MLB Player News
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Garrett Acton RP | COL
Rockies' Garrett Acton: Claimed by Rockies
The Rockies claimed Acton off waivers from the Rays on Thursday.
Acton posted a 3.68 ERA and 1.13 WHIP across 58.2 innings at Triple-A Durham in 2025, which is evidently enough for the Rockies to feel comfortable adding him to a very weak pitching staff. Colorado's lack of depth gives the 27-year-old a decent chance to break spring training with the big club; otherwise, he'll report to Triple-A Albuquerque.
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Ramon Laureano RF | SD
Padres' Ramon Laureano: Staying in San Diego
The Padres exercised Laureano's (finger) $6.5 million club option for 2026 on Thursday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
Laureano had a big 2025 season between the Orioles and Padres, slashing .281/.342/.512 with 24 home runs and seven stolen bases across 132 regular-season contests. The 31-year-old's season ended in late September when he suffered a fractured right index finger, but he'll be healed in time for spring training. Laureano is set to open the 2026 campaign as the Padres' everyday left fielder.
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Colin Rea SP | CHC
Cubs' Colin Rea: Back with Cubs on one-year deal
The Cubs re-signed Rea to a one-year, $5.5 million contract with a $7.5 million club option for 2027 on Thursday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
The buyout on the 2027 option is $1 million, so Rea will be guaranteed at least $6.5 million. The Cubs had held a $6 million option on Rea for 2026, but instead he will get slightly more guaranteed money, while the Cubs will pick up an additional year of control. Rea put up a 3.95 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 127:44 K:BB over 159.1 regular-season innings for the Cubs in 2025. He'll likely open 2026 at the back end of the rotation, though he could shift to a swingman role if the team makes multiple other additions.
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Connor Kaiser 2B | ARI
Diamondbacks' Connor Kaiser: Loses 40-man spot
Kaiser cleared waivers Wednesday and was sent outright to Triple-A Reno, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
Kaiser spent most of the season at Triple-A, where he slashed .236/.345/.406 with six homers, 31 RBI and 32 runs scored across 273 plate appearances. It's unknown whether the 28-year-old will elect to test the free-agent market, though he would be unlikely to attract more than a minor-league deal if he were to do so.
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Casey Kelly RP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Casey Kelly: Outrighted to Triple-A
Kelly cleared waivers Wednesday and was sent outright to Triple-A Reno, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
Kelly spent the vast majority of the 2025 season at Reno, where he finished with a 5.63 ERA and 1.65 WHIP through 115 innings. Now that the 36-year-old righty no longer owns a spot on Arizona's 40-man roster, he may elect free agency and look elsewhere for his next opportunity.
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Kyle Nelson RP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Kyle Nelson: Kicked off 40-man
Nelson cleared waivers Wednesday and was outrighted to Triple-A Reno, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
Nelson appeared in just three games for the D-backs in 2025, giving up two earned runs over two innings. He didn't find much success in the minor leagues either, posting an 8.83 ERA and 1.64 WHIP across 34.2 frames. His poor performance will now cost him his roster spot as the offseason begins, and it's unknown whether he will exercise his right to elect free agency.
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John Curtiss RP | ARI
Diamondbacks' John Curtiss: Outrighted to Reno
Curtiss cleared waivers Wednesday and was sent outright to Triple-A Reno, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
Curtiss finished the 2025 campaign with a 3.93 ERA and 0.93 WHIP alongside a 24:5 K:BB across 36.2 innings. However, with the Diamondbacks aiming to clear roster space before free agency begins, the 32-year-old righty will lose his place on the 40-man roster. He will have the option to elect free agency.
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Jose Alvarado RP | PHI
Phillies' Jose Alvarado: Club option exercised
The Phillies exercised Alvarado's (forearm) club option Wednesday.
As expected, the Phillies have opted to pick up the $9.5 million club option on Alvarado for the 2026 season. He ended the 2025 campaign on the 15-day injured list due to a left forearm strain, and he missed 80 games earlier in the season due to a PED suspension. Across the 28 appearances he made in 2025, Alvarado posted a 3.81 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and seven saves over 26 innings. He'll have the offseason to heal from his injury and will aim to be available for the start of spring training.
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Freddy Tarnok RP | MIA
Marlins' Freddy Tarnok: Scrubbed from 40-man roster
The Marlins outrighted Tarnok to Triple-A Jacksonville on Wednesday.
Tarnok has been outrighted previously, so he has the ability to reject Wednesday's outright assignment and become a free agent. The right-hander pitched well during his limited chances in relief with the Marlins in 2025, allowing two runs on just one hit and a 10:4 K:BB over 7.1 innings.