It was another busy week of the offseason, not so much for the Philadlephia Phillies, but for other teams who kept the news cycle churning. With less than three weeks until pitchers and catchers show up to spring training facilities in Florida and Arizona, teams are making moves to secure their rosters for the upcoming season.
The Phillies had a few notable news items pop up this week. But with all the big trades that happened just within the NL East (looking at you, New York Mets and Washington Nationals), most news out of Philadelphia paled in comparison. They officially inked J.T. Realmuto on Tuesday, which was by far the biggest news item, but smaller notes likely escaped many fans' attention.
Weston Wilson was claimed off waivers, the Phillies announced their spring training non-roster invitees, and we found out that Aaron Nola will be pitching for Team Italy in the 2026 WBC. But there's more, so let's dig in.
Phillies News: Ranger Suárez reveals his real name, in a surprise to everyone
Apparently we've been saying Ranger Suárez's name wrong all these years. The former Phillies hurler officially joined the Boston Red Sox this week and while his introductory press conference will have Phillies fans in their feels, he also raised some eyebrows with a curious revelation.
During the presser at Fenway Park, the Venezuelan told everyone that his name is, in fact, not Ranger, but Rangel (pronounced rahn-HEHL).
Wait, what?
That's only one letter different, but it completely changes his name.
"My name is actually Rangel, but however you guys want to address me," Suarez said through an interpreter. "Ranger is how most people do, so I'm comfortable with either..."
Philadelphia was mispronouncing Ranger Suárez' name wrong the whole time!?
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) January 22, 2026
THE WHOLE TIME!? pic.twitter.com/LAD5iVlKpX
So, while everyone in Philadelphia is left baffled by this news, it likely won't change how he's known in the City of Brotherly Love, his new home in Boston, or around the majors. He'll always be Ranger to us.
Suárez, who had spent his entire career in the Phillies organization, signed a five-year, $130 million contract with the Red Sox after being squeezed out of the Phillies' picture thanks to payroll constraints.
Phillies re-sign lefty Tim Mayza to minor-league deal
While other contenders were busy making big splashes on the free agent market and swinging big trades this week, the Phillies made a minor-league signing. Yes, it's exciting, so try to hang on to your seat.
They've re-signed left-hander Tim Mayza, according to The Athletic's Matt Gelb. Mayza, who appeared in eight games with the Phillies last season, will get an invitation to big league camp as a non-roster invitee. He'll join the battle for the three remaining bullpen spots.
The veteran reliever spent most of the 2025 season injured but came to Philadelphia in a trade after getting healthy with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He only threw 7 1/3 innings with the Phillies, posting a 4.91 ERA. Overall, between the two clubs, he had a 3.78 ERA in 16 1/3 innings. The Phillies included Mayza on the 2025 NLDS roster, but he didn't see any action in the four-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Former Phillies reliever Seranthony Domínguez signs in Chicago
To cap the week, former Phillies bullpen stalwart Seranthony Domínguez found a new home after sitting on the free agent market for almost three months. The 31-year-old right-hander landed a nice two-year, $20 million contract with the Chicago White Sox, per ESPN's Jeff Passan.
Right-handed reliever Seranthony Domínguez and the Chicago White Sox are in agreement on a two-year, $20 million contract, sources tell ESPN. Dominguez, 31, is expected to close for the White Sox, who use the money saved in the Luis Robert Jr. deal to continue adding this winter.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 23, 2026
Chicago had some money to burn after trading Luis Robert Jr. and his $20 million salary to the Mets earlier in the week. According to Passan, the White Sox intend to use Domínguez as their closer. He has 40 career saves, 28 of which he locked down with the Phillies.
Domínguez put together a solid 2025 season, split between the Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays. He finished the year with a 3.16 ERA and 79 strikeouts in 62 2/3 innings. After joining the Blue Jays at the trade deadline, he helped them get all the way to Game 7 of the World Series, posting a 3.18 ERA in 11 1/3 postseason innings.
Domínguez pitched for the Phillies from 2018 into the 2024 season before being dealt to Baltimore at the deadline. In 230 appearances, he had a 3.71 ERA and 253 strikeouts in 220 2/3 innings in Philadelphia. He would have been a nice insurance addition to the Phillies bullpen, but we wish him all the best in Chicago nonetheless.