MLB Player News
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Keegan Thompson RP | COL
Reds' Keegan Thompson: Designated for assignment
The Reds designated Thompson for assignment Saturday.
Thompson signed a major-league contract with the Reds in November, but he'll now be kicked off the 40-man roster to make room for JJ Bleday. The 30-year-old Thompson owns a 3.64 ERA across his MLB career but spent the entire 2025 campaign with the Cubs' Triple-A affiliate, posting a 4.43 ERA and 1.42 WHIP over 65 innings.
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Pete Fairbanks RP | MIA
Marlins' Pete Fairbanks: Lands in Miami on one-year deal
Fairbanks and the Marlins agreed Wednesday on a one-year, $13 million contract, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Tampa Bay declined Fairbanks' $11 million club option for 2026 earlier this offseason, but the reliever ended up securing an extra $2 million after hitting the open market. The deal also includes a $1 million signing bonus and another $1 million in appearance-based incentives, per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. The Marlins took a committee approach to the closer position in 2025, but Fairbanks' contract should give him some security as the Marlins' preferred ninth-inning man heading into spring training. Though staying healthy has often been an issue for Fairbanks throughout his career, he continued to pitch effectively in his age-31 season in 2025, logging a 2.83 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 59:18 K:BB while converting 27 of 32 save chances across 60.1 innings with the Rays.
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Jacob Webb RP | CHC
Cubs' Jacob Webb: Grabs MLB pact from Cubs
The Cubs signed Webb to a one-year contract Tuesday that includes a club option for 2027, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.
Webb was non-tendered by the Rangers last month even after posting a 3.00 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 58:19 K:BB across 66 innings during the 2025 season. The 32-year-old right-hander should fill a middle-relief role in the Cubs' bullpen.
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Oddanier Mosqueda RP | PIT
Pirates' Oddanier Mosqueda: Signs NRI deal with Pirates
The Pirates signed Mosqueda to a minor-league contract Tuesday that includes an invitation to spring training.
Mosqueda pitched for Triple-A Memphis in the Cardinals organization in 2025, holding a 4.52 ERA and 68:31 K:BB over 65.2 innings. The left-handed reliever has yet to reach the big leagues but will compete for a roster spot in spring training.
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Ronny Henriquez RP | MIA
Marlins' Ronny Henriquez: To miss 2026 season
Henriquez underwent a UCL reconstruction surgery with an internal brace procedure on his right elbow and will miss the 2026 season, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.
Henriquez appeared in line to compete for save chances heading into the 2026 campaign after putting together an impressive 2025 season. He posted a 2.22 ERA and 1.10 WHIP with a 98:27 K:BB and seven saves in 11 chances across 73.0 innings. However, he'll now shift his focus to rehabbing following a recent season-ending surgery. The Marlins expect him to be ready for next year's spring training, per an update from the team.
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Jared Shuster RP | CHW
Cardinals' Jared Shuster: Lands in St. Louis as NRI
The Cardinals signed Shuster to a minor-league contract Monday that includes an invitation to spring training, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.
A first-round pick in the 2020 First-Year Player Draft, Shuster was once a prospect of some note. However, the left-hander's performance thus far at the major-league level hasn't been encouraging, as he holds a 5.27 ERA and 98:64 K:BB over 141.2 innings covering parts of three seasons. Shuster is capable of starting and relieving, and it's unclear what role the Cardinals have in mind for him, but he has a chance to make the roster on a rebuilding squad.
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Ian Hamilton RP | ATL
Braves' Ian Hamilton: Signs with Atlanta
Hamilton signed a one-year, non-guaranteed contract with Atlanta on Friday.
Hamilton finished 2025 with a 4.28 ERA and 1.25 WHIP across 40 regular-season innings -- the worst numbers of his three-year tenure in the Bronx. The 30-year-old righty will now attempt to land a spot in Atlanta's bullpen, but even if he makes the big-league club, he won't be likely to receive many high-leverage opportunities with Raisel Iglesias, Robert Suarez, Dylan Lee and Joe Jimenez (knee) already on the roster.
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Brandon Waddell RP | NYM
Mets' Brandon Waddell: Outrighted to Triple-A
The Mets outrighted Waddell to Triple-A Syracuse on Friday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
New York designated Waddell for assignment earlier this week, and he'll remain in the organization after clearing waivers. Waddell posted a 3.45 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 22:11 K:BB across 31.1 major-league innings last season.
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Bryce Jarvis RP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Bryce Jarvis: Outrighted to Triple-A
Arizona outrighted Jarvis to Triple-A Reno on Friday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
Jarvis was booted from the 40-man roster and designated for assignment last Friday but cleared waivers and will remain with the Diamondbacks' organization. The 27-year-old right-hander appeared in 12 games at the big-league level with Arizona last season and carded a 5.73 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 21:10 K:BB across 22 innings.
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Kyle Backhus RP | PHI
Phillies' Kyle Backhus: Traded to Phillies
The Phillies acquired Backhus from the Diamondbacks on Friday in exchange for Avery Owusu-Asiedu, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
Backhus is a sidearming lefty reliever who held left-handed hitters to just a .139/.225/.278 slash line in 2025. Righty bats slashed .365/.417/.571 off the 27-year-old, so manager Rob Thomson will have to be judicious with his usage of Backhus.