple of years due to some red flags in his profile. In college, he played third base, but has made the move to first now. Naturally, sliding down the defensive spectrum hurts.

However, the biggest concerns stem from his bat. Morales has huge raw power, but his batted ball profile and his whiff issues are concerning. Last year, he hit the ball on the ground over 50% of the time and struck out over 30% of the time in AAA. Morales had a good start to the year in AA, but the move up to Triple-A saw mixed results.

He still has a chance to make the team with a big spring though. I am very interested to see if he is helped by the new hitting coaches. Scouts have been worried about Morales’ swing mechanics and hopefully the new staff can clean them up. He was highly productive in the Puerto Rican Winter League and in the Caribbean Series, but the level of competition there is not the highest. Still, we got a glimpse of his raw power.

Morales is a player I will be watching closely. There are a few players who are ahead of him in the race for first base at the moment. However, Morales may have more upside than anyone. It is far from a given, but he is a breakout candidate.

Matt Mervis and Warming Bernabel are two minor league free agents the Nats signed this offseason. Both will have a chance to win the 1B job this spring. There is a chance Bernabel and Mervis could be platoon partners if both impress this spring.

Bernabel became a bit of a cult hero for a horrid Rockies team after a hot start to his MLB career in late July. The 23 year old was hitting .500 with 3 homers in his first week as a big leaguer. However, he came crashing down to earth. Bernabel ended the season with a .252 average and .698 OPS.

He still has some interesting traits though. Bernabel makes a lot of contact and hits the ball in the air a lot. He only struck out 17.1% of the time and pulled the ball in the air over 20% of the time. Both of those numbers are above average. This gives him a path to some offensive production.

However, Bernabel does not hit the ball very hard and chases a lot. That is not a great combination, especially for a first baseman. Maybe Bernabel can be a platoon bat at first base, but his upside is not very high. However, he is still very young and provides quality depth.

Matt Mervis is a very different profile from Bernabel. He is your stereotypical left handed slugger at the first base position. Mervis has big time power and has shown it throughout his minor league career, with over 100 MILB homers. However, his hitting in the minors has not translated to MLB production.

Mervis, who is from Washington, DC, grew up a Nats fan. It would be a cool story if he could play for his hometown team. He said he grew up idolizing Ryan Zimmerman. Mervis looked like he was finally breaking through with the Marlins last April. He hit 7 homers in April and posted an .848 OPS.

After a disastrous May, he lost his job and was eventually DFA’d. He will look to make it back to the big leagues this year. Mervis has big power, but he also has big swing and miss issues. He struck out 37.3% of the time last year.  While it would be a cool story, Mervis seems like your standard Quad-A slugger.

There is one non-first baseman I want to take a look at and that is Orelvis Martinez. He is a true wild card, with a ton of upside but a low floor. A few years ago, the 24 year old Martinez was a top 100 prospect for the Blue Jays. His massive power and ability to stick on the infield made him highly touted.

He hit at least 28 homers in the minors every year from 2021 to 2023, where he steadily climbed the ranks. Some of those homers were truly majestic shots. Martinez has plus, maybe even plus-plus raw power and it shows up in games. 

After hitting 17 homers in 74 AAA games in 2024, and making his MLB debut, disaster struck. Martinez was popped for steroid use, and suspended 80 games. He was a shell of himself when he came back in 2025, hitting just .176 with 13 homers in 99 AAA games. Was he a product of steroids, or was it just a down year?

The Nats seem interested to find out, as they gave him a minor league deal with a spring training invite. Martinez can play second or third base at an adequate level. He has also been good against left handed pitching in his career. If Martinez has a good spring, he has a small chance of winning a platoon role. A pairing of Garcia and Martinez at second base could be interesting. 

It is likely that he starts the season in AAA and looks to rebuild his stock. I would not be surprised at all if we saw Martinez in the MLB at some point this year. If last year was truly just a blip on the radar, the Nats could be getting a steal.

Those guys are the ones most likely to make the team, but there are a few other notable NRI’s to shout out. Andry Lara, Shinnosuke Ogasawara, Riley Adams and Trey Lipscomb were all DFA’d this offseason, but managed to clear waivers unclaimed. They were all invited to camp. A few of these guys have a chance to play a role at some point this year, but are unlikely to break camp.

Jarlin Susana and Travis Sykora are the Nats two best pitching prospects, and both got invited to camp. However, neither will pitch because they are injured. Sykora had Tommy John Surgery and Susana had Lat Surgery. Other notable prospects at camp include Seaver King, Andrew Pinckney and Caleb Lomavita.

