MLB Player News
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Phil Bickford RP | CHC
Tigers' Phil Bickford: Gets minors deal from Tigers
Bickford signed a minor-league contract with the Tigers on Tuesday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.
Bickford spent time with the Cubs' and Phillies' Triple-A affiliates in 2025, posting a 3.38 ERA and 0.98 WHIP to go with a 54:17 K:BB across 48 total innings. The 30-year-old righty will likely spend the majority of 2026 at Triple-A Toledo but could return to the big leagues if he continues to find success in the minors.
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Josh Sborz RP | TEX
Rangers' Josh Sborz: Back with Rangers as NRI
The Rangers re-signed Sborz (shoulder) to a minor-league contract Tuesday that includes an invitation to spring training.
After being non-tendered by the Rangers in November, Sborz is now back in the fold on a minor-league deal. The 32-year-old missed much of the 2025 season while recuperating from shoulder surgery and was eventually shut down in September due to poor velocity and results during his rehab assignment. It's unclear whether Sborz will have any restrictions at the beginning of spring training.
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Sean Reid-Foley RP | NYM
Braves' Sean Reid-Foley: Latches on with Atlanta
Atlanta signed Reid-Foley to a minor-league contract Jan. 14.
Reid-Foley spent all of the 2025 season at the Triple-A level split between the Mets and Diamondbacks organizations, posting a 7.07 ERA and 39:33 K:BB over 28 innings. The 30-year-old has appeared in parts of seven big-league seasons, holding a 4.10 ERA across 71 appearances (13 starts).
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Bradley Blalock RP | MIA
Marlins' Bradley Blalock: Dealt to Miami
The Marlins acquired Blalock from the Rockies on Tuesday in exchange for Jake Brooks, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Blalock had been designated for assignment last week and is now headed to a new organization. The right-hander holds an abysmal 8.16 ERA and 47:43 K:BB over 89.1 innings in parts of two seasons at the major-league level, but the Marlins appear optimistic they can get more out of Blalock. The 25-year-old will give Miami some rotation depth following its trades of Edward Cabrera and Ryan Weathers.
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Zach Penrod RP | LAD
Nationals' Zach Penrod: Inks minors deal with Washington
Penrod agreed to a minor-league contract with the Nationals on Monday, which includes an invitation to spring training, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.
Penrod began the 2025 campaign in the Red Sox organization before being traded to the Dodgers in June. He ended the season with Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he posted an 8.65 ERA and 2.42 WHIP with a 23:30 K:BB across 26.0 innings.
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Trent Thornton RP | SEA
Cubs' Trent Thornton: Inks deal with Cubs
The Cubs signed Thornton (Achilles) to a contract Monday, Tread Athletics reports.
It's not clear whether it's a major- or minor-league contract, but Thornton has landed a deal after throwing for teams in a "Pro Day" at Tread Athletics training facility. Thornton had surgery in August to repair a torn left Achilles tendon but has a chance to be ready in time for Opening Day. The right-handed reliever posted a 4.68 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 32:14 K:BB over 42.1 innings for the Mariners in 2025 before getting hurt.
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Jake Junis RP | TEX
Rangers' Jakob Junis: Headed to Texas
Junis and the Rangers agreed on a one-year, $4 million contract Sunday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.
Junis will head to Texas after posting a solid 2.97 ERA and 1.23 WHIP with 55 strikeouts over 66.2 innings in 57 regular-season appearances out of the bullpen with the Guardians in 2025. The Rangers will be the right-hander's fifth team in the last four seasons, and he'll provide his new squad with another experienced option in the bullpen ahead of the 2026 campaign.
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Brock Burke RP | CIN
Reds' Brock Burke: Bolsters Reds' bullpen
Burke was traded from the Angels to the Reds in a three-team deal Thursday that also included the Rays, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports. The full trade has Gavin Lux and Chris Clark are going to Tampa Bay while Josh Lowe heads to Anaheim.
The Reds swapped Lux for Burke in this trade, which is the club's latest in a series of moves to bolster its bullpen. Burke had a solid 3.36 ERA and 1.23 WHIP across 61.2 innings in 2025, and he has served in a high-leverage role for most of the last four seasons, recording 37 holds but no saves.
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Miguel Castro RP | CHW
Angels' Miguel Castro: Lands MiLB deal with Angels
Castro (knee) signed a minor-league contract with the Angels on Thursday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
Castro made six appearances with the White Sox last year, and he allowed five runs on five hits and five walks while striking out four batters over six innings before suffering a season-ending knee injury in late May. It's unclear where he currently stands in his recovery, but once healthy, the 31-year-old reliever will provide organizational depth at Triple-A Salt Lake and could make a handful of appearances for the Halos over the course of the season.
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Gus Varland RP | WAS
Diamondbacks' Gus Varland: Booted off 40-man roster
The Diamondbacks designated Varland (undisclosed) for assignment Thursday.
The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Taylor Clarke. Varland has not made an appearance for Arizona, as he was a waiver claim in August and didn't pitch during the final three month of the season due to an undisclosed injury.