MLB Player News
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Taylor Clarke RP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Taylor Clarke: Reunites with Diamondbacks
The Diamondbacks signed Clarke to a one-year contract Thursday.
It's a homecoming for Clarke, who was drafted by the Diamondbacks and initially broke into the majors with Arizona. The right-handed reliever spent the 2025 campaign with the Royals, collecting a 3.25 ERA and 44:9 K:BB across 55.1 frames. Clarke has eight career saves and the Diamondbacks have an unsettled bullpen, but it would still be a surprise if he sees many, if any, save opportunities in the desert.
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Bradley Blalock RP | MIA
Rockies' Bradley Blalock: Designated for assignment
The Rockies designated Blalock for assignment Thursday, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.
The club needed to free up a spot on its 40-man roster for the addition of Michael Lorenzen, whose signing was officially announced Thursday. Blalock has been dreadful in the big leagues to this point, posting an 8.16 ERA and 47:43 K:BB over 89.1 innings in parts of two seasons. Perhaps another team believes it can coax more out of him outside Colorado, but it's likely he will clear waivers.
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Omar Cruz RP | SD
Padres' Omar Cruz: Back with Padres as NRI
The Padres re-signed Cruz to a minor-league contract Dec. 18 that includes an invitation to spring training, Alejandra M. Razo of MSN.com reports.
Cruz was non-tendered by the Padres in November but has re-upped on a minor-league pact. The lefty permitted two runs over 3.2 innings during his brief stint with the Padres in 2025 and is likely ticketed for Triple-A El Paso to begin the 2026 campaign.
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Brandon Leibrandt RP | NYY
Reds' Brandon Leibrandt: Lands with Reds on MiLB pact
The Reds signed Leibrandt to a minor-league contract Dec. 27.
Leibrandt got into two games with the Reds in 2024 before splitting the 2025 season between Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in the Yankees organization and the CTBC Brothers Baseball Club of the Chinese Professional Baseball League. The southpaw is likely ticketed for the Triple-A Louisville rotation to begin the 2026 season.
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Shawn Dubin RP | BAL
Diamondbacks' Shawn Dubin: Gets MiLB deal from Arizona
The Diamondbacks signed Dubin (elbow) to a minor-league contract Dec. 19.
Dubin made 30 appearances between the Astros and Orioles in 2025, collecting a 5.08 ERA and 28:11 K:BB over 33.2 frames. The 30-year-old finished the year on the injured list with right elbow discomfort, and it's unclear whether he will have any restrictions at the beginning of spring training.
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Jonathan Loaisiga RP | NYY
Diamondbacks' Jonathan Loaisiga: Signs NRI deal with Diamondbacks
The Diamondbacks signed Loaisiga (elbow) to a minor-league contract Tuesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Jorge Castillo of ESPN.com reports.
Loaisiga dealt with injuries again in 2025, posting a 4.25 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 25:10 K:BB across 29.2 innings for the Yankees before his season ended prematurely due to a flexor strain. The expectation is that the righty will be ready for spring training, and Loasiga has flashed enough upside when on the bump that he'll have a good shot to win a roster spot if he can avoid another injury.
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Corbin Martin RP | BAL
Cubs' Corbin Martin: Goes to Cubs on MiLB deal
The Cubs signed Martin to a minor-league contract Monday that includes an invitation to spring training, Lance Brozdowski of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Martin made 17 appearances out of the Orioles' bullpen this past season, finishing with a 6.00 ERA but a more promising 23:9 K:BB over 18 innings. The 30-year-old has been a full-time reliever each of the last two seasons after missing the 2023 campaign following lat surgery. Martin will try to win a spot in the Cubs' bullpen but is likely ticketed for Triple-A Iowa to kick off the 2026 season.
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Jesus Tinoco RP | MIA
Marlins' Jesus Tinoco: Back with Marlins on minors deal
The Marlins re-signed Tinoco (elbow) to a minor-league contract Jan. 5.
Tinoco is recovering from UCL surgery and will miss the entire 2026 season, so it's likely a two-year minor-league deal. The right-handed reliever made 20 appearances for Miami in 2025, posting a 5.12 ERA and 10:8 K:BB over 19.1 innings while notching four saves.
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Noah Davis SP | PIT
Pirates' Noah Davis: Nets minors deal with Pirates
The Pirates signed Davis to a minor-league contract Jan. 5.
Davis owns a career 9.53 ERA and 58:29 K:BB over 62.1 innings covering parts of four seasons at the big-league level. The 28-year-old has plenty of past experience as a starting pitcher, but he was used almost exclusively as a reliever in 2025, and he'll likely open 2026 in the bullpen at Triple-A Indianapolis.
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Pierce Johnson RP | CIN
Reds' Pierce Johnson: Lands with Cincinnati
Johnson agreed to a contract with the Reds on Sunday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
The terms of the deal aren't clear, but Johnson is likely to receive less than the $7 million club option that was declined by Atlanta in November. Johnson recorded one save and 16 holds with a 3.05 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 59:19 K:BB across 65 innings for Atlanta last year.