MLB Player News

Brash and the Mariners agreed to a one-year contract to avoid arbitration on Thursday, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Brash has been a key high-leverage reliever for the Mariners across the last two seasons, racking up a combined eight saves and 46 holds. He should serve in a similar capacity in 2026, working as the primary setup man to Andres Munoz. This was Brash's first year of arbitration eligibility.

Abreu signed a one-year, $5.85 million contract with the Astros on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Abreu was one of five relief pitchers in 2025 to record 100-plus strikeouts, doing so for a third consecutive season while boasting a 35.5 percent strikeout rate and 41.2 percent whiff rate. He finished the year with a 2.28 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 25 holds over 71 innings while recording a career-high seven saves, though that opportunity came only after Josh Hader (shoulder) landed on the IL in mid-August. With Hader on track to be fully healthy by Opening Day, Abreu should return to a setup role to begin 2026.

Mears agreed to a one-year, $1.9 million contract with the Royals on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Mears was traded from Milwaukee to Kansas City in December following his best season in the majors, during which he logged a 3.49 ERA and 0.97 WHIP over 56.2 regular-season innings. The 29-year-old will now receive a $937,000 raise from his new club and is expected to begin the new year as a middle reliever for the Royals.

Schreiber agreed to a one-year, $3.715 million contract with the Royals on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Schreiber's $1.415 million raise comes after he posted a 3.80 ERA and 1.19 WHIP across 64 innings while collecting 23 holds in 2025. The Royals acquired Matt Strahm from Philadelphia in December, which figures to lessen the number of high-leverage opportunities available for Schreiber in 2026, but he should still collect his fair share of holds again this year. The 31-year-old righty is due to enter the open market next offseason.

Holton and the Tigers agreed to a one-year, $1.575 million contract Thursday to avoid arbitration, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Holton was a solid presence for the Tigers' bullpen in 2025, making a career-high 70 appearances (six starts as an opener) during the regular season while posting a 3.66 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 18 holds and a 64:17 K:BB across 78.2 innings. The 29-year-old southpaw should continue to operate in high-leverage situations for Detroit in 2026.

Baker agreed to a one-year, $1.275 million contract with the Rays on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Baker didn't live up to the expectations the Rays had for him when they traded for him in July, as he put up a 4.75 ERA and 1.12 WHIP over 30.1 innings while working as a setup man. He'll get another chance to redeem himself in 2026, as the Rays are expected to open the campaign with Griffin Jax, Garrett Cleavinger and Edwin Uceta working as a closer committee.

Kelly agreed to a one-year, $925,000 contract with the Rays on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Kelly missed more than a month toward the start of the 2025 season due to a glute strain and struggled to be effective on the mound after returning, finishing the year with a 5.90 ERA and 1.36 WHIP across 39.2 frames. He'll take just a $149,000 pay raise as a result and will likely be limited to middle-relief duty until he recaptures his previous form.

Pepiot agreed to a one-year, $3.025 million contract with the Rays on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Pepiot made a career-high 31 starts for the Rays in 2025 but finished the season with a career-worst 3.86 ERA over 167.2 innings, largely due to his allowing 26 homers. The 28-year-old righty will receive a $2.25 million raise from Tampa Bay during his first year of arbitration eligibility and projects to be one of the top starters in the Rays' rotation in 2026.

Doval agreed to a one-year, $6.1 million contract with the Yankees on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Jorge Castillo of ESPN.com reports.

After a disappointing 2024 campaign, Doval bounced back over 69 regular-season appearances between the Giants and Yankees last year, finishing with a 3.58 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 72:35 K:BB in 65.1 innings while recording 16 saves and 10 holds. The right-hander is likely to open 2026 as New York's top setup man ahead of closer David Bednar.

Wilson signed a one-year, $1.52 million contract with the Rays on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Wilson joined the Rays in November via trade and will now receive a $570,000 raise from his new club after posting a 3.42 ERA and 1.30 WHIP over 55.1 innings with the White Sox in 2025. Although he made several appearances in high-leverage situations with Chicago, the 31-year-old righty will likely be relegated to a middle-relief role in the Rays' bullpen this upcoming season.