The Pittsburgh Pirates have acquired outfield prospect Alexander Canario from the New York Mets in exchange for cash. Canario finished his spring season strong, collecting at least one hit in six of his last seven games, going 8-for-11 (.727) with a double and three home runs, but was unable to secure a spot on New York's Opening Day roster. As a result, and without any minor league options remaining, the Mets DFA'd the 24-year-old. Because he has no options remaining, Canario will be a part of Pittsburgh's major league roster, likely as a reserve outfielder. The right-handed slugger has plenty of pop in his bat, belting as many as 37 home runs in 2022 in the minors, but it comes with a ton of swing-and-miss, especially at the major league level. Over his 21 major league games and 42 at-bats, the Dominican has struck out 19 times (42.2 percent). Still, if he can correct that to some extent, power-needy managers in deep NL-only leagues could consider stashing him away in the event he finds his way to regular at-bats.

The New York Mets have designated outfielder Alexander Canario for assignment. The Mets acquired Canario from the Chicago Cubs earlier this winter. The 24-year-old did not have any options and had to break camp with the major league roster or would have to pass through waivers. Canario was unable to make the MLB roster during camp. In the Grapefruit League, Canario performed well, posting a .306/.419/.611 slash line with two doubles and three home runs. Canario has only appeared in 21 MLB contests over the past two seasons. During his limited taste of MLB action, the 24-year-old has posted a strong .286/.353/.524 slash line with two doubles and two round-trippers. He generated an elite 14.3 barrel rate. Given his success in camp, he will likely draw interest on waivers.

The New York Mets have acquired outfielder Alexander Canario from the Cubs in exchange for cash considerations. The 24-year-old was recently DFA'd by the Cubs after the team signed Justin Turner. Canario has some major league experience, going 12-for-42 (.286) with a pair of home runs during his two stints in the big leagues between 2023 and 2024, but struggles with strikeouts. The right-handed hitter has a 42.2 percent K% in his limited service time (2:19 BB:K). He has, however, shown big-time power in the minors, blasting as many as 37 in 2022 across three levels, and another 18 last season at Triple-A in only 247 at-bats. The Mets have been bitten by the injury bug early this spring, so Canario will provide some depth in the event they need another bat. He's off the fantasy radar for now, though.

The Chicago Cubs designated outfielder Alexander Canario for assignment on Thursday to make room on the 40-man roster for newly-signed infielder Justin Turner, sources told ESPN Chicago's Jesse Rogers. Canario hasn't really gotten a fair shake in Chicago and has played in just 21 big-league games, so Rogers suggests he'll be a pretty good trade candidate this spring. The 24-year-old is also out of minor-league options, though, which could limit his appeal to other MLB teams. In his brief time with the Cubs in the last two years, he's posted a nice .857 OPS but with a strikeout rate over 40 percent. The Dominican outfielder's power upside along should attract plenty of interest from another team, where he could have a better shot at regular playing time at the major-league level. In 64 games for Triple-A Iowa in 2024, Canario had 18 home runs.

Chicago Cubs outfielder Alexander Canario could contend for a spot on the Opening Day roster. Patrick Mooney of The Athletic noted that the 24-year-old is out of minor league options, which provides him with the most leverage he has had. In addition, reports in the offseason have suggested that Canario will see work at first base and other infield positions in addition to the outfield. However, given the recent signing of Justin Turner, a path to being the backup first baseman is much tougher. The 24-year-old has logged just 21 games at the MLB level over the past two seasons but has been very productive when on the field. Across this stint, he has held a .286/.333/.524 line with two doubles and two home runs. Across 120 games at Triple-A, Canario has held a .252/.345/.521 slash line. If Canario does make the Opening Day roster, he will likely be an option off the bench and will only carry value in deeper formats.

According to Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Cubs outfielder Alexander Canario saw time at first base on Tuesday. The team is exploring several options to serve as the backup behind Michael Busch. Infielders Jon Berti and Vidal Brujan are also expected to see time at first base during the spring. Canario has been exclusively deployed in the outfield throughout his professional career but could have another route to making the Opening Day roster. Currently, the Chicago outfield is quite crowded at the major league level and has several options in the system, including Owen Caissie and Kevin Alcantara. Over the past two seasons, Canario logged only 21 games in the majors but has performed well, holding a .286/.333/.524 line. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Canario's status during spring training as he could carve out a permanent role on the depth chart.

Because of the fact that Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner (elbow) isn't a lock for Opening Day in 2025, utility men Vidal Brujan, Alexander Canario and Gage Workman are safe picks for the roster going into spring training, according to MLB.com's Jordan Bastian. The Cubs acquired Brujan from the Miami Marlins this offseason, and the 27-year-old can play both infield and outfield. Canario is out of minor-league options and will give the Cubs a right-handed bat off the bench against lefties. Workman can play multiple infield positions, but as a Rule 5 pick, he must remain on the big-league roster or be sent back to the Detroit Tigers. Once a top prospect of the Tampa Bay Rays, Brujan has struggled offensively in the majors, but he certainly will give Chicago positional flexibility. Canario, 24, has an .857 OPS in just 52 major-league at-bats the last two years.

