Worldwide Sports News

Aaron Judge is coming off his third American League MVP season, and now he gets to run back another accomplishment: being on the cover of MLB The Show 26.

"Aaron continues to rewrite history," San Diego Studio, publisher of the MLB the Show series, said in a statement on Tuesday. "... Aaron’s performances have not only inspired players on the diamond, but athletes and fans around the world. We’re excited to have him back as the cover athlete of MLB The Show 26."

3X AL MVP ✅ ️2X #MLBTheShow cover athlete ✅
Welcome back, Aaron Judge! @TheJudge44@Yankees@Yankees_Beisbolpic.twitter.com/2l0kOAt7Nu

— MLB The Show (@MLBTheShow) January 27, 2026

This marks the second time Judge has been featured on the cover of the best-selling video game after first appearing in 2018 following his rookie season, joining Hall of Famer Joe Mauer (2010, 2011) as the only player to be selected for the cover twice. In the eight years since, the Yankees slugger has been a three-time MVP, seven-time All-Star and five-time Silver Slugger. His 62 home runs in 2022 broke Roger Maris' AL single-season record, which had stood for over 60 years. Judge was recently named captain of team USA ahead of this year's World Baseball Classic.

San Diego Studio teased the reveal on Monday night with a brief statement posted to social media that read, "we wanted to let everyone know we have decided that we will not have a new cover athlete. Please stay tuned to all of our social channels for more information to come."

🚨Breaking News: There will not be a new cover athlete for #MLBTheShow 26. 👀 pic.twitter.com/xhTW8D3u0g

— MLB The Show (@MLBTheShow) January 26, 2026

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Aaron Judge announced as cover athlete of MLB the Show 26

Jonatan Clase is a 23-year-old (24 in May), switch-hitting outfielder from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. He came to us in trade from the Mariners, along with catcher Jacob Sharp, for Yimi Garcia. Sharp played in New Hampshire in 2025, hitting .161/.271/.206 in 68 games

He has played 60 major league games, and lost his rookie status in 2024. In the 60 games, he’s hit .224/.294/.311 with 3 home runs, 6 steals, caught 2 times.

The big news is the MLB has given the Jays one more option year on Clase. Well, good news for the Jays, I’m not so sure it is good for Jonatan. It makes him less likely to be DFAed. But then, if he were on another team, he would be more likely to find a spot on the active roster. With the Jays, he looks to be waiting for an injury or two. He would be a good choice for the 27th man when we have a doubleheader. If you had room on your active roster, he would be the perfect guy to pinch-run in extra innings, being the Manfred Mann. And he would be an excellent defensive replacement. But then, he’d still have to hit better than .161.

At the moment, I’d think he would be behind Joey Loperfido, Yohendrick Piñango, as well as spring training invites RJ Schreck and Elroy Jiménez (though the latter two aren’t on the 40-man roster at the moment) in line for a job in the majors if there is an injury. Of course, we have Daulton Varsho, George Springer, Anthony Santander, Nathan Lukes, Myles Straw, Davis Schneider and Addison Barger all who can play outfield and are expecting a spot on the active roster (I’m not sure how all of them can make it).

Clase played 87 games for the Bisons, last year, hitting .255/.335/.403 with 7 home runs and 30 steals (caught just 4 times). His defense is good, with the occasional poor route (but he generally makes up for that with his speed).

As much as I like him, I really don’t see a path to him getting major league at-bats. I guess a terrific spring training would help.

I often compare him to Otis Nixon. Nixon didn’t have a MLB season with over 200 PA until age 29. Nixon had 727 PA before age 30 and 5073 after age 30. So don’t count Jonatan out. Clase has more power than Nixon had and is a better defensive outfielder.

Steamer projects he will appear in 12 MLB games, hitting .225/.294/.367 in 45 plate appearances.

Rick Rizzs has announced through the Seattle Mariners that the 2026 season will be his final one as the radio voice of baseball in the Pacific Northwest, retiring following this year’s campaign.

