MLB Player News

Suarez cleared waivers and chose to become a free agent Saturday.

Suarez could have accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk, but he has instead opted to hit the open market. The 37-year-old pitched in 28 games (all as a reliever) for Baltimore in 2026, posting a 3.86 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 46:20 K:BB over 63 innings while picking up three wins and one save. Those numbers may be good enough to attract attention from organizations in need of an experienced right-handed pitcher with the ability to cover multiple innings out of the bullpen or even to step in for an occasional spot start.

The Reds declined Johnson's $8 million mutual option for the 2027 season Saturday.

Johnson turned in one of the worst seasons of his career in 2026, finishing the year with a 4.62 ERA and 1.36 WHIP alongside a 42:19 K:BB over 48.2 innings. The Reds will decline to give the right-hander a $2.2 million raise as a result and instead pay him a $1 million buyout to move on. Johnson could still draw some interest in the open market, but he isn't likely to serve as more than a middle reliever in 2027.

Pagan declined his $10 million player option for the 2027 season Saturday, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.

After finishing the 2026 campaign with a 3.38 ERA and 1.03 WHIP across 42.2 innings, Pagan will opt out of another year with the Reds and presumably seek a multi-year deal in free agency. The 35-year-old righty has proven he can thrive in high-leverage situations while recording 57 saves across the past two seasons and will likely be a top target among teams searching for a closer.

Junis' mutual option for the 2027 season wasn't exercised Friday, making him a free agent, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

It's unclear whether Junis or the Rangers turned down his $5 million option for next season, but the 34-year-old righty will return to free agency either way after logging a 3.64 ERA and 1.27 WHIP over 54.1 innings in his lone season with Texas. He should have little trouble attracting interest from teams in need of bullpen help, though no potential landing spot would offer him regular save opportunities.

The Guardians declined Stephan's $7.25 million club option for 2027 on Friday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Stephan hasn't appeared in an MLB game since 2023 and ended the season at Triple-A with a 10.32 ERA over 22.2 innings, making it easy to see why the Guardians passed on his option. Now a free agent, the 30-year-old righty's next opportunity will likely come in the form of a minor-league deal.

The Guardians declined their side of Armstrong's $8 million mutual option for the 2027 season Friday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Armstrong appeared in 41 games for Cleveland this year, turning in a 4.58 ERA and 1.39 WHIP with a 34:19 K:BB across 35.1 innings. The Guardians didn't deem his performance worthy of bringing him back for $8 million, so they will instead pay him a $1.5 million buyout and let him enter the open market.

The Angels declined Stephenson's (elbow) $2.5 million club option for 2027 on Friday.

The Angels handed Stephenson a three-year, $33 million contract prior to the 2024 season, and he wound up making a total of just 12 appearances for them due to various arm injuries. Stephenson is currently working his way back from ligament and flexor repair surgery on his right elbow, and he will miss at least the first few months of next season.

The Marlins outrighted Brzykcy to Triple-A Jacksonville on Thursday.

Brzykcy has lost his spot as the Marlins do some 40-man roster maneuvering. He's been outrighted previously, so Brzykcy has the ability to decline the assignment and become a free agent. The 27-year-old reliever holds a career 9.38 ERA over 34 appearances at the big-league level.

The Marlins outrighted Zuber to Triple-A Jacksonville on Thursday.

Zuber underwent UCL surgery with an internal brace earlier this month and is not expected to pitch again until 2028. Since he's been outrighted before, Zuber can elect free agency.

The Royals declined Estevez's (shoulder) $13 million club option for 2027 on Thursday.

Estevez landed on the injured list in April due to a foot contusion and ended up missing the rest of the season after suffering a right rotator cuff strain during a rehab game in May. He underwent surgery on his shoulder in September, and although it's unknown how long he'll be sidelined, the Royals will opt to pay him a $2 million buyout to get him off their books rather than the $13 million he would've been owed. Now a free agent, Estevez could attract attention from MLB clubs once he's closer to being fully healthy.