MLB Player News

The Athletics signed Leiter to a one-year, $3 million contract Thursday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Leiter was non-tendered by the Yankees last month after posting a 4.84 ERA and 1.53 WHIP over 48.1 regular-season innings in 2025, but a 3.55 FIP and 54:17 were encouraging. He's collected a 28.3 percent strikeout rate over the past four regular seasons and could be in the mix for saves as part of an unsettled Athletics bullpen.

The Yankees signed Hanner to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training Thursday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Hanner spent the 2025 campaign at Triple-A Columbus in the Guardians organization, posting a 4.74 ERA and 62:25 K:BB over 49.1 innings. The reliever will turn 27 in February and has yet to reach the majors, but Hanner boasts a career strikeout rate of 26.3 percent in the minors.

The Astros selected Munoz with the eighth pick of the Rule 5 Draft on Wednesday.

Munoz, 25, actually has plenty of MLB experience, unlike most Rule 5 picks. The hard-throwing righty logged 83.2 innings in the majors for Miami in 2024 before spending 2025 in the Cardinals organization, working primarily as a reliever at Triple-A. Munoz had a 3.28 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 76:30 K:BB in 57.2 innings last season at Triple-A.

The Athletics selected Watson with the sixth pick in the Rule 5 Draft on Wednesday and traded him to the Red Sox, per Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com.

A 28-year-old righty reliever from the Giants organization, Watson was originally drafted by the Orioles back in 2016 and he has never pitched in the big leagues. Last season, Watson logged a 4.26 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 64 strikeouts, 16 walks and nine saves in 50.2 innings in the Pacific Coast League. The Red Sox will likely use the 6-foot-5 Watson in low-leverage situations if he makes the Opening Day roster.

The Pirates selected Baumler with the fifth pick in the Rule 5 Draft on Wednesday and traded him to the Rangers, per Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News.

Baumler received a seven-figure bonus from the Orioles out of high school in 2020 but he has dealt with significant shoulder issues over the years. The 6-foot-2 righty touched 98 mph in 2025 while logging a 2.04 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 46 strikeouts in 39.2 innings as a reliever, primarily at High-A. The Rangers will likely attempt to use Baumler as a low-leverage reliever in 2026 before potentially sending him back to the minors in 2027.

The Orioles claimed Walker off waivers from Atlanta on Wednesday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Walker went from Baltimore to Atlanta via waiver claim less than a month ago, and he'll now head back to the Orioles. The left-hander holds a career 6.59 ERA and 31:14 K:BB over 27.1 innings covering parts of three big-league seasons. Walker does not have minor-league options remaining.

Finnegan signed a two-year, $19 million contract with the Tigers on Tuesday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

After turning in a 4.38 ERA and 1.28 WHIP over 39 innings with the Nationals, Finnegan became dominant on the mound once he moved from Washington to Detroit at the trade deadline, posting a 1.50 ERA and 0.72 WHIP with a 23:4 K:BB in 18 regular-season innings with the Tigers. He'll now officially stay put in the Motor City for the 2026 campaign and figures to remain in the mix for saves along with Will Vest.

Matz agreed to a two-year contract with the Rays on Monday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Matz will suit up for the sixth different team in his veteran career after coming to terms on what's believed to be a multi-year contract with Tampa Bay. The southpaw was used in a variety of scenarios during the 2025 campaign with Boston and St. Louis, which included him securing the first two saves of his big-league career along with five wins. He logged 76.2 innings across 53 appearances last season. It's unclear whether the Rays are planning to use Matz as a starter or reliever.

Angels general manager Perry Minasian said Monday that Silseth will be used as a reliever in 2026, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports.

All 10 of Silseth's appearances for the Angels in 2025 came out of the bullpen, and 11 of his 18 outings at Triple-A Salt Lake were in relief. The 25-year-old is out of minor-league options and will likely begin next season in a middle relief capacity.

The Angels could turn to Joyce (elbow) as their closer during the 2026 season, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports.

General manager Perry Minasian indicated Monday that he's undecided whether the team needs to add an established closer from outside the organization. If it doesn't, Joyce and Robert Stephenson (elbow) appear to be the top in-house candidates for the role. Both pitchers, however, are coming off injuries, with Joyce missing most of 2025 following surgery to repair the labrum in his right shoulder. It's unclear where Joyce is currently at in his throwing program, and it's also not a given that his stuff will return to what it was pre-surgery, making him an iffy guy to count on for 2026.