The season will be Rizzs’ 41st in Seattle, and his 44th in the big leagues (having spent three years with the Detroit Tigers), and his 52nd overall. Rizzs has been bringing the Mariners to fans over the airwaves longer than any other broadcaster in the franchise’s history, surpassing even his longtime partner in crime, Dave Niehaus, with whom he called games for 25 years. The 72 year old’s career in broadcasting baseball is older than the franchise that he has been the voice of, and the kid from the South Side of Chicago has become a community cornerstone in his adopted home of Seattle for decades.

The Mariners noted that the 2026 season, which will also be the club’s 50th, will be spent celebrating Rizzs’ Hall of Fame-caliber career as the Voice of the Mariners. He is, by all accounts professional and personal, a truly kind man, whose capacity for consistency and warmth is as genuine in the broadcast booth as it is through his interpersonal interactions and indefatigable charitable work. The co-founder of Toys for Kids and the Rick’s Locker program, Rizzs has spent over 30 years raising funds and resources for kids and families in the Pacific Northwest, as well as housing, food, school supplies and scholarships, and baseball gear. Say friends, it’s hard to see him go.

The Yankees announced on Tuesday that they have claimed RHP Dom Hamel off waivers from the Texas Rangers.

Hamel, 26, was originally drafted by the Mets in the third round of the 2021 draft. The Arizona native worked his way up the Mets' farm system before making his major league debut in 2025 for the Mets. In that appearance, Hamel allowed three hits and hit a batter across one inning of work against the Padres back on Sept. 17. 

The Mets designated Hamel for assignment on Sept. 18 and he was claimed by the Orioles a few days later. The Rangers would claim him off waivers on Sept. 27 before he was DFA'd last week. 

In the minors last year, Hamel made 31 appearances (11 starts), pitching to a 5.32 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP across 67.2 innings pitched with Triple-A Syracuse.

Across 111 appearances (89 starts) in his five-year minor league career, Hamel has a 4.72 ERA, a 1.37 WHIP and 511 strikeouts across 438.1 innings pitched. 

The Yankees also announced they have designated for assignment LHP Jayvien Sandridge and INF/OF Marco Luciano, who they claimed off waivers from the Orioles a week ago.

Kiley McDaniel, one of the more respected writers in the prospect sphere of baseball coverage, released his top 100 prospects this morning ($). Three Phillies showed up on the list.

#10 – Aidan Miller

His above-average to plus speed is apparent on the basepaths as shown by his 59 stolen bases last season. Miller could lean more into his power with more loft to his swing path, but I have a feeling what he’s doing is already optimized for him and he’ll naturally find his way to 25 homers with a strong on-base rate along with real value in the field and on the bases.

#27 – Andrew Painter

Taking a step back, Painter has four above-average pitches (95-98, touching 100 mph fastball, cutter, slider, changeup) and the components for starter-level command with a real shot to break camp in the Phillies’ rotation in 2026. In my opinion, he should de-emphasize his sweeper (the slowest of his three breaking pitches) from his second-most-used pitch to fourth or fifth, but should get a bigger boost to his performance from simply being another year away from his surgery and long layoff.

#69 – Justin Crawford

Crawford has plus contact skills and a solid approach along with solid-average raw power; he’ll sting the ball (46% hard-hit rate) though without the secondary power skills (loft in the swing and pull/lift ability) to regularly put the ball over the fence. This kind of player is often more productive via WAR than a fan would guess, because he’s racking up solid value in all aspects of the game (hitting, baserunning, fielding) while his speed helps round up his raw hitting ability (legging out infield singles/bunts) and also helps his isolated power (bloop singles become doubles).

Nothing new about this trio making a list like this, but it’s nice to continually see national respect for them.