There are also a few grizzled vets in the mix. Tres Barrera and Trevor Gott were Nats at one point. Now, they are looking for one last shot and are at big league camp. Sergio Alcantara is another veteran looking to catch on.

The position player side is more interesting this year, but guys like Zach Penrod and Bryce Montes De Oca are intriguing. Overall, this is a fun group and there are plenty of guys we will see on the roster at some point this season.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone began his Thursday media availability by announcing that starting pitcher Cam Schlittler is dealing with inflammation in his mid-back. 

Per Boone, the Yankees will keep the right-hander off the mound for a few days, but he will otherwise continue to throw as usual.

Boone said this is something the Yankees are "trying to stay ahead of."

"[We] wanna make sure we don’t turn this into something else,' the manager said. "He’s felt a little tweak here and there, but he’s been doing his lives. He’s one of the guys who has already done two ups in lives, so I don’t think it will slow him that much, but we just want to make sure we don’t turn it into something else."

Schlittler said he first felt something in his back, while also mentioning his lat area, a few weeks ago, but described it as "just some minor stuff," and he's fully confident it won't affect his prep for the regular season.

"Zero, I’d say," Schlittler answered when asked about his concern level. "It’s early and I’ve been dealing with it for a little bit, so just want to make sure I’m on top of it and ready for Opening Day and that week in San Fran."

The 25-year-old Schlittler was a revelation for the Yankees last season, his first year in the majors. Schlittler started 14 games, pitching to a 2.96 ERA with 10.4 strikeouts per nine innings. He was also outstanding in his two playoff starts, posting a 1.26 postseason ERA.

With Gerrit Cole (Tommy John surgery), Carlos Rodon (cleanup procedure for loose bodies and bone spurs), and Clarke Schmidt (Tommy John surgery) all recovering from their respective surgeries and not likely to be ready to go by Opening Day, Schlittler figures to be a crucial piece in the rotation, along with lefty Max Fried and fellow righty Luis Gil.

"Obviously, we’re very excited about him and expect him to be a key part of our rotation," Boone said, "and still expect that from the jump."

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza spoke following Thursday’s workouts in Port St. Lucie…

On Bichette’s transition to the hot corner

With Bo Bichette making the move to third base this season, he was among a number of Mets position players who arrived to camp early this week. 

Mendoza is encouraged by that because it allows the coaching staff to get even more hands-on work with their new infielder, as was the case on Thursday.  

While both sides like what they’ve seen in the early going, there are still some things Bichette has to adjust to moving off of shortstop. 

The biggest aspect, Mendoza explained, is getting used to the timing at third base. 

“Those are some of the things, besides angles and things like that,” the skipper said. “It’s just the feel for the game clock and understanding the ball is going to get on you quicker at times, and you have more time than what you think.

“The other one is the double play -- you have to be quicker getting rid of the ball, you have to give the second baseman a chance -- those are some of the conversations we’re having, and I’m glad he’s early so we can get that out of the way.”

Bichette said both Mendoza and bench coach Kai Correa have been very helpful. 

He feels the biggest hurdle in the transition will be working into game action, but he’s excited for the opportunity to go out and get more comfortable this spring. 

What Mendy needs to see from Benge

Carson Benge has a massive opportunity in front of him this spring. 

The Mets have emphasized all offseason that they want to give the youngster every chance to crack the big-league roster out of camp. 

To accomplish that, Mendoza is simply looking for him to be himself. 

“The conversation I’ve already had with him was just go out there and be yourself,” he said. “I know there’s a lot of noise, and you’re going to get a real opportunity here, but don’t try to go out there and do too much.

“Understanding that you’re going to 0-for at times, you’re probably going to drop a fly ball, especially with the high sky and windy conditions -- but don’t let nothing bother you, I want you to be yourself out there.”

Mendoza has only seen him in BP and live AB’s, but so far he’s been encouraged.

“A lot of the things we’ve been getting from player development,” he said. “The fact that he’s here since Day 1 that the complex opened back in January. So far a quiet guy, observant, and I think he’s just learning from a lot of the guys that are around him right now.”

Bryan Hudson to compete for spot

Mendoza said that the Mets picked up the towering left-hander in a trade with the Brewers earlier this week because they feel he has the ability to help this bullpen.

