MLB Player News
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Kenley Jansen RP | DET
Tigers' Kenley Jansen: POBO won't commit to closer
Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris stopped short of naming Jansen the team's closer Wednesday, saying that there are "at least three or four closer types" on the roster, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Jansen is 24 saves shy of 500 for his career and has been adamant about reaching that milestone, but it seems he was not promised the closer role in Detroit when he agreed to a one-year, $11 million contract. Harris said that who closes for the Tigers will be up to manager A.J. Hinch. While Jansen remains the favorite to see the bulk of the save opportunities, Kyle Finnegan, Will Vest and Tyler Holton could be in the mix, as well.
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Brandon Waddell RP | NYM
Mets' Brandon Waddell: Booted off 40-man roster
The Mets designated Waddell for assignment Wednesday.
The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Drew Romo, who was claimed off waivers. Waddell had re-signed with the Mets last month after proving useful in a swingman role in 2025, holding a 3.45 ERA and 22:11 K:BB over 31.1 innings. If he clears waivers, Waddell would have the ability to elect free agency.
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Joel Kuhnel RP | ATH
Athletics' Joel Kuhnel: Nabs MiLB deal from Athletics
The Athletics signed Kuhnel to a minor-league contract Tuesday.
Kuhnel spent all of the 2025 season at the Triple-A level in the Phillies and Yankees organizations. The big right-hander holds a career 5.86 ERA and 76:24 K:BB over 93.2 frames covering parts of five big-league seasons. Kuhnel will likely begin the 2026 campaign at Triple-A Las Vegas.
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Sean Guenther RP | DET
Tigers' Sean Guenther: Re-signs with Detroit
The Tigers re-signed Guenther (hip) to a minor-league contract Tuesday.
Guenther was non-tendered by the Tigers in November but will return to the organization on a minor-league deal. The left-hander underwent a left hip arthroscopy in July and it's not clear whether he will be fully cleared to participate in spring training.
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Jordan Romano RP | LAA
Angels' Jordan Romano: Angels do not have set closer
Angels general manager Perry Minasian said Wednesday after the signings of Romano and Drew Pomeranz that the team does not have a set closer, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
Romano and Pomeranz have been added to a late-inning mix that includes Ben Joyce (shoulder), Robert Stephenson (elbow) and Ryan Zeferjahn. The 32-year-old Romano has easily the most closer experience of the group, but he's coming off an up-and-down 2025 season with the Phillies that saw him finish with an 8.23 ERA. Minasian also noted that he wants to continue to supplement the bullpen and could acquire a closer from outside the organization.
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Gerson Garabito SP | MIL
Brewers' Gerson Garabito: Inks NRI deal with Brewers
Garabito signed a minor-league contract with the Brewers on Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
Garabito finished the 2025 season with the Samsung Lions of the Korea Baseball Organization, holding a 2.64 ERA and 84:37 K:BB over 78.1 innings covering 15 starts. The 30-year-old has made 21 appearances (two starts) at the big-league level, producing a 5.77 ERA. Garabito is likely to begin the 2026 season in the rotation at Triple-A Nashville.
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Luke Weaver SP | NYM
Mets' Luke Weaver: Nabs $22 million deal from Mets
The Mets signed Weaver to a two-year, $22 million contract Wednesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Weaver becomes the second former Yankees reliever to sign with the Mets this offseason, joining closer Devin Williams. The 32-year-old Weaver struggled at times during the second half in 2025, but he finished his tenure in pinstripes with a 3.22 ERA and 191:49 K:BB across 162 regular-season innings. Weaver will help set up for Williams with the Mets.
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Drew Pomeranz RP | LAA
Angels' Drew Pomeranz: Finds work in Anaheim
Pomeranz signed a one-year, $4 million contract with the Angels on Tuesday, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Pomeranz was dominant during his time with the Cubs this past season -- his first MLB campaign since 2021 -- finishing the year with a 2.17 ERA and 1.07 WHIP alongside a 57:15 K:BB over 49.2 regular-season frames. By joining the Angels, the 37-year-old southpaw instantly becomes one of the most reliable arms in a bullpen that finished 2025 with an AL-worst 4.86 ERA, and he figures to receive a fair share of save opportunities alongside Ben Joyce (shoulder) and Robert Stephenson (elbow).
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Jordan Romano RP | LAA
Angels' Jordan Romano: Lands with Halos
Romano (finger) signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Angels on Tuesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Once viewed as a dominant closer, Romano has struggled mightily over the past two seasons, posting a 7.83 ERA and 1.46 WHIP across 56.1 regular-season innings between the Blue Jays and Phillies. The Angels will now take a chance on the 32-year-old righty with hopes that he can return to his previous form, but he'll likely be limited to middle-relief work until he can display some consistency on the mound.
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Chris Martin RP | TEX
Rangers' Chris Martin: Back with Rangers
Martin (undisclosed) signed a one-year contract with the Rangers on Tuesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Martin was a key part of the Rangers' bullpen this past season, as he finished the year with a 2.98 ERA and 1.20 WHIP over 42.1 innings while adding two saves and 13 holds. Now committed to another year in Arlington, the 39-year-old righty will likely continue to work in a setup role ahead of closer Robert Garcia.