MLB Player News

Raley signed a one-year contract with the Mariners on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

This marked Raley's first year of arbitration eligibility. He took a significant step back in 2025, logging only a .630 OPS across 219 plate appearances while also dealing with oblique and back injuries. Raley projects to begin 2026 in a reserve role for Seattle.

Gilbert and the Mariners agreed to a one-year, $10.9 million contract to avoid arbitration Thursday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

This marked Gilbert's third year of arbitration eligibility, and he's secured a raise of about $3.4 million for 2026. He turned in another very strong season last year, maintaining a 3.44 ERA and 1.03 WHIP across 131 frames during the regular season.

Bednar agreed to a one-year, $9 million contract with the Yankees on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Bednar had a rocky start to the 2025 season with Pittsburgh, which resulted in a brief demotion to Triple-A. His trip to the minors did the trick, as he reclaimed his closer role in the Pirates' bullpen and pitched well before being traded to the Yankees in late July. Bednar served as the preferred closer for the Bronx Bombers toward the tail end of the regular season, and in 22 outings with the Yankees, he logged a 2.19 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 10 saves (on 13 opportunities) and a 35:9 K:BB across 24.2 innings. Bednar figures to reprise his role as the Yankees' top closer for the 2026 season.

Brash and the Mariners agreed to a one-year contract to avoid arbitration on Thursday, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Brash has been a key high-leverage reliever for the Mariners across the last two seasons, racking up a combined eight saves and 46 holds. He should serve in a similar capacity in 2026, working as the primary setup man to Andres Munoz. This was Brash's first year of arbitration eligibility.

Abreu signed a one-year, $5.85 million contract with the Astros on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Abreu was one of five relief pitchers in 2025 to record 100-plus strikeouts, doing so for a third consecutive season while boasting a 35.5 percent strikeout rate and 41.2 percent whiff rate. He finished the year with a 2.28 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 25 holds over 71 innings while recording a career-high seven saves, though that opportunity came only after Josh Hader (shoulder) landed on the IL in mid-August. With Hader on track to be fully healthy by Opening Day, Abreu should return to a setup role to begin 2026.

Duran agreed to a one-year contract with the Rangers on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Duran played 90 games for the Rangers last season and had a career-worst .559 OPS, failing to hit a home run in 219 plate appearances. The 26-year-old has a contract for 2026 but likely won't have much roster security given that he has a .237/.278/.309 slash line across the past two seasons.

Smith agreed to a one-year, $3.225 million contract with the Rangers on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Smith will end up earning a little more than the $2.5 million that he was projected for in his first year of arbitration eligibility, per Spotrac.com. He's primarily worked as a super-utility player for the Rangers but could find a regular role at second base in 2026 following the offseason departure of Marcus Semien.

Jung agreed to a one-year contract with the Rangers on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The terms of the deal have yet to be disclosed, but Jung was estimated to make about $2.4 million in his first year of arbitration eligibility, according to Spotrac.com. The third baseman played a career-high 131 games last season, but he scuffled to a .251/.294/.390 slash line while hitting just 14 home runs.

Burger (wrist) agreed to a one-year contract with the Rangers on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The contract specifics have yet to be announced, but Burger was projected to make around $3.1 million in his first year of arbitration eligibility, per Spotrac.com. The first baseman had an underwhelming first season with the Rangers in 2025, clubbing just 16 home runs with a .688 OPS in 103 games after totaling 63 long balls over the previous two campaigns, and even earning a brief demotion to Triple-A Round Rock in May. Burger underwent wrist surgery in early September but should be ready for the start of spring training.

Corona signed a minor-league contract with the Yankees on Thursday, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Corona spent nearly all of the 2025 season with the Astros' Triple-A affiliate, where he slashed .220/.308/.326 with 36 RBI, 50 runs scored and 18 stolen bases across 433 plate appearances. Given his offensive struggles in the minors, it seems overwhelmingly likely that the 25-year-old outfielder heads to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre for the 2026 campaign.