"A couple of years ago, he had a pretty good year, he was effective for the Brewers," the skipper explained. "Last year, he had some ups-and-downs, but he's going to get an opportunity and we'll see how it goes."

Hudson had a 4.80 ERA and 1.86 WHIP in 15 innings with the Brewers and White Sox last season.

The year before that, his first in the majors, he pitched to a stellar 1.73 ERA across 43 appearances (62 IP).

If the southpaw can return to that form, it would be a nice boost for the Mets' bullpen that is expected to be without veteran A.J. Minter until at least May as he recovers from season-ending lat surgery. 

Senga's encouraging bullpen session

Mendoza likes the intensity he saw in Kodai Senga's bullpen session Thursday in PSL. 

Senga touched 92 mph, which the manager indicated is not normal for him at this point, in a good way.

"He's usually a guy who is thinking of his mechanics and things like that," he said. "Today, he got behind the baseball pretty good and used all of his pitches. It's just good to see him healthy and throwing like that this early -- we need him, we're counting on him, and we believe in him."

A healthy and dominant Senga would go a long way towards helping the Mets' rotation bounceback. 

Shohei Ohtani’s clearly been pumping iron and inhaling protein this offseason.

The Dodgers superstar showed up to Los Angeles’ spring training workouts in Arizona this week looking noticeably bigger.

In one photo of the two-way star that’s been circulating on social media, he looks like he’s added several inches to his upper torso.

It’s so evident, some have quipped about how he’s obviously not skipping any chest days.

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Of course, Ohtani’s never been little by any means. The 6-foot-3 designated hitter and pitcher was listed at 210 pounds by the Dodgers last season.

It, though, sure seems like he’s packed on a few more lbs to that frame heading into 2026 — a scary sight for MLB teams who’ve been trying to slow down the four-time league MVP for years.

It has to be said, the bonus months of baseball in Arizona are definitely a plus. When the rest of the country is still digging itself out of snow-drifts, the state becomes a mecca for all the MLB teams in the Western half of the country. It’s like having an All-Star Game in your backyard. Then, at the end of the year, we get the Arizona Fall League, a showcase for some of the best prospects from all thirty teams. But spring training is not all sunshine and roses…

What do you enjoy most and least about spring training?

I think it’s a delight when it starts, simply because we’ve been starved of baseball for months. Simply seeing the players wandering about, stretching and taking ground balls is a joy, especially if you’ve been spending your time not giving a damn about the NFL, NBA or… whatever that other league is. But speaking personally, there’s a point – well before the end of the Cactus League schedule – where I’ve had enough of games where even the starting position players only go five innings, and by the end, your score-card resembles the first draft of Peter Jackson’s next trilogy. Then there’s the potential for meaningless baseball leading to very meaningful injury…

So, whether you live in Arizona or not, tell us what you feel about spring training!

As we close out our preseason baseball content, we’ve compiled a list of the top-10 players entering the 2026 season. The season officially starts this weekend, so let’s get right into it so we can enjoy some baseball!

1. Sean Yamaguchi, 3B, Nevada

Yamaguchi’s freshman campaign in 2025 was one of the most impressive debut seasons in the conference. He hit .324 with 13 home runs, 13 doubles, and 50 RBIs, tying a Mountain West freshman home run record while immediately establishing himself as a middle-of-the-order force.

Beyond the bat, Yamaguchi showed advanced defensive instincts at third base, handling the hot corner with confidence well beyond his age. Entering his sophomore season, he has star upside written all over him and could very easily push him to the top even more.

2. Carson Lane, RHP, UNLV

Lane enters 2026 as the Mountain West’s premier arm after a workhorse 2025 season for UNLV. The right-hander finished 6–4 with a 4.23 ERA, logging 78.2 innings and striking out 85 batters, consistently pitching deep into games in a Rebels rotation that leaned heavily on his durability.

Lane’s ability to hold velocity, limit damage, and compete through traffic elevated his value beyond raw numbers. With another offseason of development and a clear role as UNLV’s Friday-night starter, Lane enters 2026 as the conference’s most trusted ace and a legitimate Pitcher of the Year frontrunner.

3. Khalil Walker, OF, New Mexico

Walker was one of the most dangerous offensive players in the conference during 2025, finishing the season just under .400 at the plate while catalyzing New Mexico’s nation-leading offense. His ability to square up pitches consistently and reach base at an elite rate made him a constant problem for opposing pitchers.

