General manager Chris Getz said Wednesday that Taylor will likely work as a multi-inning reliever in 2026, Kyle Williams of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Taylor posted a 4.91 ERA and 1.42 WHIP across 36.2 innings with the White Sox in 2025, although just five of his 36 big-league appearances lasted longer than one inning. It's possible Taylor's new role may be the next step in a plan to introduce him to the rotation down the line, but for now, the 23-year-old holds minimal fantasy value since he's out of the rotation and unlikely to receive late-inning work.

Lavender (elbow) cleared outright waivers Wednesday and was returned to the Mets.

The Rays acquired Lavender via the Rule 5 Draft last winter, so now that he's been outrighted off the Rays' 40-man roster, he'll return to the Mets' farm system. The 25-year-old lefty missed all of last season while recovering from Tommy John surgery with an internal brace, and he underwent another procedure in August to remove a bone spur in his left elbow. His availability for the start of spring training remains unclear.

General manager Dana Brown said Wednesday that Hader (shoulder) has thrown off a mound three times, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Hader's season ended in mid-August after he suffered a left shoulder strain, but he appears to be progressing well in his rehab program. The Astros have yet to establish a return timeline for the lefty closer, however, so his availability for the start of spring training remains unknown.

The Tigers claimed Darnell (hip) off waivers from the Pirates on Wednesday.

Darnell spent most of the 2025 season at Triple-A Albuquerque in the Rockies organization, holding a 3.19 ERA and 63:19 K:BB over 53.2 innings. He had surgery in September to repair a torn labrum in his left hip, but the Tigers appear confident in his ability to make a full recovery.

The Tigers designated Lange for assignment Wednesday.

The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for waiver claim Dugan Darnell (hip). Lange recorded 26 saves for the Tigers in 2023 but was limited the last two seasons due to June 2024 right lat surgery. The 30-year-old has a career 27.2 percent strikeout rate but also a 13.5 percent walk rate. Lange is eligible for salary arbitration for the first time this offseason and should draw interest on waivers.

The Padres are considering moving Morgan into their rotation next season, Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic report.

Mason Miller and Adrian Morejon are the more high-profile names being mulled for a shift from the bullpen to the rotation, but Morgan is also under consideration. A former infielder and undrafted free agent who didn't begin pitching until 2022, Morgan posted a 2.66 ERA and 50:23 K:BB over 47.1 regular-season innings for the Padres in 2025. The 26-year-old had two opener assignments for the Padres, but the last time he made a traditional start came in 2022 at Hope International, an NAIA school.

The Mariners signed Dobnak to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training Tuesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Dobnak became a free agent last week after the Tigers declined his option for 2026, and he's now headed to the Pacific Northwest. The 30-year-old spent nearly all of 2025 at the Triple-A level, holding a 5.84 ERA over 18 starts and eight relief appearances. Dobnak will likely begin the 2026 season in the rotation at Triple-A Tacoma.

The Royals acquired Black from the Giants on Tuesday in exchange for Logan Martin.

Black had been designated for assignment by the Giants last week and will now join the Royals' 40-man roster. The 25-year-old spent most of this season at Triple-A Sacramento, where he held a 5.81 ERA and 1.48 WHIP alongside a 114:62 K:BB over 119.1 innings. Black has been used mostly as a starting pitcher to this point in his pro career, though it's not known whether the Royals intend to keep him in that role. The righty has minor-league options remaining.

Darrell-Hicks was outrighted to Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday.

Darrell-Hicks lost his spot on the 40-man roster Thursday. He'll remain in the organization after passing through waivers unclaimed.

The Orioles signed Paredes to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training Monday, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Paredes spent all of the 2025 season at Triple-A Gwinnett in the Atlanta organization, holding a 4.40 ERA and 72:30 K:BB over 57.1 frames. The 30-year-old has a career 3.00 ERA and 53:41 K:BB over 54 innings covering parts of four seasons at the big-league level. Paredes will compete for a spot in the Orioles' Opening Day bullpen but will likely begin the year at Triple-A Norfolk.