MLB Player News

The Rays have formalized the completion of Diaz's $13 million vesting option for 2027, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Diaz's contract became eligible to vest when Diaz reached 500 plate appearances in August, but he also needed to finish the campaign healthy for the option to kick in. That indeed happened, and the veteran slugger will now be under contract for $13 million next season. Diaz had another strong campaign in 2026, posting a .293/.359/.446 slash line with 22 home runs, 93 runs, 85 RBI and three stolen bases over 154 regular-season games. He batted .333 with two homers in the ALCS to help lead Tampa Bay to the World Series, though he went just 3-for-20 with only one RBI in five games against Milwaukee as the Rays fell short of the title.

The Reds declined Suarez's $16 million mutual option for 2027 on Saturday.

After slugging 49 home runs in 2025, Suarez's production took a step back this season as he slashed .212/.307/.433 with 26 homers, 74 RBI and 50 runs scored across 498 plate appearances. Now a free agent, Suarez still has enough power in his swing that he shouldn't have much trouble finding a team to play for in 2027.

Pederson declined his side of an $18.5 million mutual option for 2027 on Friday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Pederson had a nice bounce-back season in 2026, collecting an .816 OPS with 26 home runs over 136 contests. Because he's a platoon designated hitter with no defensive value, Pederson could have a limited market this winter despite coming off a strong offensive season.

The Twins declined Bell's $10 million club option for 2027 on Friday.

Bell will be given a $1.25 million buyout instead. The 34-year-old's lone season in Minnesota was a productive one, as he finished with a .255/.319/.419 batting line, 21 home runs and 96 RBI. Bell might have trouble landing a multi-year contract this offseason, but he should be able to find a team willing to give him regular at-bats at designated hitter and/or first base in 2027.

Yoshida is unlikely to return to the Red Sox next season, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Yoshida had a solid showing offensively in 2026 when healthy, slashing .274/.347/.399 with five home runs and a 28:33 BB:K over 87 contests. However, Yoshida is basically unplayable in the outfield, and the Red Sox are already well-stocked with outfielders, anyway. The 33-year-old is owed $18 million in 2027 in his final year under contract, and the Red Sox might be willing to just eat that contract if they're unable to find a trade partner.

Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said Wednesday that Ohtani will not require offseason surgery on his left knee or right biceps, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Ohtani dealt with nagging knee and biceps issues that kept him from pitching after July 3 and affected his offensive production in the second half (.245/.325/.447, eight home runs). However, the belief is Ohtani will heal with rest and be 100 percent by the time spring training rolls around. Friedman also noted Wednesday that he "fully expects" Ohtani to be a two-way player again in 2027.

Diaz went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Game 6 of the ALCS against the Guardians on Monday.

Diaz now has an extra-base hit in four straight contests, going 7-for-18 with three doubles, two homers, four RBI and five runs during that span. The 35-year-old's homer Monday provided some key insurance runs late, pushing Tampa Bay's lead to 7-3 in the eighth inning to help secure a World Series berth. Diaz has a .906 OPS in 41 plate appearances during the postseason.

Diaz went 2-for-5 with a double, a two-run homer and an additional run scored in Game 4 of the ALCS against the Guardians on Saturday.

Diaz scored Tampa Bay's first run after doubling during the third inning and provided some late insurance with a two-run homer in the top of the ninth to stretch the lead to 7-3. It's been a productive series thus far for the 35-year-old slugger, who is batting .278 (5-for-18) with three doubles, a homer, two RBI and four runs through four games.

Ohtani intends to pitch in 2027, Brian Murphy of MLB.com reports. "Yes, definitely," Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton when asked if he plans to pitch in 2027. "And looking forward to having a better season next year."

It remains to be seen whether Ohtani will have any offseason physical procedures, and how a potential lockout might affect his rehab and subsequent return date. Ohtani was great when he pitched, but he was last able to pitch July 3 due to his left knee injury and later biceps inflammation.

Ohtani went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run and three strikeouts in Game 4 of the NLCS against the Brewers on Thursday.

After being bumped down in the order, the Japanese superstar returned to the leadoff spot Thursday and gave the Dodgers some hope and a 4-0 lead in the second inning with a three-run homer, which was his first long ball since Aug. 18 in Colorado. However, Ohtani struck out in his other three plate appearances, including during the seventh with one out and the tying run on third base. The 32-year-old played through nagging knee and biceps injuries down the stretch and finished the playoffs with a .192/.323/.308 slash line in eight games, with his struggles being reflective of the Dodgers offense as a whole while being swept by the Brewers. According to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, Ohtani isn't sure if he'll require any surgeries during the offseason to address the injuries, which leaves his availability heading into spring training a bit up in the air.