Add in his speed and defensive range in the outfield, and Walker’s all-around game puts him firmly among the Mountain West’s elite. If New Mexico stays in the conference title picture again, Walker will be a major reason why.

4. Jayce Dobie, UTL, Nevada

Dobie’s versatility and production make him one of the most valuable players in the Mountain West entering 2026. At the plate in 2025, he hit .339 with 15 doubles, seven home runs and 36 RBIs, providing consistent offense regardless of where he was slotted in the lineup.

What separates Dobie from others is his two-way ability. He also contributed on the mound, finishing 2–2 with 37 strikeouts in 43 innings, giving Nevada the flexibility few teams can match. His senior season projects as another high-impact year on both sides of the ball.

5. Akili Carris, 3B, New Mexico

Carris emerged as one of the most impactful bats in the Mountain West during New Mexico’s explosive 2025 season, carving out a key role in one of the nation’s most productive offenses. The infielder finished the year hitting .341, piling up 13 doubles, consistent extra-base damage, and finishing near the top of the Lobos’ lineup in both runs scored and on-base percentage. His ability to consistently barrel the baseball made him a constant threat in conference play.

What elevates Carris into the top tier entering 2026 is how well his skill set fits New Mexico’s offensive identity. He combines plate discipline with gap power, rarely giving away at-bats, and forces pitchers to work deep counts. Defensively, he brings athleticism and range to the infield, rounding out a complete profile. With another year of experience and a lineup built to score in bunches, Carris enters 2026 as one of the most dangerous and reliable position players in the Mountain West.

6. Griffen Sotomayor, 1B, Fresno State

Sotomayor emerged as a cornerstone of Fresno State’s offense in 2025, batting .330 with 16 doubles, seven home runs and 41 RBIs while posting a slugging percentage north of .500. His ability to drive the baseball to all fields made him a true middle-order threat for the Bulldogs.

As a senior, Sotomayor enters 2026 as one of the conference’s top run producers and a stabilizing presence at first base. His power-plus-contact profile gives Fresno State one of the safest offensive bets in the league.

7. Max Hartman, OF, Washington State

Hartman quietly put together one of the most efficient offensive seasons in the Mountain West in 2025, hitting approximately .360 with a .430+ on-base percentage while consistently producing extra-base hits. His disciplined approach allowed him to impact games without forcing the issue.

Defensively sound and offensively consistent, Hartman gives Washington State a veteran bat capable of anchoring a lineup. Entering his senior season, he profiles as one of the conference’s most reliable outfielders.

8. Alex Fernandes, OF, San Jose State

Fernandes was a model of consistency in 2025, finishing the season hitting .361 with a .447 on-base percentage while serving as one of San Jose State’s most dependable offensive options. His ability to grind at-bats and drive the gaps made him a key piece of the Spartans’ lineup.

Entering 2026, Fernandes brings senior leadership, defensive stability, and a proven bat to a San Jose State team with conference aspirations. He may not be flashy, but his production speaks loudly.

9. Tyler Albanese, RHP, San Jose State

Albanese took a major step forward in 2025, emerging as one of the most reliable arms in the Mountain West. The right-hander finished the season 4–3 with a 2.97 ERA across 39.1 innings, consistently limiting damage and giving San Jose State quality outings in both starting and high-leverage relief roles. His ability to throw strikes and change speeds allowed him to neutralize some of the league’s better offenses. He’s a big, physical RHP with a low-mid 90s heater with two quality breakers. 

What makes Albanese especially valuable entering 2026 is his versatility. He proved capable of handling multiple roles, whether bridging innings out of the bullpen or stepping into bigger spots when needed. With another year of development and a clear role in the Spartans’ pitching plans, Albanese enters the season as one of the conference’s most dependable arms and a key piece for a San Jose State team with postseason aspirations.

10. Karsen Waslefsky, SS, New Mexico

Waslefsky was a key part of the Lobos’ offense that hit .337 last year, as he batted .298 on the season with an .828 OPS, scoring 32 runs on 42 hits while driving in 31. He finished the season with six doubles, one triple and five homers.

Defensively, his fielding percentage was at .959 with 47 putouts and 116 assists on 170 opportunities with just seven errors. As a senior shortstop, his glove and experienced bat will be integral to a Lobo squad hoping to build on its prolific run production.

Honorable mentions: Billy Ham (DH, Nevada), Junhyuk Kwon (INF, Nevada), Jake McCoy (OF, San Jose State), Alessandro Castro( P, Nevada), Tyler Patrick (P, Fresno State)