MLB Player News
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Bryan Abreu RP | HOU
Astros' Bryan Abreu: Earns $5.85 million with Houston
Abreu signed a one-year, $5.85 million contract with the Astros on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Abreu was one of five relief pitchers in 2025 to record 100-plus strikeouts, doing so for a third consecutive season while boasting a 35.5 percent strikeout rate and 41.2 percent whiff rate. He finished the year with a 2.28 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 25 holds over 71 innings while recording a career-high seven saves, though that opportunity came only after Josh Hader (shoulder) landed on the IL in mid-August. With Hader on track to be fully healthy by Opening Day, Abreu should return to a setup role to begin 2026.
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Jason Adam RP | SD
Padres' Jason Adam: Avoids arbitration with San Diego
Adam (quadriceps) signed a one-year, $6.7 million contract with the Padres on Thursday to avoid arbitration.
Adam earned his first All-Star selection in 2025, and he finished the regular season with a 1.93 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 30 holds (tied for fifth most in the majors) and a 70:25 K:BB across 65.1 innings. His 2025 campaign came to an abrupt halt in September after rupturing a tendon in his left quadriceps. After undergoing surgery that carries a 6-to-9 month recovery timeline, the 34-year-old right-hander is expected to begin the 2026 season on the injured list. However, per Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune, Adam is expected to be ready to throw off a mound during spring training and may not need a lengthy stint on the IL.
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Tony Santillan RP | CIN
Reds' Tony Santillan: Avoids arbitration
Santillan agreed to a one-year, $1.8 million contract with the Reds on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
Santillan set a career high by pitching 73.2 innings during 2025 and did so while remaining as effective as ever, finishing the regular season with a 2.44 ERA and 1.11 WHIP to go with seven saves and 33 holds. Emilio Pagan isn't likely to let go of his grip on the closer role anytime soon, so Santillan will continue to work as Cincinnati's premier setup man in 2026.
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Anthony Banda RP | LAD
Dodgers' Anthony Banda: Settles at $1.625 million
Banda agreed to a one-year, $1.625 million contract with the Dodgers on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.
Banda will receive a $625,000 salary bump after finishing 2025 with a 3.18 ERA and 1.22 WHIP across 65 innings and notching a career-best 11 holds. Those numbers made him one of the more reliable members of Los Angeles' bullpen last year, but the sheer amount of talent on the Dodgers' pitching staff could force Banda back into a middle-relief role in '26.
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Thomas Hatch RP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Thomas Hatch: Invited to D-backs' camp
Hatch signed a minor-league contract with the Diamondbacks on Thursday that includes an invitation to spring training.
After spending the 2024 season in Japan, Hatch returned to MLB in 2025 but struggled to find success, finishing the year with a 5.82 ERA and 1.68 WHIP across 34 innings between the Royals and Twins. The 31-year-old will now aim to bounce back with the D-backs, but he'll likely have to prove himself at Triple-A Reno before getting a chance to join Arizona's pitching staff.
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Nick Mears RP | KC
Royals' Nick Mears: Nabs $1.9 million from Royals
Mears agreed to a one-year, $1.9 million contract with the Royals on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Mears was traded from Milwaukee to Kansas City in December following his best season in the majors, during which he logged a 3.49 ERA and 0.97 WHIP over 56.2 regular-season innings. The 29-year-old will now receive a $937,000 raise from his new club and is expected to begin the new year as a middle reliever for the Royals.
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John Schreiber RP | KC
Royals' John Schreiber: Reaches deal with KC
Schreiber agreed to a one-year, $3.715 million contract with the Royals on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Schreiber's $1.415 million raise comes after he posted a 3.80 ERA and 1.19 WHIP across 64 innings while collecting 23 holds in 2025. The Royals acquired Matt Strahm from Philadelphia in December, which figures to lessen the number of high-leverage opportunities available for Schreiber in 2026, but he should still collect his fair share of holds again this year. The 31-year-old righty is due to enter the open market next offseason.
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Tyler Holton RP | DET
Tigers' Tyler Holton: Avoids arbitration with Detroit
Holton and the Tigers agreed to a one-year, $1.575 million contract Thursday to avoid arbitration, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Holton was a solid presence for the Tigers' bullpen in 2025, making a career-high 70 appearances (six starts as an opener) during the regular season while posting a 3.66 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 18 holds and a 64:17 K:BB across 78.2 innings. The 29-year-old southpaw should continue to operate in high-leverage situations for Detroit in 2026.
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Jimmy Herget RP | COL
Rockies' Jimmy Herget: Settles with Rockies
The Rockies and Herget avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract Thursday.
The financial particulars of the deal aren't clear, but Herget will receive a salary bump after making $850,000 in 2025. The sidearmer held a 2.48 ERA and 81:26 K:BB over 83.1 innings for Colorado last season, and the team has discussed the possibility of stretching him out to be a starting pitcher this spring.
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Brennan Bernardino RP | COL
Rockies' Brennan Bernardino: Reaches deal with Colorado
The Rockies and Bernardino (lat) avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract Thursday.
The financials are unknown, but Bernardino will get a raise in his first year of arbitration eligibility as a Super 2 qualifier. The southpaw was acquired via trade from the Red Sox earlier in the offseason after posting a 3.14 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 43:26 K:BB over 51.2 regular-season innings during 2025. Bernardino's season ended prematurely due to a lat strain, but he should be recovered in time for the start of spring training.