Chicago Cubs outfield prospect Alexander Canario is hitting well in the Dominican Winter League, with his slashline now up to .321/.413/.604 with four home runs in 63 plate appearances. Canario finished 2023 as the Cubs 11th-ranked prospect, but has since fallen outside the top 30. The 24-year-old has briefly seen the majors in each of the last two seasons, and while he's 12-for-42 (.286) with a pair of home runs, the 42.2% strikeout rate that came with it is unacceptable. The good news is that the strikeouts might be something he's working on over the winter, currently with an 8:9 BB:K for the Cibaenas. The Cubs already have a crowded outfield, but with Cody Bellinger likely on the move, it could help free up the logjam a bit so that Canario could end up at least being a bench bat for the Cubs in 2025. If that were the case, he wouldn't move the needle for fantasy, but if he were able to somehow crack the starting roster, his power would be something for managers to consider.

Chicago Cubs Triple-A outfielder Alexander Canario is headed to Baltimore on Thursday to join the big-league roster, which could mean that outfielder Cody Bellinger (finger) is heading to the 10-day injured list after getting hit by a pitch on his hand on Wednesday. An injured-list stint for Bellinger would surely complicate his trade market with the July 30 trade deadline quickly approaching. The 24-year-old Canario made his big-league debut in 2023 and played in 13 games earlier this year before being sent to Iowa. He's hit .282 (11-for-39) with two home runs and eight RBI in 19 career games for the Cubs but will likely operate as outfield depth if Bellinger goes on the IL. Rookie Pete Crow-Armstrong figures to serve as the team's everyday center fielder if Bellinger needs time to rest his injured finger.

Chicago Cubs outfielder Alexander Canario launched two home runs on Thursday evening, a feat he has accomplished twice this week. The 24-year-old has been swinging a hot bat lately with Triple-A and is nearing a return to the major leagues. Since May 18, the young outfielder has posted a .326/404/.826 line with six home runs, 13 RBI, one stolen base, and a 6:12 BB:K ratio. Canario has gotten a small taste of the majors earlier this spring and last season and held an overall .282/.333/.538 line with two home runs. While he should be back in Chicago later this summer, the Cubs have a surplus of outfielders, which could limit his playing time once again. For now, Canario should be left on waiver wires but could be worth stashing if he is eventually given a full-time role.

Chicago Cubs outfielder Alexander Canario launched his fifth and sixth long balls of the season on Thursday evening. Through 24 games with Triple-A Iowa, the 24-year-old has posted a strong .286/.375/.571 slash line. Canario spent 13 games in the major leagues this spring and performed quite well in his limited opportunities with a .273 average. Since returning to Triple-A on May 9, Canario has been swinging an awfully hot bat with a .304/.373/.674 line with four home runs and one swiped bag. The young outfielder should get another shot in the majors later this summer but may have to wait for an injury to occur, as the Cubs have four capable starting outfielders on their roster in Cody Bellinger, Seiya Suzuki, Ian Happ, and Mike Tauchman. Canario could be worth an addition in NL-only formats if/when he rejoins Chicago.

The Chicago Cubs are reportedly calling up outfield prospect Alexander Canario from Triple-A Iowa on Monday, according to a source. The team's No. 10 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, was off to a good start in Iowa before the promotion, going 14-for-52 (.269) with two home runs and seven RBI in 61 plate appearances over his first 13 games. The 23-year-old Dominican outfielder made his major-league debut with the Cubs in 2023 and went 5-for-17 with a home run and six RBI in just six games in 2023 and will now presumably serve in a reserve outfield role for the Cubs now that he's back in the big leagues for now. The right-handed hitter has plus power but probably won't hit for a high average in the majors because of his swing-and-miss potential. Canario has played all three outfield positions but has below-average speed and is merely an average defender.

The Chicago Cubs are sending outfield prospect Alexander Canario down to Triple-A Iowa to begin the 2024 season. Canario, the team's No. 14 prospect per MLB Pipeline, won't open the season in the big leagues for the first time in his career, but we expect to see the 23-year-old make at the major-league level at some point in 2024. He missed most of last season after having multiple surgeries but was called up to the big leagues in Chicago, going 5-for-17 with a homer and six RBI in six games played. Canario should eventually gain outfield eligibility for fantasy managers in NL-only and dynasty/keeper leagues, but it's hard to envision him finding much playing time in Chicago unless an injury or two strikes. He can be avoided in mixed leagues for now.

The Chicago Cubs have called up outfield prospect Alexander Canario from Triple-A Iowa with rosters expanding to 28 players on Friday. The Cubs' No. 14 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, is not in the starting lineup for Game 1 of a doubleheader on Friday against the Cincinnati Reds. The 23-year-old Dominican has only played in 53 games with High-A South Bend and Iowa this year due to injury, and he's hit .273/.356/.488 with an .844 OPS, nine home runs, 15 doubles, a triple, 47 RBI and 33 runs scored in 233 plate appearances. The right-handed hitter has impressive raw power, but he'll need to cut down on his strikeouts if he's going to have success at the next level. With the Cubs in the middle of a run for a wild-card spot in September, it's unlikely that Canario will see much playing time in the big leagues.

