Several former Major Leaguers who’ve spent the last few years in Asia have come back to North America this winter. Yet another joined them on December 18, as ex-Twins and Yankees outfielder Tyler Austin will come back to join the Chicago Cubs for the 2026 season.

Austin back in MLB

Former Yankee Tyler Austin is back in the Majors. The Cubs signed Austin to a one-year deal on December 18, reportedly worth a shade over $1MM per multiple reports.

Austin was a former top prospect in the Yankees’ farm system. He made his MLB debut in 2016, and his high-water mark came two years later when he hit 17 cumulative home runs between the Yankees and Twins in 2018. He last played in the Majors back in 2019.

He’s spent the past six seasons with the Yokohama Bayhawks of the NPB. Austin had some very good seasons with Yokohama, including in 2024 when he slashed .312/.378/.594 with 26 home runs and 63 extra-base hits over 111 games.

White Sox acquire Peters

The White Sox acquired Tristan Peters in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays. Chicago sent cash to the Rays, the team that DFA’d Peters earlier in the week.

Peters, a 25-year-old outfielder, received 12 plate appearances as a rookie with the Rays this past season. The former Brewers draft pick was a high walk-rate hitter in the Minors. Peters walked 65 times (11.7%) last season in 136 games with Triple-A Durham in 2025.

He also hit 15 home runs and 46 total extra-base hits.

Rangers make moves

The Rangers signed former Diamondbacks catcher Jose Herrera and ex-Marlins pitcher Anthony Veneziano to Minor League deals. Both came with invites to 2026 Spring Training as non-roster players.

Herrera and Veneziano were among seven names as non-roster invites for Rangers camp. Among them were re-signed pitcher Gavin Collyer, former Marlins infielder Jonah Bride, catcher Cooper Johnson, infielder Andrew Velazquez, and utilityman Tyler Wade.

Check out more of our MLB coverage, including a look at the Padres’ re-signing of Michael King.