Leahy is expected to open the 2026 season in the Cardinals' rotation, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

The trade of Sonny Gray to the Red Sox further depleted St. Louis' rotation depth, and, barring a poor showing during spring training, it sounds like Leahy will win one of the five rotation slots. Leahy threw three innings in the Cardinals' final regular season game in 2025 in what was his first-ever start at the major-league level. He did work multiple frames out of the bullpen often this season, but Leahy has not been used as a starter regularly since 2022. If he is indeed in the rotation in 2026, some workload restrictions are likely to be in place,

The Samsung Lions of the Korea Baseball Organization re-signed Jurado to a one-year, $1.6 million contract Tuesday, Jee-ho Yoo of the Yonhap News Agency reports.

Jurado has spent each of the last three seasons overseas and has become one of the best pitchers in the KBO, having collected a 2.60 ERA and 142:36 K:BB over 197.1 innings for the Lions in 2025. The 29-year-old last saw action at the big-league level in 2020.

Hader (shoulder) stated Monday that he feels back at full strength after completing his rehab program a few weeks ago, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Hader's 2025 season came to an early end after he was diagnosed with a left shoulder strain, but he's feeling strong after finishing up his rehab. The lefty noted Monday that he thinks he'll be able to throw as he normally would leading up to spring training. "It should be normal," said Hader. "Obviously, intensity gets up and we'll see how that goes and how I'm recovering, bouncing back from that. But as of now, everything is status quo, back to normal."

Krook agreed to a minor-league contract with the Athletics on Saturday.

Krook elected free agency earlier in the month after being sent outright to Cleveland's Triple-A affiliate, and he's since decided to return to the A's. He made three appearances for the Athletics during the 2025 season, surrendering two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out three over 3.1 innings.

The Rockies signed Mushinski to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training Monday, Kevin Henry of The Denver Gazette reports.

Mushinski spent the entirety of the 2025 campaign at Triple-A Columbus in the Guardians organization, holding a 3.78 ERA and 66:33 K:BB over 50 innings. The lefty reliever has made 31 appearances at the big-league level, collecting a 5.45 ERA and 26:12 K:BB across 33 frames. Mushinski will compete for a spot in Colorado's Opening Day bullpen but will likely begin the year at Triple-A Albuquerque.

The Yankees signed Rodriguez (elbow) to a minor-league contract Monday.

Per Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors, it's a two-year deal for Rodriguez, who is aiming to return around midseason after having Tommy John surgery this past spring. The 28-year-old reliever holds an 8.17 ERA and 33:19 K:BB over 36.1 innings covering parts of three seasons at the big-league level.

Long signed with NPB's Chiba Lotte on Sunday.

Long is a 30-year-old right-handed reliever who has played with three teams over five big-league seasons. He was solid in his first year in Kansas City in 2024, posting a 3.16 ERA and 1.20 WHIP along with a 44:17 K:BB over 42.2 innings, but Long struggled to a 5.36 ERA, 1.74 WHIP and 33:22 across 40.1 frames last season. He wasn't likely to get more than a minor-league deal in MLB free agency and has instead opted to try to put things back together overseas.

Atlanta signed Payamps to a one-year, $2.25 million contract Sunday.

Payamps joined Atlanta as a waiver claim in late September and was outrighted to Triple-A on Nov. 6. That move was likely made by the team to avoid an arbitration hearing, as the $2.25 million agreed to by the sides Sunday is probably less than what the veteran reliever would have received in arbitration. Regardless, Payamps now seems ticketed for a role in Atlanta's bullpen in 2026. He's had plenty of major-league success but will be looking to rebound from a career-worst 2025 campaign during which he posted a 6.84 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 24:9 K:BB over 26.1 innings across 30 appearances between Atlanta and Milwaukee.

Laskey agreed to a minor-league contract with the Rockies on Sunday, Aram Leighton of JustBaseball.com reports.

Laskey spent 2025 in the Marlins organization and split his time between the Double-A and Triple-A levels. He received an invitation to big-league spring training but is likely to open 2026 in the minors based on his production last year and the fact that he's yet to make his MLB debut.

Maton signed a two-year contract with the Cubs on Friday, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Maton's new deal also includes a club option for 2028. The 32-year-old spent time with the Cardinals and Rangers in 2025, finishing the regular season with a 2.79 ERA and 1.06 WHIP along with an 81:23 K:BB across 61.1 innings. Now with the Cubs, he's sure to continue pitching in high-leverage situations and will presumably be in the mix for saves alongside Daniel Palencia.