MLB Player News

Veneziano cleared waivers and elected free agency Thursday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Veneziano appeared in 26 big-league games this season, spanning stints with Miami and St. Louis, and he logged a 4.68 ERA, a 1.56 WHIP and 25:11 K:BB across 25 innings. The 28-year-old will hit the open market after being designated for assignment by the Cardinals earlier this week.

The Yankees selected Castro's contract from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday.

Castro dominated minor-league hitters in 2025, turning in a 1.53 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 52:22 K:BB across 47 innings with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He'll be rewarded with a place on New York's 40-man roster as a result of his performance, and he'll have a chance to win a spot in the Yankees' bullpen during spring training.

The Cardinals outrighted Thompson (lat) to Triple-A Memphis on Thursday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Thompson missed the entire 2025 season with a left lat strain he suffered in March. He endured several setbacks during his recovery, and it's unclear whether he will be ready for spring training. Thompson is now off the 40-man roster but will remain in the organization.

The Rays activated Van Belle (elbow) from the 60-day injured list and designated him for assignment Thursday.

Van Belle suffered a UCL sprain in September, and it's unclear if the injury will be addressed via rest and rehab or surgery. Regardless, the 29-year-old will be placed on waivers. He appeared in four games with Tampa Bay in 2025, marking his first MLB action.

The Rays activated Lavender (elbow) from the 60-day injured list and designated him for assignment Thursday.

Lavender underwent surgery in late August or early September to remove a bone spur from his left elbow. It's possible he'll be available for the start of spring training. However, he'll be exposed to waivers after Thursday's move. Lavender, who turns 25 in January, has yet to make his MLB debut.

The Pirates designated Darnell (hip) for assignment Thursday.

Thursday marks the second time in six days that Darnell has been DFA'd, as he joined the Pirates via waiver claim from Colorado last Friday. The 28-year-old righty posted a 3.19 ERA and 1.15 WHIP across 53.2 Triple-A innings during 2025 despite playing in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, giving him a fair amount of appeal for bullpen-needy teams browsing the waiver wire.

Boushley cleared waivers and elected free agency Thursday.

Boushley was designated for assignment earlier this week, and he'll test his luck on the open market. The 32-year-old reliever didn't appear in a game with the Rays after being claimed off waivers from Texas on Sept. 9. However, Boushley posted a 6.02 ERA and a 1.57 WHIP in 43.1 innings for the Rangers in 2025.

The Pirates designated Darrell-Hicks for assignment Thursday, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Darrell-Hicks struggled to find his footing on the mound in 2025, posting a 7.45 ERA and 1.45 WHIP through 9.2 MLB innings, as well as an 8.45 ERA and 1.93 WHIP through 38.1 innings in Triple-A. He'll lose his place on Pittsburgh's 40-man roster as a consequence of his struggles, and he'll likely have to turn things around dramatically before the club considers adding him back.

The Reds claimed Munoz off waivers from the Cardinals on Thursday.

Munoz gave up 10 earned runs in 11 innings with the Cardinals in 2025 but finished the minor-league season with a 3.28 ERA and 1.33 WHIP through 57.2 frames at Memphis. The Reds, evidently intrigued by his Triple-A statline, will now bring the 25-year-old in to add depth to their pitching staff, but because he has no more options remaining, Munoz will need to make the Opening Day roster in order to stay on the 40-man roster.

The Mets claimed Castillo off waivers from the Orioles on Thursday.

Castillo had stints with Arizona, Baltimore, Seattle and the Mets in 2025. He'll return to New York after being exposed to waivers. Castillo posted a 3.94 ERA across 32 innings of relief in the big leagues this year.