MLB Player News

The Astros placed Garcia (elbow) on outright waivers Tuesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Garcia has already been ruled out for the entire 2026 campaign -- his final year of team control -- after undergoing surgery to repair the UCL and flexor tendon in his right elbow in October. Having pitched just 34.2 innings over the past three seasons, the injury-prone right-hander is unlikely to be claimed by another club.

Flaherty will remain with the Tigers after electing not to opt out of his $20 million contract for 2026, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Flaherty surely could have received more guaranteed money on the open market, but he has decided to stay put following an up-and-down 2025 campaign. The right-hander posted a 4.64 ERA across 31 regular-season starts for the Tigers, but he also fanned 188 batters over 161 innings. Staying put at Comerica Park and having what should be an above-average offense to support him help Flaherty's case for 2026.

Twins president of baseball operations Derek Falvey said Tuesday that Festa (shoulder) should resume throwing relatively soon, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

Festa was diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome in September, but it's considered a mild version and he was given Botox injections to alleviate a compressed nerve between his right shoulder and neck. A setback is possible, but for now Festa is expected to be ready for the start of spring training. If healthy, the young righty will compete for a spot in the Twins' rotation next season. Festa held a 5.40 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 53:19 K:BB over 53.1 innings in 2025 with the big club.

Twins president of baseball operations Derek Falvey said Tuesday that Lopez (forearm) is fully healthy and projected to have a normal offseason, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

Lopez's 2025 season ended in late September with a mild right forearm strain, and he also missed two months earlier in the year with a Grade 2 teres major strain. However, there are no current concerns with Lopez's pitching arm entering the offseason, and he will not face restrictions at the beginning of spring training. The 29-year-old pitched well in 2025 when healthy, posting a 2.74 ERA and 73:20 K:BB over 75.2 innings. Lopez is owed $43.5 million over the next two seasons, and with the Twins shedding payroll, he's a trade candidate this winter.

The Royals placed Wright on outright waivers Tuesday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Wright didn't pitch at all in 2024 and made only eight rehab starts in 2025 due to right shoulder surgery and more recently an oblique strain. He's considered healthy now, but Wright's velocity was down and he posted a 5.48 ERA in his 23 innings between Double-A Northwest Arkansas and Triple-A Omaha this season. The former 20-game winner turned 30 last month and might have to settle for a minor-league contract this offseason.

Dobbins (knee) has been cleared to start a full throwing program, the pitcher revealed on his X account Monday.

Dobbins blew out the ACL in his right knee in mid-July and had surgery, but he's expected to have a normal offseason and show up to spring training without restrictions. The right-hander posted a 4.13 ERA and 45:17 K:BB through 61 innings with the big club in 2025 and could compete for a spot in Boston's 2026 rotation.

Bubic (shoulder) has been cleared to begin a throwing program in November, MLB.com reports.

Bubic missed nearly all of the second half after being diagnosed with a left rotator cuff strain, but he avoided surgery and is ready to resume throwing. While the left-hander currently appears on track for a normal offseason, the nature of the injury points to Bubic being a risky health proposition. The 28-year-old was having a breakout season before getting hurt, putting up a 2.55 ERA and 116:39 K:BB over 116.1 innings covering 20 starts.

Bergert (elbow) was cleared in November to begin a throwing program, MLB.com reports.

Bergert missed the last couple weeks of the regular season with a right elbow strain, but he's fully recovered and will enter spring training without limitations, barring any setbacks. The 25-year-old posted a 3.66 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 73:35 K:BB across 76.1 innings in 2025 between the Padres and Royals and will have a chance to open the 2026 campaign in the major-league rotation.

Giolito (elbow) declined the player side of his $19 mutual option for 2026 on Monday, Alex Speier of the Boston Globe reports.

He'll be paid a $1.5 million buyout instead. It's possible the Red Sox will extend Giolito a one-year, $22.025 million qualifying offer, and if that happens, there's a non-zero chance the right-hander accepts it. After missing the 2024 season following internal brace surgery, Giolito had a nice bounce-back 2025 campaign, posting a 3.41 ERA and 121:56 K:BB over 145 frames. However, his season ended in late September with elbow soreness, and while he was cleared of structural damage, the injury could affect his earnings potential this offseason.

The Rays activated Faedo (shoulder) from the 60-day injured list and designated him for assignment Monday.

Faedo never made an appearance at the major-league level for the Rays in 2025, having dealt with shoulder issues before eventually having thoracic outlet syndrome surgery in August. He's eligible for salary arbitration but could be non-tendered if he passes through waivers unclaimed.