Chicago Cubs outfielder Alexander Canario went 1-for-4 with a solo home run for Triple-A Iowa on Thursday. Canario opened the season with High-A South Bend, but spent the bulk of his season for Double-A Tennessee and has spent the last 15 games with Iowa. The 22-year-old was one of the prospects the Cubs received for Kris Bryant during last years trade deadline and he has impressed in his first full year with the Cubs franchise. Never playing above High-A with the Giants organization, Canario has ascended throughout the minor leagues with the Cubs. Between all three stops this season, the outfielder has shown plenty of power with 35 homers to go along with 92 RBI, 22 stolen bases and a .255 batting average. The Cubs have plenty of holes on their roster and Canario could have a true shot at competing for a corner outfield spot entering 2023. With his power display this year and his body continuing to mature, Canario is someone that dynasty managers should consider targeting entering next season.

Chicago Cubs outfield prospect Alexander Canario will look to go yard for his fifth straight game on Friday for High-A South Bend. The 21-year-old out of the Dominican Republic was one of the pieces in the Kris Bryant during last years trade deadline and has been off to an impressive start. Homering in four straight games, Canario is hitting .289 with seven home runs, 22 RBI and three stolen bases. He has also hit six doubles and has a .980 OPS over his first 22 games. Canario is showing impressive power and electric bat speed, but he has struggled with his patience at the plate and has 34 strikeouts on the season versus nine walks. Still developing, Canario needs to learn to have more persistence at the plate and not chase every pitch thrown at him. As long as he can improve on that, he will have a chance to help the Cubs and future fantasy managers. Canario remains far away from making the show, but improved plate discipline could make a big difference for the young outfielder.

Chicago Cubs outfield prospect Alexander Canario impressed at High-A this past week. He went 13-for-26 with four homers, nine RBI, and a pair of stolen bases. This impressive line from the last seven days provides evidence that Canario is capable of putting the ball in play with his loud bat. MLB Pipeline ranks Canario 18th among Cubs prospects heading into the 2022 season. Signed by the Giants in 2016, Canario was traded to Chicago in last summer's deadline-day swap headlined by Kris Bryant. The 21-year-old outfielder has impressive raw power and bat speed, though he's had a tendency to get over-aggressive and whiff as a result. He's an impressive athlete with good speed out of the box and a strong arm that bodes well for his future in right field. Although he's still a couple of years removed from a potential MLB debut, it's not hard to imagine a scenario in which Canario has fantasy value as soon as 2024.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Kris Bryant was the face of the Chicago Cubs for a long time. His new bosses in San Francisco were thrilled that joining the Giants meant so much to him, despite the emotions of leaving the only major league team he's ever known. Bryant grew up in Las Vegas and loved to watch Giants slugger Barry Bonds — and now the versatile star will get a chance to play not only in the home run king's former spot in left field, but all over the diamond. The first-place Giants made a big splash just before the trade deadline Friday by acquiring Bryant from the Cubs for two minor leaguers. “Could not be more excited to be a Giant,” president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi said. “I’ve had a number of phone calls after trades with players. Never spoken to a player more excited to be coming to a new organization.” The 29-year-old Bryant, whose NL MVP season of 2016 helped the Cubs win their first World Series title in 108 years, got word while wearing his Chicago uniform and was... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Kris Bryant was the face of the Chicago Cubs for a long time. His new bosses in San Francisco were thrilled that joining the Giants meant so much to him, despite the emotions of leaving the only major league team he's ever known. Bryant grew up in Las Vegas and loved to watch Giants slugger Barry Bonds — and now the versatile star will get a chance to play not only in the home run king's former spot in left field, but all over the diamond. The first-place Giants made a big splash just before the trade deadline Friday by acquiring Bryant from the Cubs for two minor leaguers. “Could not be more excited to be a Giant,” president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi said. “I’ve had a number of phone calls after trades with players. Never spoken to a player more excited to be coming to a new organization.” The 29-year-old Bryant, whose NL MVP season of 2016 helped the Cubs win their first World Series title in 108 years, got word while wearing his Chicago uniform and was... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The first-place San Francisco Giants made a big splash just before the trade deadline Friday, acquiring star slugger Kris Bryant from the Chicago Cubs for two minor leaguers. San Francisco sought an experienced third baseman given the club has been without Evan Longoria because of a sprained shoulder since June 5, when he got hurt in a collision with shortstop Brandon Crawford. Longoria is on the 60-day injured list. Chicago received right-hander Caleb Kilian and outfielder Alexander Canario in the deal. The 29-year-old Bryant, who can become a free agent after this season, was one of the top position players available on the market as the disappointing Cubs sold off several stars. He is batting .267 with 18 home runs and 51 RBIs. The versatile Bryant, a four-time All-Star, was the 2015 NL Rookie of the Year and 2016 NL MVP, when he helped the Cubs win the World Series to end a 108-year championship drought. The surprising Giants began the day with a three-game lead in the NL West over their biggest rivals, the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers. ___ AP Baseball Writer Mike Fitzpatrick contributed. ___ More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports