The Athletics traded Watters, Joe Boyle, Will Simpson and a compensatory draft pick to the Rays on Saturday in exchange for Jeffrey Springs and Jacob Lopez, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Watters spent most of the 2024 campaign with the Athletics' High-A affiliate, departing briefly in June to appear in a Triple-A game before returning to Lansing. He finished the High-A season with a 4.96 ERA and 1.52 WHIP over 61.2 innings, making a promotion to Double-A upon joining the Rays organization unlikely.

Brewers general manager Matt Arnold said Friday that Cortes has had a "fully healthy offseason" after dealing with a flexor strain in his left elbow down the stretch of this past season, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Arnold noted that the Brewers did extensive work on Cortes' medicals before acquiring him in the trade that sent Devin Williams to the Yankees, and the team is confident the southpaw is healthy. Cortes held a 3.77 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 162:39 K:BB over a career-high 174.1 regular-season innings with the Yankees in 2024.

The Brewers acquired Cortes, Caleb Durbin and cash considerations from the Yankees on Friday in exchange for Devin Williams, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Cortes pitched well this past season when healthy, posting a 3.77 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 162:39 K:BB. He ended the regular season on the injured list with a flexor strain but was able to come back to make two relief appearances during the World Series. The Brewers are presumably comfortable with his health status and will be counting on him as part of their rotation in 2025. Cortes is arbitration-eligible for a final time this winter.

Contreras was designated for assignment by the Rangers on Thursday.

The Rangers claimed Contreras off waivers October 31, but he's now been removed from the 40-man roster before throwing a pitch. He could still compete for a roster spot in spring training if he passes through waivers unclaimed, though it looks unlikely that he'll play a significant role for the team to begin 2025.

Wright (shoulder) hopes to be fully healthy for spring training and compete for a spot in the Royals' rotation, Jaylon Thompson of the Kansas City Star reports.

Wright underwent surgery in October of 2023 to repair a torn capsule in his right shoulder. He's now more than a year removed from that operation, and in October he touched 90 mph during a bullpen session. That's a far cry from the 95.1 mph Wright averaged with his four-seamer during his breakout 2022 campaign when he won 21 games and posted a 3.19 ERA, but the hope is that his velocity will continue to tick up as he further distances himself from surgery. It's no guarantee his stuff will bounce back as he returns from a major shoulder procedure, but Wright will be one to keep a close eye on during spring training.

The Twins signed McCaughan to a minor-league contract Dec. 4.

McCaughan, 28, held a 6.21 ERA over 42 innings between the Marlins and Guardians in 2024. The right-hander has experience as a starter and a reliever, and it's unclear which role the Twins have planned for him, but he'll likely begin the 2025 season at Triple-A St. Paul.

The Red Sox traded Rodriguez-Cruz to the Yankees on Wednesday in exchange for Carlos Narvaez, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Over 20 games (19 starts) between Single-A and High-A in 2024, Rodriguez-Cruz turned in a 2.84 ERA and 1.19 WHIP alongside a 99:39 K:BB over 85.2 innings. The 21-year-old right-hander will likely remain in High-A with his new organization and have his sights set on a promotion to Double-A Somerset.

Bieber (elbow) said Wednesday that he has been throwing from 90 feet three times per week, Tom Withers of the Associated Press reports.

Bieber is encouraged by the progress he's made since undergoing Tommy John surgery in April, though he also said "there's a long way to go." The 29-year-old agreed to a one-year deal Friday to remain in Cleveland for 2025, and his rehab is expected to extend a few months into the regular season.

The Brewers selected Thomas with the 13th pick in the Rule 5 draft Wednesday, JJ Cooper of Baseball America reports.

Thomas, a 26-year-old lefty the Brewers are poaching from the Cardinals, had operated primarily as a starter until last season, in which 53 of his 56 appearances at Triple-A were out of the bullpen. He logged a 2.89 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 79:24 K:BB in 90.1 innings, so while he worked as a reliever, he is stretched out enough to move back to the rotation this year if the Brewers wanted to go that route at some point. More likely, Thomas will work as a low-leverage multi-inning reliever for Milwaukee or be returned to St. Louis at some point this season.

The Padres selected Nunez (shoulder) with the 12th pick of the Rule 5 draft Wednesday, JJ Cooper of Baseball America reports.

A shoulder injury caused Nunez to miss the final four months of the minor-league season as a member of the Orioles, so it's possible the Padres will be able to stash him on the injured list for a good chunk of the season. Nunez logged a 2.45 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 38:10 K:BB in 29.1 innings over seven appearances at High-A prior to the injury. If the Padres stash him all season, Nunez could be sent back to the minors to stretch back out as a starter in 2026.