MLB Player News

Nelson focused on getting physically stronger this offseason so that he can handle the rigors of 30 or more starts in 2026, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander has bounced between the rotation and bullpen the last three seasons but threw a career-high 154.0 innings in 2025. His first 10 appearances were out of the bullpen, before he shifted to the rotation in late May when Corbin Burnes required Tommy John surgery. With Burnes projected to be out until the second half of 2026, Nelson enters spring training with a guaranteed spot in the rotation, per general manager Mike Hazen. Nelson has relied heavily on his fastball but has also worked on his slider and curveball, and both pitches showed promise in 2025.

Iriarte cleared waivers and has been outrighted to Triple-A Charlotte while receiving a non-roster invite to spring training, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Iriarte was designated for assignment Sunday, and after going unclaimed on waivers, he'll remain within the White Sox organization. The 24-year-old right-hander spent most of the 2025 season at Triple-A Charlotte, posting a 7.24 ERA, 1.96 WHIP and 48:37 K:BB across 46 innings spanning 35 appearances.

Ashcraft will earn $1.75 million in 2026 after winning his arbitration hearing against the Reds, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

The three-person arbitration panel sided with Ashcraft rather than the Reds' $1.25 figure. Ashcraft had a solid 2025 campaign in his first year as a full-time reliever, posting a 3.99 ERA and 64:25 K:BB over 65.1 regular-season innings. He's slated for a middle-relief role again in 2026.

Olson (shoulder) may not be healthy in time for Opening Day, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Olson sustained a right shoulder strain in July and was placed on the 60-day injured list with hopes of returning for the postseason, but that never came to fruition. A report from the end of January indicated Olson would likely be ready in time for spring training, but the Tigers got an update on Olson's status this week that put his availability for Opening Day in doubt. Olson has started 35 games over the last two seasons with Detroit. If he's not healthy to begin the 2026 season, Troy Melton would be the favorite to claim a rotation spot, with Keider Montero, Drew Anderson and Sawyer Gipson-Long also in the mix.

Garrett (elbow) isn't expected to have any restrictions when spring training begins, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Garrett didn't pitch at all in 2025 while recovering from December 2024 elbow surgery that included an internal brace procedure. The 28-year-old southpaw had shown flashes of upside before that, including a shutout of the Diamondbacks in May 2024, and with the Marlins having traded Edward Cabrera and Ryan Weathers this offseason, the team is counting on Garrett to fill one of three openings in the rotation behind Sandy Alcantara and Eury Perez.

Meyer (hip) is expected to be a full-go for the start of spring training, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

The 26-year-old right-hander got off to a fast start last season, posting a 2.10 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 41:7 K:BB through 30 innings over his first five starts, but Meyer's numbers cratered after that due to a hip issue that eventually required surgery. With the Marlins having traded Edward Cabrera and Ryan Weathers this offseason, the team has three open rotation spots behind Sandy Alcantara and Eury Perez, and Meyer is being counted on to fill one of them. If he can stay healthy and rediscover that early 2025 form, he'll be headed for a breakout campaign.

The Diamondbacks acquired Aracena, Kade Strowd and Jose Mejia from the Orioles on Thursday in exchange for Blaze Alexander, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Aracena was dealt from the Mets to the Orioles last July in the Gregory Soto trade and is on the move once again. The 21-year-old is an intriguing get for Arizona, having collected a 2.25 ERA and 114:51 K:BB over 92 innings covering 14 starts and nine relief outings between the Single- and High-A levels in 2025.

France cleared waivers Thursday and was sent outright to Triple-A Sugar Land, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

France will still receive an invitation to spring training, but he will have to pitch his way back onto the Astros' 40-man roster after missing the vast majority of 2025 recovering from shoulder surgery.

The Yankees claimed Bido off waivers from the Angels on Thursday.

The Yankees mark the sixth organization that Bido has joined this offseason while bouncing around via waivers. He turned in a 5.87 ERA over 79.2 innings with the Athletics in 2025 and doesn't have any minor-league options left, so he will need to open the season on New York's Opening Day roster to keep his spot on the 40-man roster.

The Nationals claimed Waldichuk off waivers from the Rays on Thursday.

It's the fourth organization Waldichuk has been in this offseason. The left-hander struggled in 2025 in his first year back from Tommy John surgery, posting an 8.65 ERA and 2.06 WHIP across 51.0 innings at Triple-A Las Vegas. However, Waldichuk boasts a career 33.9 percent strikeout rate in the minors, so he could become useful rotation depth for the Nationals as he further distances himself from surgery.