McLain agreed to a one-year, $2.3 million contract with the Reds on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

McLain missed the entire 2024 season while recovering from shoulder and rib injuries, but he was healthy for the start of last season. He started strong with three home runs and five RBI through the first four games, though that momentum was halted when he landed on the IL briefly due to a hamstring strain. That turned out to be his only stint on the IL in 2025, and he finished the regular season with a .643 OPS, 15 home runs, 50 RBI, 18 stolen bases and 73 runs over 577 plate appearances while appearing in 147 games. With a full season under his belt, McLain is expected to enter the 2026 campaign as the Reds' everyday second baseman.

The Nationals and Abrams avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $4.2 million contract Thursday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

It's a well-earned raise for Abrams, who was in his first year of arbitration eligibility. Abrams put together a .257/.315/.433 batting line with 19 home runs and 31 stolen bases for the Nationals this past season.

The Reds and Lux avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $5.525 million contract Thursday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Lux had been eligible for salary arbitration for the final time, as he's slated to reach free agency next winter. The 28-year-old hit .269/.350/.374 with five home runs over 140 regular-season games in his first season with the Reds. The left-handed-hitting Lux should play regularly against right-handed pitching in 2026, though he's unlikely to be locked into one position defensively.

The Pirates and Cruz avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.3 million contract Thursday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

It's a nice raise for Cruz, who had been eligible for salary arbitration for the first time. The 27-year-old is coming off a disappointing showing in 2025, having slashed just .200/.298/.378, but he did provide fantasy managers with 20 home runs and 38 stolen bases.

The Marlins acquired Hernandez, Owen Caissie and Edgardo De Leon from the Cubs on Wednesday in exchange for Edward Cabrera, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Hernandez spent the 2025 season at High-A South Bend, slashing .252/.329/.365 with seven home runs and 52 stolen bases. He hasn't reached his potential after being a top international signing in 2021, but Hernandez just turned 22 last month, so he has some time to show progress.

The Pirates designated Cheng for assignment Friday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

The Pirates needed to clear some roster space after bringing in three players via a three-team trade with Houston and Tampa Bay on Friday, and Cheng will end up as one of the casualties. The 24-year-old infielder made his MLB debut near the beginning of last season, going 0-for-7 with three strikeouts before being sent back to the minors. He didn't fare well at the plate in Triple-A either, slashing .209/.310/.271 with 36 RBI, 37 runs scored and 18 steals across 398 plate appearances at Indianapolis.

Kim signed a one-year, $20 million contract with Atlanta on Monday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Kim finished out the 2025 campaign with Atlanta after being claimed off waivers, and he did enough to earn himself another look with the club in 2026. He slashed .253/.316/.368 with three home runs, 12 RBI and 14 runs scored in 24 games down the stretch of the 2025 season after being dumped by the Rays. Kim figures to see the bulk of his playing time at shortstop heading into the upcoming season, though he can also manage at the keystone if necessary. Mauricio Dubon is expected to be deployed as a true utility man following the addition of Kim.

The Pirates claimed Luciano off waivers from the Giants on Friday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Luciano was one of the top prospects in baseball a few years ago, but he has not progressed as hoped, slashing just .217/.286/.304 over 41 games in the majors and .227/.351/.401 at the Triple-A level. He's still just 24, though, so the Pirates felt he was worth a roll of the dice. Luciano -- who does not have minor-league options remaining -- has primarily been a shortstop but shifted to left field at Triple-A Sacramento in 2025. It's unclear at this point what position the Pirates have planned for him.

Schmitt underwent surgery on his left wrist Tuesday and was given a rehab timeline of 8-to-10 weeks, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The 26-year-old could be limited for the start of spring training in February but should have plenty of time to get back to full health before Opening Day. Schmitt played in 95 games for the Giants last season and clubbed 12 home runs with a .237/.305/.401 slash line in 348 plate appearances. He should be in the mix to start at second base to begin 2026 but is likely better suited for more of a utility role.

Brujan (hip) signed a one-year split contract with Atlanta on Thursday.

The split contract is a minor-league deal that will allow Brujan to get a higher salary whenever he's on the major-league roster. The utility man had been a non-tender candidate prior to agreeing to the contract Thursday. Brujan ended the 2025 campaign dealing with a hip injury, but it isn't expected to linger into spring training.