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.

Hamilton signed a one-year, non-guaranteed contract with Atlanta on Friday.

Hamilton finished 2025 with a 4.28 ERA and 1.25 WHIP across 40 regular-season innings -- the worst numbers of his three-year tenure in the Bronx. The 30-year-old righty will now attempt to land a spot in Atlanta's bullpen, but even if he makes the big-league club, he won't be likely to receive many high-leverage opportunities with Raisel Iglesias, Robert Suarez, Dylan Lee and Joe Jimenez (knee) already on the roster.

Vargas signed a minor-league contract with the Diamondbacks on Friday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Vargas spent most of his time at Triple-A Reno this past season but still managed to appear in 38 games for the D-backs, during which he slashed .270/.292/.383 with 19 RBI and 12 runs scored. He'll officially return to the organization to begin the 2026 campaign, although he's expected to remain an organizational depth piece.

The Mets outrighted Waddell to Triple-A Syracuse on Friday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

New York designated Waddell for assignment earlier this week, and he'll remain in the organization after clearing waivers. Waddell posted a 3.45 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 22:11 K:BB across 31.1 major-league innings last season.

Arizona outrighted Jarvis to Triple-A Reno on Friday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Jarvis was booted from the 40-man roster and designated for assignment last Friday but cleared waivers and will remain with the Diamondbacks' organization. The 27-year-old right-hander appeared in 12 games at the big-league level with Arizona last season and carded a 5.73 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 21:10 K:BB across 22 innings.

Atlanta outrighted Molina to Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday.

Molina was claimed off waivers from the Rockies earlier this month. The 23-year-old right-hander sports an ugly 6.96 ERA, 1.61 WHIP and 65:28 K:BB across 94.1 innings spanning 52 appearances (two starts) over the previous two seasons with Colorado.

The Pirates acquired Montgomery from the Rays on Friday in a three-team trade, Chandler Rome and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic report.

Montgomery logged a 5.67 ERA and walked 27 over 46 innings with the Rays in 2025, but he also struck out 63 batters and, at 98.7 mph, has one of the hardest average four-seamer velocities in the game. The lefty has past starting experience, but the Pirates are likely to keep Montgomery in the bullpen, and he could work his way into high-leverage appearances.

The Pirates acquired Mangum from the Rays on Friday in a three-team trade, Chandler Rome and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic report.

Mangum had a successful rookie season in 2025 with the Rays, slashing .296/.330/.368 with three home runs and 27 stolen bases. He'll turn 30 in March but is under team control through 2030. Mangum could be the favorite to open the 2026 season as the Pirates' starting left fielder, and he's capable of handling all three outfield spots.

The Pirates acquired Lowe, Jake Mangum and Mason Montgomery from the Rays on Friday in a three-team trade that sent Mike Burrows to the Astros and Jacob Melton and Anderson Brito to Tampa Bay, Chandler Rome and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic report.

The Rays picked up Lowe's $11.5 million option for 2026 last month but will now ship him to another team. Lowe slashed .256/.307/.477 with 31 home runs over 134 games with the Rays during the 2025 season. The 31-year-old will give the Pirates some much-needed thump to their lineup and also take over at a position of need in second base.

The Cardinals outrighted Koperniak to Triple-A Memphis on Friday.

While no longer on the 40-man roster, Koperniak will remain in the organization after passing through waivers unclaimed. The 27-year-old outfielder is coming off a poor 2025 season at Memphis, slashing .249/.322/.387 across 537 plate appearances.