Penrod agreed to a minor-league contract with the Nationals on Monday, which includes an invitation to spring training, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Penrod began the 2025 campaign in the Red Sox organization before being traded to the Dodgers in June. He ended the season with Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he posted an 8.65 ERA and 2.42 WHIP with a 23:30 K:BB across 26.0 innings.

The Cubs signed Thornton (Achilles) to a contract Monday, Tread Athletics reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's not clear whether it's a major- or minor-league contract, but Thornton has landed a deal after throwing for teams in a "Pro Day" at Tread Athletics training facility. Thornton had surgery in August to repair a torn left Achilles tendon but has a chance to be ready in time for Opening Day. The right-handed reliever posted a 4.68 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 32:14 K:BB over 42.1 innings for the Mariners in 2025 before getting hurt.

The Yankees signed Brown to a minor-league contract Monday, Aram Leighton of JustBaseball.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Brown's production with the Athletics tumbled in the wrong direction since he had back-to-back 20-plus homer seasons in 2021 and 2022, as the 33-year-old finished 2025 with just a .185/.303/.262 batting line over 38 tilts. He does have some power and can play all three outfield spots in addition to first base, giving the Yankees some quality depth at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Atlanta signed Mateo to a one-year contract Monday.

EDGE Analysis

With Ha-Seong Kim (finger) set to miss at least the first six weeks or so of the season, Atlanta has added Mateo as a depth option at shortstop. The 30-year-old Mateo was plagued by injuries in his last two seasons with the Orioles, finishing with a lowly .177/.217/.266 batting line over 42 contests in 2025. He's healthy, now, though, and offers the ability to play second base, third base and all three outfield spots in addition to shortstop. Mauricio Dubon remains the likely Opening Day starter at shortstop for Atlanta, but Mateo will be in the mix while Kim recuperates from finger surgery.

Winn has been sprinting for weeks and will not have any limitations with his surgically repaired right knee at the beginning of spring training, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

Winn played through a slight meniscus tear in his knee for most of the 2025 season before eventually having surgery in late September. While he won his first Gold Glove, Winn's offensive production slipped, as he finished with just a .673 OPS, nine home runs and nine stolen bases. With his knee repaired, Winn plans to be more active on the basepaths in 2026, saying, "I want to be able to use that speed."

Betts said on the "What Drives You with John Cena" podcast that he will retire when he contract runs out following the 2032 season, Brent Maguire of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Betts will be 40 years old following the conclusion of his 12-year, $365 million contract, so it's unsurprising to hear he plans to hang up his cleats at that point. The 33-year-old is coming off a down 2025 campaign offensively, having slashed .258/.326/.406 with 20 home runs over 150 regular-season contests. However, Betts thrived defensively in his first season as a full-time shortstop, finishing with a plus-6 Outs Above Average, per Baseball Savant.

Junis and the Rangers agreed on a one-year, $4 million contract Sunday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Junis will head to Texas after posting a solid 2.97 ERA and 1.23 WHIP with 55 strikeouts over 66.2 innings in 57 regular-season appearances out of the bullpen with the Guardians in 2025. The Rangers will be the right-hander's fifth team in the last four seasons, and he'll provide his new squad with another experienced option in the bullpen ahead of the 2026 campaign.

Kim underwent surgery Sunday to repair a torn tendon in his right middle finger and is facing an estimated recovery timeline of 4-to-5 months.

EDGE Analysis

Kim inked a one-year, $20 million contract with Atlanta in December, but he'll now be unavailable for the start of the upcoming campaign after recently sustaining the injury after he slipped on ice while back home in his native South Korea, per Mark Bowman of MLB.com. The 30-year-old was limited to 48 games for Tampa Bay and Atlanta last season due to injuries, and his 2026 is also off to an unfortunate start. Based on the initial timeline, Kim shouldn't be expected to make his season debut until at least mid-May but could be out longer, potentially leaving Mauricio Dubon or Nacho Alvarez to fill in at shortstop for much of the first half.

Borucki agreed Sunday with the White Sox on a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to big-league spring training, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Borucki will get the chance to compete for a role in the White Sox's Opening Day bullpen during the spring, and given the dearth of quality relief options on the 40-man roster, a strong showing in Cactus League play could be enough for him to clinch a spot. Before being outrighted by Toronto in September, the 31-year-old lefty split time in the majors between the Blue Jays and Pirates in 2025, logging a 4.63 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 32:16 K:BB over 35 innings in 39 appearances.

Stewart spent the winter getting into better shape, losing 20-plus pounds, and he's been working on his defense at first base, Charlie Goldsmith of The Dayton Daily News reports.

EDGE Analysis

After the Reds traded for Ke'Bryan Hayes last year, Stewart had to learn first base on the fly. He'll enter this season more comfortable at the position, and presumably has the inside track to play there regularly in 2026. The Reds still have to find playing time for both Stewart and Spencer Steer, but they can be in the same lineup with one of them at DH and the other at first base.