Even before trading MacKenzie Gore to the Texas Rangers in exchange for 5 prospects, the Nationals’ rotation was looking very subpar entering 2026. Following Gore’s departure, the unit now projects to be 29th in fWAR this season, according to Fangraphs, finishing ahead of only the Colorado Rockies, not great company when talking about pitching. Foster Griffin and Cade Cavalli project to lead the rotation, with fWARs just under 2 and ERAs just above 4, but outside of those two, the rotation isn’t looking pretty, with Brad Lord projected around a 4.50 ERA, and Jake Irvin and Josiah Gray with projected ERAs near 5.

The Nats have been mentioned in the starting pitching market a few times, but never tied to any names. It is expected that they won’t want to drop a large sum of money on a pitcher, ruling out top remaining arms such as Framber Valdez and Zac Gallen, but that they would bring in a name notable enough to lock into a rotation spot over one of Jake Irvin, Josiah Gray, or Brad Lord. Let’s take a look at a few of the remaining starting pitchers on the free agent market and find one or two who would best fit in the Nats rotation in 2026.

RHP Lucas Giolito

The best available free-agent starting pitcher in the Nationals’ price range is likely Lucas Giolito, the former Nats top prospect who was shipped to the White Sox for Adam Eaton before the 2017 season. After stops with 4 other clubs, including 3 teams in 2023, Giolito now hits the open market, following a 2025 campaign where he posted a 3.41 ERA and 2 fWAR in 145 innings pitched.

While Giolito was the most productive of any free agent arm in the Nats’ price range, there is a few reasons I would be hesitant to pay him. For starters, while the surface-level numbers looked strong for Giolito, a peek under the hood suggests regression coming for him in 2026. His FIP was 4.17, a respectable number, but far off from his 3.41 ERA, and his expected ERA was even worse, sitting at 5.06, in the 12th percentile among all starting pitchers in 2025.

Giolito’s peripherals also don’t suggest his 2025 success will translate so easily to 2026. With his 22nd percentile average exit velocity, 28th percentile strikeout rate, and 30th percentile walk rate, it’s hard to imagine a world where Giolito can be worth whatever the Nats would pay him this winter. Still, perhaps Toboni believes some change Giolito made during his time in Boston can translate long-term, and their connection from that time can get a deal done.

RHP Justin Verlander

After a shaky first half to Verlander’s age-42 season in which he posted a 4.70 ERA and 4.22 FIP in 76 2/3 innings pitched, it looked like the future Hall of Famer’s career may have been coming to a close. Then suddenly, in the second half, Verlander flipped a switch, posting a 2.99 ERA and 3.47 FIP in 75 1/3 innings pitched, showing he still has what it takes to pitch in the big leagues for at least one more year.

Verlander likely hopes to pitch for a contender in 2026, but if no contender is willing to take a chance on him at the moment, perhaps starting the year with the Nationals and being traded to one at the deadline could be what he’s looking for.

Proof that an old dog still can learn tricks is Verlander adding a sweeper to his arsenal in 2025. He used the pitch primarily against right-handed hitters, throwing it to them 13% of the time, and it was a huge success, with a .135 opponents’ batting average. If Verlander is a National in 2026, as the Nats coaching staff, I’d be looking to increase his usage of that pitch even more against righties, making it one of his more used pitches.

RHP Aaron Civale

Like Verlander, Civale got roughed up in the first half of 2025, but found another gear in the second half, posting a 3.58 FIP in 49 1/3 innings pitched. The difference between Verlander and Civale, other than Civale being 12 years younger, is that Civale finished the season as a relief pitcher, making it risky for the Nats to try him out again as a starter.

Civale did a strong job of limiting hard contact in 2025, posting a 69th percentile average exit velocity. He also does a solid job of limiting free passes, with a 59th percentile walk rate in 2025. Civale doesn’t get a lot of swing and miss, so he’s at his best when he keeps the ball out of the air and on the ground, and that was exactly the case in 2025, as when he cut his fly ball rate by 10% and raised his groundball rate by 8% in the second half of 2025 versus the first, his performance greatly improved.

