MLB Player News

The Pirates outrighted Heller (shoulder) to Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Heller ended the season on the 60-day injured list with a shoulder issue. He's off the 60-day IL but will not return to the 40-man roster. It's not clear how healthy his shoulder is now.

The Astros outrighted Ortega (elbow) on Monday and he elected free agency, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Ortega signed a one-year contract with Houston in March, but he never pitched a single inning during the 2024 regular season. He underwent surgery in March to remove loose bodies in his right elbow, and he had a follow-up procedure in late June to remove a bone spur from the same elbow. If Ortega does catch on with another team, it's unclear whether he'll be available to pitch for the start of spring training.

The Phillies outrighted Tarnok to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Monday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Tarnok has been removed from the 40-man roster but will stick around in the organization for now. The righty was a waiver claim of the Phillies back in July.

The Phillies outrighted Ortiz (elbow) to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Monday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Ortiz had Tommy John surgery in July and will miss most, if not all, of the 2025 season. He'll remain in the organization to rehab the injury but is no longer on the 40-man roster.

The Phillies outrighted Marte (shoulder) to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Monday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Marte has been scrubbed from Philadelphia's 40-man roster but will remain in the organization. He finished the season on the injured list at Lehigh Valley with a shoulder problem and it's unclear what his current health situation is.

Sanchez elected free agency Monday, Isaac Azout of FishOnFirst.com reports.

The Marlins outrighted him to Triple-A Jacksonville, but Sanchez has declined that assignment and will hit the free-agent market. Sanchez returned to the majors in 2024 for the first time since years of shoulder trouble, but he posted a 6.06 ERA and ended the season back on the injured list with more shoulder issues. It's not clear what his current health status is.

The Diamondbacks claimed Martinez off waivers from the Astros on Monday.

Martinez, 30, held a 3.59 ERA and 36:18 K:BB across 52.2 frames for Houston in 2024. He will provide the Diamondbacks with some additional right-handed relief depth.

The Mets outrighted Gage to Triple-A Syracuse on Monday, Michael Mayer of MetsmerizedOnline.com reports.

Gage has accepted the assignment and will remain in the organization. The lefty spent all of 2024 at the Triple-A level, collecting a 4.10 ERA and 51:22 K:BB over 41.2 innings.

The Twins exercised Alcala's $1.5 million club option for 2025, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Alcala spent some time in the minors in 2024 but pitched well over 58.1 innings with the Twins, posting a 3.24 ERA and 58:20 K:BB over 58.1 frames. He'll be used in middle relief in 2025.

Karinchak elected free agency Monday.

Karinchak refused an outrighted assignment by the Guardians, opting for free agency instead. He was limited to just seven rehab appearances in 2024 due to a shoulder issue but was pitching in games at the end of the season. Karinchak boasts a 36.3 percent strikeout rate but also a 14.1 percent walk rate over parts of five major-league seasons.