MLB Player News
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Cody Bradford RP | TEX
Rangers' Cody Bradford: Rehab assignment by Opening Day
Bradford (elbow) could begin a rehab assignment around Opening Day, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com. Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young indicated that May is the target for the left-hander's return.
Bradford, who recently threw a bullpen session, missed all of 2025 after sustaining an elbow injury during spring training that required an internal brace procedure in June. He showed promise in 2024, posting a 3.54 ERA over 76.1 innings, but missed months due to back and rib injuries. Texas bolstered its rotation during the offseason with the acquisition of MacKenzie Gore from the Nationals and may not have a spot in the rotation for Bradford upon his return. Beyond the top three of Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi (groin) and Gore, other candidates for the back end of the rotation include Jack Leiter, Kumar Rocker, Jacob Latz, Austin Gomber and Cal Quantrill .
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Elijah Morgan RP | KC
Royals' Eli Morgan: Gets look from KC
Morgan signed a minor-league contract, which includes an invitation to spring training, with the Royals on Thursday.
Morgan had a few strong seasons in Cleveland, but struggled with both injuries and his performance as a member of the Cubs in 2025. If he regains his past form, he could have a path to a spot in the Royals' bullpen to begin the new campaign.
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Ryder Ryan RP | LAD
Dodgers' Ryder Ryan: Latches on with Dodgers
Ryan signed a minor-league contract with the Dodgers on Thursday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Ryan spent the entirety of 2025 with the Pirates' Triple-A affiliate, turning in a 4.79 ERA and 1.35 WHIP to go with a 61:38 K:BB through 71.1 innings. He's likely destined to spend most of 2026 in the minors, as well.
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Jacob Waguespack RP | MIL
Brewers' Jacob Waguespack: Goes to Brewers as NRI
The Brewers signed Waguespack to a minor-league contract Thursday that includes an invitation to spring training, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
Waguespack spent all of the 2025 regular season at the Triple-A level between the Rays and Phillies organizations, holding a 2.45 ERA and 31:11 K:BB over 33 innings covering 25 relief outings. The 32-year-old has rotation and bullpen experience and it's unclear what role the Brewers have planned for him.
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Richard Lovelady RP | NYM
Nationals' Richard Lovelady: Claimed by Nationals
The Nationals claimed Lovelady off waivers from the Mets on Thursday.
Lovelady struggled to find his footing in the majors in 2025, finishing the year with an 8.49 ERA and 1.54 WHIP through 11.2 innings. Triple-A was a different story, however, as he logged a 1.66 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in 38 frames. He'll compete for a spot in Washington's Opening Day bullpen during spring training.
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Jayvien Sandridge RP | LAA
Angels' Jayvien Sandridge: Shipped to Anaheim
The Yankees traded Sandridge to the Angels on Thursday in exchange for cash.
Sandridge was DFA'd by the Yankees on Tuesday, but his move to the Angels will allow him to reclaim a 40-man roster spot. The 26-year-old was uninspiring during his MLB debut in July, giving up two earned runs in just two-thirds of an inning. He finished with a 4.55 ERA and 1.47 WHIP through 31.2 frames at Triple-A, however, and he could be used more frequently in the big leagues by an Angels squad that doesn't boast much bullpen depth. Osvaldo Bido was DFA'd in a corresponding move.
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Darren McCaughan RP | CIN
Reds' Darren McCaughan: Nabs NRI deal from Reds
McCaughan signed a minor-league contract with the Reds on Wednesday, which includes an invitation to major-league spring training, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.
McCaughan allowed just one run in 5.1 innings during his three appearances with the Twins last season. He didn't have nearly the same level of success in the minors, however, turning in a 5.10 ERA and 1.49 WHIP across 97 frames with Triple-A St. Paul. Barring a significant turnaround, the 29-year-old righty will likely remain at Triple-A for the vast majority of 2026.
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Konnor Pilkington RP | DET
Nationals' Konnor Pilkington: Loses 40-man roster spot
The Nationals designated Pilkington for assignment Wednesday.
The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for waiver claim Tsung-Che Cheng. Pilkington appeared in 34 games for the Nationals last season, posting a 4.45 ERA and 34:17 K:BB over 28.1 innings. The 28-year-old lefty stands a good chance of passing through waivers unclaimed, but if that happens he would have the ability to elect free agency.
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Jhonathan Diaz RP | SEA
Mariners' Jhonathan Diaz: Outrighted to Triple-A
The Mariners outrighted Diaz to Triple-A Tacoma on Wednesday.
Diaz was removed from the Mariners' 40-man roster last week but will remain in the organization after passing through waivers unclaimed. The left-hander has collected a 4.66 ERA and 33:27 K:BB over 46.1 frames covering parts of five seasons at the major-league level.
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Kaleb Ort RP | LAA
Angels' Kaleb Ort: Claimed by Angels
The Angels claimed Ort (elbow) off waivers from the Yankees on Wednesday.
After posting a 2.55 ERA and 26:4 K:BB over 24.2 regular-season innings in 2024, Ort regressed to a 4.89 ERA and 49:27 K:BB over 46 innings with the Astros in 2025. He also missed the final month of this past season with elbow inflammation, and it's unclear whether he'll be full-go for the start of spring training. Ort is out of minor-league options.