MLB Player News
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Paul Blackburn SP | NYY
Yankees' Paul Blackburn: Back with Yankees on one-year deal
The Yankees signed Blackburn to a one-year, $2 million contract Saturday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
Blackburn began last season with the Mets but was released in mid-August. He was subsequently signed by the Yankees, with whom he made eight appearances out of the bullpen, posting a 5.28 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 16:4 K:BB over 15.1 regular-season innings. While those numbers aren't impressive, the bulk of the damage against him came in his team debut, when he gave up seven runs over 3.1 frames against Boston. Over his remaining seven appearances, Blackburn was much more effective, yielding just three runs (two earned) while posting a 14:2 K:BB across 12 innings. The veteran right-hander will likely work as a middle- and long-relief option next season with New York and also gives the team rotation depth given his history of working as a big-league starter.
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Joshua Walker RP | BAL
Orioles' Josh Walker: DFA'd by Baltimore
The Orioles designated Walker for assignment Friday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
Walker was claimed off waivers from Atlanta earlier this month after he was previously DFA'd by Baltimore in November. He's now going to be exposed to waivers once again. The 31-year-old left-hander appeared in three games for Toronto last season, turning in a 7.20 ERA, 2.00 WHIP and 8:2 K:BB across five innings of work at the big-league level.
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Matt Strahm RP | KC
Royals' Matt Strahm: Headed back to Kansas City
The Royals acquired Strahm from the Phillies on Friday in exchange for Jonathan Bowlan, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
It's a homecoming for Strahm, who was drafted by and first reached the majors with the Royals. The left-hander has been one of the best relievers in baseball in recent years, posting a 2.71 ERA, 30.5 percent strikeout rate and 6.2 percent walk rate over the last three regular seasons for the Phillies. Strahm will fill a high-leverage role ahead of closer Carlos Estevez.
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Shawn Armstrong RP | CLE
Guardians' Shawn Armstrong: Gets one-year deal from Cleveland
The Guardians signed Armstrong to a one-year, $5.5 million contract Thursday that includes a mutual option for 2027, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
The 35-year-old Armstrong had arguably the best season of his career in 2025 with the Rangers, putting up a 2.31 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 74:20 K:BB over 74 innings. It's a return to the organization that drafted him and where he debuted back in 2015 for Armstrong. The right-hander should be used in a setup role ahead of closer Cade Smith.
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Anthony Veneziano RP | TEX
Rangers' Anthony Veneziano: Gets NRI deal with Rangers
The Rangers signed Veneziano to a minor-league contract Thursday that includes an invitation to spring training.
Veneziano made 26 appearances in the majors in 2025 between the Marlins and Cardinals, holding a 4.68 ERA, a 1.56 WHIP and 25:11 K:BB across 25 innings. The lefty will compete for a spot in the Rangers' bullpen but, in all likelihood, will begin the 2026 season at Triple-A Round Rock.
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Justin Bruihl RP | STL
Guardians' Justin Bruihl: Traded to Cleveland
The Guardians acquired Bruihl from the Blue Jays on Wednesday in exchange for cash considerations.
Bruihl held a 5.27 ERA and 18:7 K:BB across 13.2 frames at the major-league level during the 2025 regular season. The left-handed reliever does not have minor-league options remaining, so he should have a good chance to crack the Guardians' Opening Day bullpen.
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Kenley Jansen RP | DET
Tigers' Kenley Jansen: POBO won't commit to closer
Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris stopped short of naming Jansen the team's closer Wednesday, saying that there are "at least three or four closer types" on the roster, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Jansen is 24 saves shy of 500 for his career and has been adamant about reaching that milestone, but it seems he was not promised the closer role in Detroit when he agreed to a one-year, $11 million contract. Harris said that who closes for the Tigers will be up to manager A.J. Hinch. While Jansen remains the favorite to see the bulk of the save opportunities, Kyle Finnegan, Will Vest and Tyler Holton could be in the mix, as well.
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Joel Kuhnel RP | ATH
Athletics' Joel Kuhnel: Nabs MiLB deal from Athletics
The Athletics signed Kuhnel to a minor-league contract Tuesday.
Kuhnel spent all of the 2025 season at the Triple-A level in the Phillies and Yankees organizations. The big right-hander holds a career 5.86 ERA and 76:24 K:BB over 93.2 frames covering parts of five big-league seasons. Kuhnel will likely begin the 2026 campaign at Triple-A Las Vegas.
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Sean Guenther RP | DET
Tigers' Sean Guenther: Re-signs with Detroit
The Tigers re-signed Guenther (hip) to a minor-league contract Tuesday.
Guenther was non-tendered by the Tigers in November but will return to the organization on a minor-league deal. The left-hander underwent a left hip arthroscopy in July and it's not clear whether he will be fully cleared to participate in spring training.
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Jordan Romano RP | LAA
Angels' Jordan Romano: Angels do not have set closer
Angels general manager Perry Minasian said Wednesday after the signings of Romano and Drew Pomeranz that the team does not have a set closer, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
Romano and Pomeranz have been added to a late-inning mix that includes Ben Joyce (shoulder), Robert Stephenson (elbow) and Ryan Zeferjahn. The 32-year-old Romano has easily the most closer experience of the group, but he's coming off an up-and-down 2025 season with the Phillies that saw him finish with an 8.23 ERA. Minasian also noted that he wants to continue to supplement the bullpen and could acquire a closer from outside the organization.