While the 3 pitchers here would be my preference for rotation upgrades in 2026, I am open to whatever moves Paul Toboni and his staff believe they need to make. The new coaching staff specializes in unlocking players’ hidden potentials, and perhaps they see something in a pitcher none of us are thinking about that they can unlock.

I have been clear that the Guardians don’t have an excuse for not adding either a centerfield and/or a middle of the order hitter all off-season. Time have changed. Let’s talk about it.

For whatever reason, the Guardians did not land Willson Contreras or Brandon Lowe or Taylor Ward or Kaz Okomoto or Ryan O’Hearn (middle-of-the-order hitters) or Harrison Bader/Luis Robert, Jr./Dane Myers (centerfielders). I can’t really tell you why, except that in a couple cases, it seems to be because the team is reluctant to commit money in 2027 when they clearly expect their to be a MLB lockout initiated by MLB’s owners. I think they had to offer whatever in trades and salary necessary to land at least ONE of these players. They didn’t. It’s time to accept reality on that.

At this point in the offseason, I do not see enough of a needle mover for me to be promoting the Guardians’ sign a free agent. Austin Hays isn’t a centerfielder, Austin Slater is probably bad, Luis Arraez is not a good positional fit for his limited offensive value, Miguel Andujar and Rhys Hoskins are probably not enough of an upgrade over C.J Kayfus and David Fry, though Andujar’s case is the most persuasive to me of remaining free agents. Marcell Ozuna is someone who tried to strangle his wife whom I do not want to watch on my favorite baseball team. Eugenio Suarez is PROBABLY a DH-only and probably not enough of an upgrade over exisisting options (he also doesn’t hit LHP). I’d be varying degrees of happy if they decided to sign any of these players, but I do not believe there is any particularly compelling reason for them to do so.

Now, if the Cubs are interested in trading Nico Hoerner or the Diamondbacks revisit trading Ketel Marte, I would absolutely jump into those discussions if I were the Guardians. I understand not being in on a potential Yandy Diaz trade because he is a DH-only and the Guardians, clearly, want the DH spot to rotate between Kyle Manzardo, Chase DeLauter, David Fry and others. Given that these teams are probably planning to enter the season with each of these three options as part of their roster, it’s probably better to revisit these kind of potential trades at the trade deadline (to be clear, by the trade deadline, Ketel Marte would have to waive a no-trade clause that will vest by then). I think the Guardians WILL be aggressive in finding players, especially rentals, as needed in July to fill any roster holes if their team is competitive in the AL Central – as they should be.

The roster, as is, looks likely to be, on Opening Day:

Lineup:
Catcher: Bo Naylor, Austin Hedges and (as a 3rd catcher/pinch-hitter) David Fry
First Base: Kyle Manzardo, C.J. Kayfus and David Fry
Second Base: Gabriel Arias
Shortstop: Brayan Rocchio
Third Base: Jose Ramirez
Left Field: Steven Kwan
Center Field: Nolan Jones and Stuart Fairchild platoon
Right Field: Chase DeLauter (load management concerns for DeLauter will create reps here for David Fry and Daniel Schneemann and Stuart Fairchild)
Designated Hitter: Kyle Manzardo, David Fry, Jose Ramirez

Utility Player: Daniel Schneemann

Please hear me that I PERSONALLY would prefer the team move on from Arias now and give Juan Brito Opening Day reps, and DFA Jones to Columbus and take the risk of DeLauter as your primary centerfielder and George Valera as your strongside platoon starter in right. But, I am trying to be realistic about what WILL happen. I don’t think Arias or Jones will have a lot of rope, but I do think they both get at least another brief look to see if there’s something there.

