Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias said over the weekend that Mayo could play some third base and/or be tried at the corner outfield positions in 2026, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Mayo came up through the minors primarily as a third baseman, but he didn't play an inning there from June on this past season. The 24-year-old has never played the outfield in pro ball. Mayo's long-term defensive home is almost surely first base, but the Orioles are overcrowded there with Pete Alonso, Samuel Basallo and Ryan Mountcastle also around. The best thing for Mayo's fantasy prospects in 2026 would be a trade to a team where he can play regularly, but for now the Orioles are keeping their options open with where he might fit onto the major-league roster.

Eflin (back) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Jan. 6, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

It will be his first time throwing off a mound since he underwent a lumbar microdiscectomy surgery in August. Eflin -- who re-signed with the Orioles on Sunday -- has dealt with back issues off-and-on throughout his career and said he felt immediate relief after the operation. His goal is to be ready for Opening Day, but more will be known about his timetable once he's ramped up his throwing. Eflin posted a 5.93 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 50:13 K:BB across 71.1 innings for Baltimore during an injury-shortened 2025 season.

The Blue Jays signed Alcala to a minor-league contract Dec. 18 that includes an invitation to spring training, Ari Alexander of 7 News Boston reports.

Alcala held a 6.22 ERA, 1.75 WHIP and 61:30 K:BB across 55 innings in 2025 between the Twins, Red Sox and Cardinals and was non-tendered by St. Louis in November. The hard-throwing reliever will compete for a spot in the Blue Jays' bullpen but is likely to begin the 2026 campaign at Triple-A Buffalo.

Robertson was designated for assignment by the Orioles on Sunday, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

Robertson was claimed off waivers by Baltimore after being cut by the Pirates in early December, but he may now be looking for a new home. The move comes on the heels of the Orioles re-signing right-handed pitcher Zach Eflin (back) to a one-year deal Sunday. Robertson appeared in 27 games with the White Sox and Blue Jays in 2025, batting .129 with a double, nine RBI and two runs scored over 70 at-bats.

Matthews is still viewed as a second baseman long term, but he'll also play in the outfield in 2026, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

"He's going to get some run in the outfield, but second base is still going to be his main position," general manager Dana Brown said. "We project he'll turn the corner with the bat and get maybe some run in the outfield a little bit, as well." Matthews is situated as a backup option at shortstop and second base, and he would need an injury to Jeremy Pena or Jose Altuve to see significant work in the middle infield in 2026. The Astros probably aren't done making moves this offseason either and could add more outfield options, but Brown and manager Joe Espada were complimentary about Matthews' potential in the short term and long term. Matthews is a great athlete with plus speed and above-average raw power. He slashed .260/.371/.458 with 17 home runs, 41 steals and a 27.9 percent strikeout rate in 112 games in the Pacific Coast League. A .167 BABIP and 42.6 percent strikeout rate led to a .167 batting average and .222 on-base percentage in the majors, but he showed off his tools with four home runs and one steal in 13 games.

Tiedemann (elbow) is expected to be fully healthy in time for camp, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Tiedemann missed the entire 2025 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in July of 2024, and he has totaled just 140 innings in the minors since being drafted by Toronto in 2021. Despite that, it was still an easy call for the Blue Jays to add Tiedemann to the 40-man roster in November for Rule 5 protection. While the hard-throwing lefty has flashed high upside and is close to full health, Tiedemann is highly unlikely to handle a big workload in 2026 given all the missed time. "Hopefully he's a factor for us in our rotation," GM Ross Atkins said. "That's the plan, but we would be open to him impacting the team in a bulk role or some creative way, depending on how things are going."

The Athletics signed Soderstrom to a seven-year, $86 million contract extension Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports. The deal includes a club option for 2033.

The deal buys out at least three free-agent years and can max out at $131 million if Soderstrom reaches all of the escalators in the contract. Soderstrom broke out in 2025 in his first full major-league season, slashing .276/.346/.474 with 25 home runs and 93 RBI. He also learned to play left field on the fly and took to it surprisingly well, finishing as a Gold Glove finalist. Soderstrom will be only 31 in the final year of the contract if the Athletics pick up his option, so it's a deal that is likely to be very team-friendly if he continues his upward trajectory.

The White Sox designated Rolison for assignment Tuesday.

The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for Sean Newcomb, who was signed Tuesday. Rolison was a waiver claim of the White Sox earlier this month and will now be up for grabs on waivers again. He held a 7.02 ERA and 25:20 K:BB over 42.1 innings with the Rockies in 2025.

The White Sox signed Newcomb (elbow) to a one-year, $4.5 million contract Tuesday.

Newcomb was terrific as a full-time reliever after being traded to the Athletics last season, collecting a 1.75 ERA and 50:14 K:BB over 51.1 innings. The left-hander will get an opportunity to start in Chicago, per Will Sammon of The Athletic, though he could eventually shift back to a relief role. Newcomb's 2025 campaign ended prematurely due to left elbow inflammation, but he should be ready to go for spring training.

Young is expected to see the majority of playing time at second base for the Mariners in 2026 even if the team acquires a second baseman from outside the organization, Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic report.

The Mariners remain very high on Young even after he had just a .607 OPS in 257 plate appearances during his rookie season. Young is just 22, but the Mariners appear committed to giving him some leash in the majors in 2026. It seemingly makes a trade for Ketel Marte unlikely, and if Brendan Donovan is acquired, he would be in line to see the bulk of his reps at a position other than second base.