MLB Player News
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Steven Matz SP | TB
Rays' Steven Matz: Latches on with Tampa Bay
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.
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Chase Silseth RP | LAA
Angels' Chase Silseth: Will be used as reliever in 2026
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.
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Ben Joyce RP | LAA
Angels' Ben Joyce: In mix to close games in 2026
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.
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Robert Stephenson RP | LAA
Angels' Robert Stephenson: Could get shot to close in 2026
Stephenson (elbow) could get an opportunity to serve as the Angels' closer next season, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports.
General manager Perry Minasian said Monday that the team is undecided whether it will add an established closer to replace free agent Kenley Jansen. As things stand right now, Stephenson and Ben Joyce (shoulder) appear to be the top in-house candidates for the role. Stephenson missed the entire 2024 season following UCL reconstruction with an internal brace, and he was limited to just 12 appearances for the Angels and eight rehab outings in 2025 because of more arm issues. The righty finished this past season on the injured list with right elbow inflammation, and it's unclear whether he's been able to have a normal offseason throwing program. Stephenson is owed $11 million in 2026 and the Angels have a $2.5 million option on him for 2027 that vested after he needed UCL surgery.
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Jose Ferrer RP | SEA
Mariners' Jose Ferrer: Sent to Seattle
The Nationals traded Ferrer to the Mariners on Saturday in exchange for Harry Ford and minor-league pitcher Isaac Lyon, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
Ferrer finished the 2025 season with a 4.48 ERA and 1.27 WHIP over 76.1 innings, and he also recorded 11 saves upon taking over as the Nationals' closer following the departure of Kyle Finnegan. The Mariners' bullpen is a bit deeper than Washington's, however, so Ferrer is likely to take on a middle-relief role with his new club.
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Logan VanWey RP | HOU
Astros' Logan VanWey: Sent outright to Sugar Land
VanWey cleared waivers Friday and was outrighted to Triple-A Sugar Land, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
VanWey reached the majors for the first time in 2025 and logged a 5.06 ERA alongside a 1.69 WHIP over 10.2 innings. He now seems poised to begin the new season back in Triple-A, and the Astros could look to fill his spot on the 40-man roster during the Rule 5 Draft.
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Cooper Criswell RP | SEA
Red Sox's Cooper Criswell: Designated for assignment
The Red Sox designated Criswell for assignment Thursday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
The Red Sox re-signed Criswell to a one-year contract in early November, but he'll lose his roster spot less than one month later. He spent the majority of the 2025 season with Triple-A Worcester and should have the chance to contribute as a reliever at some point in 2026 if he sticks with the organization.
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Tyler Samaniego RP | BOS
Red Sox's Tyler Samaniego: Joining Red Sox
Samaniego was traded along with Johan Oviedo and Adonys Guzman from the Pirates to the Red Sox in exchange for Jhostynxon Garcia and Jesus Travieso on Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
The Pirates added Samaniego to the 40-man roster in mid-November, but he'll now try to reach the majors with the Red Sox. He'll be entering his age-27 season and has yet to pitch above Double-A, though he did post a strong 3.08 ERA and 0.92 WHIP across 26.1 innings with Altoona while working exclusively as a reliever. Samaniego is a strong candidate to begin the 2026 season with Triple-A Worcester, but he could provide depth to the Boston bullpen at some point in 2026.
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Grant Hartwig RP | MIN
Twins' Grant Hartwig: Inks NRI deal with Twins
The Twins signed Hartwig to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training Thursday, Darren Wolfson of Channel 5 Saint Paul reports.
Hartwig split the 2025 season between Triple-A Syracuse in the Mets organization and with the Hanshin Tigers of Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan. Slated to turn 28 later this month, Hartwig has collected a 5.14 ERA and 34:19 K:BB over 42 innings during his time at the big-league level.
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Connor Brogdon RP | CLE
Guardians' Connor Brogdon: Grabs MLB deal from Guardians
The Guardians signed Brogdon to a one-year, $900,000 contract Wednesday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.
Brogdon made 43 appearances for the Angels in 2025, putting up a 5.55 ERA and 49:18 K:BB over 47 innings. Slated to turn 31 next month, Brogdon hasn't had much success at the big-league level since 2022, but the Guardians felt the right-handed reliever was worthy of a major-league deal. Brogdon will have an additional year of arbitration eligibility in 2027.