MLB Player News

The Athletics outrighted Baez to Triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday.

He's no longer on the 40-man roster but will remain in the organization after passing throug waivers unclaimed. Baez spent all of the 2026 season at Double-A Midland, holding a 7.09 ERA and 51:32 K:BB over 53.1 innings covering 14 starts.

Imai will remain with the Astros in 2027 rather than exercising the opt-out clause in his contract, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Imai has two years and $36 million remaining on his contract, which is well shy of what he'd get on the open market after he posted a disappointing 4.93 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 97:51 K:BB over 76.2 innings in his first year with the Astros. He has another opt-out clause in his contract that he could exercise after the 2027 campaign. Imai spent the final two months of the regular season in the bullpen, and it's unclear what plans the Astros have in store for Imai's role next season.

The Angels outrighted Rivero to Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday.

The Angels are doing some 40-man roster housekeeping, and Rivero will lose his spot. He has the ability to reject the outright assignment and become a free agent, a move Rivero seems likely to make.

The Angels outrighted Peralta to Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday.

The transaction frees a spot on the Angels' 40-man roster. Since he's been outrighted previously, Peralta has the ability to decline the assignment and become a free agent. He holds a career 5.64 ERA and 60:33 K:BB over 68.2 innings covering parts of four big-league seasons.

The Red Sox traded Eaton to the Athletics on Thursday in exchange for minor-league pitcher Jareth Rayo, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Eaton appeared in 24 games for the Red Sox this season, going 8-for-50 (.160) at the plate while tallying six RBI, four runs scored and two steals. He had a bit more success in the minors to the tune of a .254/.338/.412 slash line over 363 plate appearances, and he'll likely compete for a spot on the Athletics' Opening Day roster in 2027.

Helsley (elbow) will exercise his $14 million player option for 2027, Andy Kostka of TheBanner.com reports.

Helsley was limited to only 15.1 innings in 2026 because of elbow trouble, making his decision to pick up his player option and remain in Baltimore a fairly easy one. The reliever pitched in a rehab game in September, so he should be healthy for spring training, barring any setbacks. Helsley figures to be in the mix to close games for the Orioles in 2027, though Felix Bautista and/or Rico Garcia are also options for the ninth inning.

Rasmussen was charged with the loss in Game 5 of the World Series against the Brewers on Wednesday. He gave up one run on two hits with four strikeouts and no walks over four innings.

Pitching on short rest after Tampa Bay avoided a sweep Tuesday, Rasmussen gave his club a chance in Game 5 with four strong innings, but the Rays offense never found any traction. The right-hander surrendered just seven runs with a 31:5 K:BB across 28.2 innings during the playoffs. Rasmussen has a $20 million club option for 2027, which the Rays are likely to exercise after he posted a 2.67 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 174:32 K:BB over a career-high 172 innings during the regular season.

Caminero (foot) will start at third base and will bat third Wednesday in Game 5 of the World Series against the Brewers.

A sore right foot in extra innings forced the removal of Caminero from the Rays' Game 4 victory. Per Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca, manager Kevin Cash noted that Caminero has "been dealing with some lower extremity injuries," but there was no consideration given to excluding the slugger from Wednesday's elimination game. Caminero is slashing .250/.321/.396 with one home run in 13 games this postseason.

Rasmussen will start Wednesday in Game 5 of the World Series against the Brewers, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

He'll be taking the ball on three days' rest after throwing 89 pitches over 3.2 innings in Game 2 on Saturday. Rasmussen was knocked around for three runs on six hits and two walks in that outing, but the righty was dominant in his first three starts this postseason in holding a 1.29 ERA with a 23:3 K:BB in 21 frames. He will be opposed by National League Cy Young front-runner Jacob Misiorowski.

Yoshida is unlikely to return to the Red Sox next season, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Yoshida had a solid showing offensively in 2026 when healthy, slashing .274/.347/.399 with five home runs and a 28:33 BB:K over 87 contests. However, Yoshida is basically unplayable in the outfield, and the Red Sox are already well-stocked with outfielders, anyway. The 33-year-old is owed $18 million in 2027 in his final year under contract, and the Red Sox might be willing to just eat that contract if they're unable to find a trade partner.