MLB Player News
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Tanner Rainey RP | DET
Tigers' Tanner Rainey: Returns to Detroit on minors pact
The Tigers re-signed Rainey to a minor-league contract Wednesday.
Rainey was non-tendered by the Tigers last week, but he's now back in the organization on a minor-league pact. The right-handed reliever hasn't been the same since Tommy John surgery, posting a 5.79 ERA and 55:38 K:BB over 60.2 innings over the last two seasons at the big-league level.
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Josh Hader RP | HOU
Astros' Josh Hader: Expects normal offseason
Hader (shoulder) stated Monday that he feels back at full strength after completing his rehab program a few weeks ago, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Hader's 2025 season came to an early end after he was diagnosed with a left shoulder strain, but he's feeling strong after finishing up his rehab. The lefty noted Monday that he thinks he'll be able to throw as he normally would leading up to spring training. "It should be normal," said Hader. "Obviously, intensity gets up and we'll see how that goes and how I'm recovering, bouncing back from that. But as of now, everything is status quo, back to normal."
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Matt Krook RP | ATH
Athletics' Matt Krook: Signs on with A's
Krook agreed to a minor-league contract with the Athletics on Saturday.
Krook elected free agency earlier in the month after being sent outright to Cleveland's Triple-A affiliate, and he's since decided to return to the A's. He made three appearances for the Athletics during the 2025 season, surrendering two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out three over 3.1 innings.
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Yerry Rodriguez RP | NYY
Yankees' Yerry Rodriguez: Inks MiLB pact with Yankees
The Yankees signed Rodriguez (elbow) to a minor-league contract Monday.
Per Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors, it's a two-year deal for Rodriguez, who is aiming to return around midseason after having Tommy John surgery this past spring. The 28-year-old reliever holds an 8.17 ERA and 33:19 K:BB over 36.1 innings covering parts of three seasons at the big-league level.
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Matt Festa RP | CLE
Guardians' Matt Festa: Avoids arbitration
Festa agreed to a one-year, $1 million contract with the Guardians on Friday to avoid arbitration, Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Festa pitched a career-high 54.2 innings in 2025 while also maintaining a solid 1.08 WHIP with a 56:15 K:BB. He also racked up 12 holds and should line up for a high-leverage role out of the bullpen once again in 2026.
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Enyel De Los Santos RP | HOU
Astros' Enyel De Los Santos: Sticking with Houston
De Los Santos signed a one-year contract with the Astros on Friday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
De Los Santos put up a 4.03 ERA and 1.25 WHIP over 22.1 innings after signing with the Astros in August, and his new deal will ensure he remains in the organization for the start of the 2026 campaign -- likely serving as a middle reliever.
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Felix Bautista RP | BAL
Orioles' Felix Bautista: Staying in Baltimore
Bautista and the Orioles avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.25 million contract Friday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
Bautista is not expected to be available until late next season after undergoing surgery in August to repair a torn labrum and torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder. Prior to the injury, Bautista appeared in 35 games for the Orioles, converting 19 of 20 save opportunities while posting a 2.60 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 50:23 K:BB across 34.2 innings.
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Beau Brieske RP | DET
Tigers' Beau Brieske: Settles with Detroit
The Tigers and Brieske (forearm) avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.1575 million contract Friday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
It was a forgettable 2025 season for Brieske, as he held a 6.55 ERA over 22 appearances with the big club and ended the year with a right forearm strain. It's not clear what his current health status is, but if his pitching arm is sound, Brieske will attempt to pitch his way back into the Tigers' Opening Day bullpen.
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Cole Sulser RP | TB
Rays' Cole Sulser: Avoids arbitration with Rays
The Rays and Sulser avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.05 million contract, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Sulser receives a small raise in his second year of arbitration eligibility. Slated to turn 36 in March, Sulser made 18 appearances out of the Rays' bullpen in 2025, collecting a 1.99 ERA and 22:7 K:BB over 22.2 innings. He'll likely fill a middle relief role in 2026.
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Jake Woodford RP | ARI
Rays' Jake Woodford: Nabs NRI deal with Rays
The Rays signed Woodford to a minor-league contract Friday with an invitation to spring training, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.
Woodford made 22 relief appearances for the Diamondbacks this season, posting a 6.44 ERA and 23:13 K:BB over 36.1 frames. The 29-year-old right will compete for a spot on the Rays' Opening Day roster but is likely to begin the 2026 campaign at Triple-A Durham.