Rotation: Whoever is healthy among Gavin Williams RHP, Tanner Bibee RHP, Joey Cantillo LHP, Slade Cecconi RHP, Parker Messick LHP and Logan Allen LHP

Bullpen: Peyton Pallette, LHP, Pedro Avila, RHP, Tim Herrin, RHP, Erik Sabrowski, LHP, Matt Festa, RHP, Shawn Armstrong, RHP, Hunter Gaddis, RHP, and Cade Smith, RHP
(Connor Brogdon and Colin Holderman also strong options, with Holderman having a minor-league option remaining. Franco Aleman and Daniel Espino should also have outside chances at making it.)

As I noted above, I think the Guardians WILL be aggressive with promoting outfielder George Valera and infielder Juan Brito, but I expect them to give players like Jones and Arias some additional time in April. I also think we could see Travis Bazzana sometime in June if he performs well in Columbus. Petey Halpin and Kahlil Watson will also be knocking on the door if the Jones/Fairchild platoon fails (as we likely almost all expect to be the case).

Is this my ideal? No. Is this roster LIKELY to win a World Series? No. But, IF the Guardians are aggressive with giving players like Kayfus and DeLauter as many reps as possible, and in promoting players like Brito, Valera and Bazzana by May/June, I see plenty of reasons to be optimistic and to back up their oft-repeated refrain of “not wanting to block young players.” If the Guardians try strict platoons with young players and drag their feet on promotions of deserving prospects, however… fans will have plenty of reasons to complain and picket Progressive Field.

I still can’t believe the Guardians didn’t find a way to make a significant upgrade either to the middle of their lineup or to centerfield. It seemed like an absolute necessity and I don’t think the gamble of not making that move (LIKELY caused by ownership concern over the impending lockout) is going to turn out well for the team. I am not looking forward to fans complaining about the Guardians having the lowest payroll in baseball and using it as a reason to not attend games. I get those feelings, but, in reality, this IS a very exciting group of young players who – IF the team is aggressive with promotions – should play a winning and thrilling brand of baseball.

The Yankees are staying in-house for another notable hire.

Mario Garza has been named the club’s new director of international scouting, a source confirmed Tuesday, replacing longtime head Donny Rowland after he was let go earlier this offseason.

Garza, 44, is entering his 16th year with the Yankees organization and has plenty of fans inside it, most recently serving as the director of baseball development while working with minor leaguers. He has also been the coordinator of baseball development, director of Latin American operations, assistant director of international player development and a manager at Single-A and the Gulf Coast League.

YES Network first reported the hire.

In his new role, Garza will be tasked with getting the Yankees international pipeline back on track after it had too often come up empty on many of its high-priced signings. The organization typically has one of the smallest international signing bonus pools because it regularly goes over the highest luxury tax threshold, and while it has had more success with lower-priced signings, it has not gotten strong enough returns on the biggest chunks of that money spent, especially of late.

After dismissing Rowland following 15 years on the job, the Yankees lost out on one of the top prospects in the current signing class, shortstop Wandy Asigen, who backed out of his agreement and instead signed with the Mets last week.

The Yankees took their time in finding Rowland’s replacement, interviewing a group of candidates that included former Astros international scouting director Oz Ocampo, before hiring from within.

Garza becomes the latest member of the Yankees player development system to be promoted this offseason, joining new first base coach Dan Fiorito and assistant hitting coach Jake Hirst.

The Yankees waiver carousel took another spin Tuesday, this time taking a shot on a former Mets minor league pitcher of the year.

The club claimed right-hander Dom Hamel off waivers from the Rangers and designated lefty Jayvien Sandridge and infielder/outfielder Marco Luciano for assignment — one of which cleared a 40-man spot for re-signing Cody Bellinger.

The 26-year-old Hamel has only appeared in one big league game, throwing an inning of relief for the Mets last September. He spent most of 2025 at Triple-A Syracuse, pitching to a 5.32 ERA in 31 games (11 starts). The former third-round pick was the Mets’ minor league pitcher of the year in 2022, which he split between Single-A and High-A.