MLB Player News

The Nationals designated Kent for assignment Thursday.

The transaction frees a spot on the 40-man roster for waiver claim Braxton Roxby. Kent has bounced around via waivers himself over the past year, allowing 13 runs (10 earned) over 16.1 innings during his time in the majors between the Twins and Nationals.

The Nationals claimed Roxby off waivers from the Giants on Thursday.

The 27-year-old Roxby reached the majors in 2026 for the first time, allowing two runs with a 3:2 K:BB across 5.1 frames. Roxby -- who logged a 3.78 ERA and 60:26 K:BB over 64.1 innings with Triple-A Sacramento -- will compete for a bullpen job with the Nationals, assuming he's still in the organization for spring training.

The Mariners exercised Munoz's $9 million club option for 2027 on Thursday.

Munoz had a disappointing 2026 season by his standards, posting a 4.24 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 89:24 K:BB over 57.1 innings. However, he's still a bargain at that price, and the Mariners will have another club option on Munoz for 2028. Munoz boasts a career 34.4 percent strikeout rate, and he'll be in line to serve as closer for Seattle again in 2027.

The Twins outrighted Banda (lat) to Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

The transaction frees a spo on the 40-man roster. Banda underwent left lat surgery in early July, but he expects to be ready for spring training. The southpaw has logged a 3.44 ERA and 144:67 K:BB over 149 regular-season innings covering the last three years.

The Athletics outrighted Hartlieb to Triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday.

The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster. Hartlieb got into 18 games for the Athletics this season, logging a 4.82 ERA and 22:14 K:BB over 28 frames. The 32-year-old has been outrighted before, so Hartlieb could choose to decline the assignment and become a free agent.

The Angels outrighted Peralta to Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday.

The transaction frees a spot on the Angels' 40-man roster. Since he's been outrighted previously, Peralta has the ability to decline the assignment and become a free agent. He holds a career 5.64 ERA and 60:33 K:BB over 68.2 innings covering parts of four big-league seasons.

Helsley (elbow) will exercise his $14 million player option for 2027, Andy Kostka of TheBanner.com reports.

Helsley was limited to only 15.1 innings in 2026 because of elbow trouble, making his decision to pick up his player option and remain in Baltimore a fairly easy one. The reliever pitched in a rehab game in September, so he should be healthy for spring training, barring any setbacks. Helsley figures to be in the mix to close games for the Orioles in 2027, though Felix Bautista and/or Rico Garcia are also options for the ninth inning.

Hoffman recently underwent arthroscopic surgery and a debridement procedure to remove a bone chip from his right elbow, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Hoffman landed on the 15-day injured list during the last weekend of the regular season with right forearm inflammation, and now he's had his elbow repair a month later. The Twins anticipate Hoffman beginning a throwing program in eight weeks and being ready for the start of the 2027 season. Hoffman logged a 3.55 ERA and 102:30 K:BB over 66 innings between the Blue Jays and Twins in 2026. Assuming health, Hoffman is likely to compete with Yoendrys Gomez for Minnesota's closer role next season.

Ashby secured the save in Game 2 of the World Series against the Rays on Saturday, allowing one hit and no walks while striking out three over 1.2 innings.

It's the third save of the playoffs for Ashby, who notched just four in 75 appearances during the regular season. After recording the final two outs of the eighth inning, the left-hander returned for the ninth and immediately put the tying run on base when Jonny DeLuca led off with a double. Ashby once again stayed composed and retired the next three batters to give Milwaukee a 2-0 series lead. The 28-year-old has arguably been the best pitcher -- starter or reliever -- in the playoffs thus far, as he's fired 15.2 scoreless innings while giving up just five hits with a 17:3 K:BB.

Megill earned the save in Game 1 of the World Series against Tampa Bay on Friday, giving up a run on two hits and a walk with one strikeout during the ninth inning.

The right-hander retired leadoff man Yandy Diaz on a groundout before loading the bases on two singles and a walk, and Megill seemingly escaped when Liam Hicks appeared to ground into a game-ending double play. However, the Rays successfully challenged the play at second to extend the game and cut the deficit to 3-2, but Megill responded with a strikeout to end the contest. It's the first run surrendered during the playoffs for Milwaukee's closer, who now has a 1.35 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 7:3 K:BB across 6.2 postseason innings.