The Nationals claimed Varland (undisclosed) off waivers from the Diamondbacks on Thursday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Varland didn't pitch during the final three months of the 2025 season due to an undisclosed injury, and it's unclear what his current health status is. The right-handed reliever has collected a 4.82 ERA and 47:24 K:BB across 46.2 frames covering parts of two major-league seasons.

The Mets designated Criswell for assignment Wednesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Criswell will end up as the roster casualty necessary to create space on the Mets' 40-man following the acquisition of Freddy Peralta and Tobias Myers from Milwaukee on Wednesday. Criswell made seven regular-season appearances with the Red Sox last year, during which he logged a 3.57 ERA and 1.58 WHIP across 17.2 innings. If he passes through waivers unclaimed, he will likely spend the majority of 2026 at Triple-A Syracuse with a chance to make an occasional appearance in the majors.

The Brewers traded Myers and Freddy Peralta to the Mets on Wednesday in exchange for Jett Williams and Brandon Sproat, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

While Peralta is the most notable addition to the Mets' pitching staff from the trade, Myers has been productive in his own right, posting a 3.15 ERA and 1.22 WHIP over 188.2 frames since reaching the majors in 2024. He worked primarily as a long reliever for the Brewers in 2025 but will likely get a chance to compete for a spot in New York's rotation during spring training.

The Mets signed Garcia to a one-year, $1.75 million contract Wednesday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

He'll have an opportunity to earn an additional $1.25 million in incentives. Garcia pitched for three different teams in 2025, finishing with a 3.42 ERA and 48:26 K:BB over 55.1 frames between the Dodgers, Nationals and Angels. He will turn 39 next week and will fill a middle-relief role in Queens.

Atlanta signed Reid-Foley to a minor-league contract Jan. 14.

Reid-Foley spent all of the 2025 season at the Triple-A level split between the Mets and Diamondbacks organizations, posting a 7.07 ERA and 39:33 K:BB over 28 innings. The 30-year-old has appeared in parts of seven big-league seasons, holding a 4.10 ERA across 71 appearances (13 starts).

The Marlins acquired Blalock from the Rockies on Tuesday in exchange for Jake Brooks, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Blalock had been designated for assignment last week and is now headed to a new organization. The right-hander holds an abysmal 8.16 ERA and 47:43 K:BB over 89.1 innings in parts of two seasons at the major-league level, but the Marlins appear optimistic they can get more out of Blalock. The 25-year-old will give Miami some rotation depth following its trades of Edward Cabrera and Ryan Weathers.

Penrod agreed to a minor-league contract with the Nationals on Monday, which includes an invitation to spring training, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Penrod began the 2025 campaign in the Red Sox organization before being traded to the Dodgers in June. He ended the season with Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he posted an 8.65 ERA and 2.42 WHIP with a 23:30 K:BB across 26.0 innings.

The Cubs signed Thornton (Achilles) to a contract Monday, Tread Athletics reports.

It's not clear whether it's a major- or minor-league contract, but Thornton has landed a deal after throwing for teams in a "Pro Day" at Tread Athletics training facility. Thornton had surgery in August to repair a torn left Achilles tendon but has a chance to be ready in time for Opening Day. The right-handed reliever posted a 4.68 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 32:14 K:BB over 42.1 innings for the Mariners in 2025 before getting hurt.

Burke was traded from the Angels to the Reds in a three-team deal Thursday that also included the Rays, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports. The full trade has Gavin Lux and Chris Clark are going to Tampa Bay while Josh Lowe heads to Anaheim.

The Reds swapped Lux for Burke in this trade, which is the club's latest in a series of moves to bolster its bullpen. Burke had a solid 3.36 ERA and 1.23 WHIP across 61.2 innings in 2025, and he has served in a high-leverage role for most of the last four seasons, recording 37 holds but no saves.

The Diamondbacks designated Varland (undisclosed) for assignment Thursday.

The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Taylor Clarke. Varland has not made an appearance for Arizona, as he was a waiver claim in August and didn't pitch during the final three month of the season due to an undisclosed injury.