MLB Player News
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Michael Darrell-Hicks RP | PIT
Pirates' Michael Darrell-Hicks: Designated for assignment
The Pirates designated Darrell-Hicks for assignment Thursday, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.
Darrell-Hicks struggled to find his footing on the mound in 2025, posting a 7.45 ERA and 1.45 WHIP through 9.2 MLB innings, as well as an 8.45 ERA and 1.93 WHIP through 38.1 innings in Triple-A. He'll lose his place on Pittsburgh's 40-man roster as a consequence of his struggles, and he'll likely have to turn things around dramatically before the club considers adding him back.
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Nick Madrigal 3B | NYM
Nick Madrigal: Elects free agency
Madrigal (shoulder) cleared waivers and opted for free agency Thursday.
Madrigal missed the full 2025 campaign after undergoing surgery in February to repair a fractured left shoulder. The infielder, who'll turn 29 in March, will now hit the open market. He spent the previous three years with the Cubs before signing with the Mets ahead of the 2025 season.
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Roddery Munoz RP | HOU
Reds' Roddery Munoz: Claimed by Reds
The Reds claimed Munoz off waivers from the Cardinals on Thursday.
Munoz gave up 10 earned runs in 11 innings with the Cardinals in 2025 but finished the minor-league season with a 3.28 ERA and 1.33 WHIP through 57.2 frames at Memphis. The Reds, evidently intrigued by his Triple-A statline, will now bring the 25-year-old in to add depth to their pitching staff, but because he has no more options remaining, Munoz will need to make the Opening Day roster in order to stay on the 40-man roster.
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Sam Benschoter RP | CIN
Reds' Sam Benschoter: Outrighted to Louisville
Benschoter cleared waivers Thursday and was sent outright to Triple-A Louisville.
Benschoter joined the Reds' active roster twice in 2025 but has yet to make his debut in the major leagues. He appeared in 38 games at Louisville, however, turning in a 4.12 ERA and 1.33 WHIP with a 68:22 K:BB over 78.2 innings. He's likely to report back to Triple-A to begin the 2026 campaign.
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Jake Fraley RF | TB
Rays' Jake Fraley: Claimed by Rays
Tampa Bay claimed Fraley (oblique) off waivers from Atlanta on Thursday.
Fraley suffered a right oblique strain in mid-September, and after being exposed to waivers, he'll get a fresh start in Tampa Bay. Fraley slashed .241/.332/.382 during the 2025 season, spending the bulk of the year with Cincinnati before ending the campaign in Atlanta.
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Mason Black P | KC
Giants' Mason Black: Dropped from 40-man
The Giants designated Black for assignment Thursday.
Black spent the majority of the 2025 campaign at Triple-A Sacramento, where he struggled to the tune of a 5.81 ERA and 1.48 WHIP alongside a 114:62 K:BB over 119.1 innings. His poor performance will now cause him to lose his place on San Francisco's 40-man roster in favor of Reiver Sanmartin, who was claimed off waivers from the Reds in a corresponding move.
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Justin Dean OF | CHC
Giants' Justin Dean: Claimed by Giants
The Giants claimed Dean off waivers from the Dodgers on Thursday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Dean logged two plate appearances in 18 big-league games during the 2025 regular season before serving as a defensive specialist for Los Angeles' World Series run. The outfielder spent most of the season at Triple-A Oklahoma City and slashed .289/.378/431 with six homers and 27 stolen bases over 347 plate appearances
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Tony Gonsolin SP | LAD
Dodgers' Tony Gonsolin: DFA'd by Dodgers
The Dodgers designated Gonsolin (elbow) for assignment Thursday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
A back injury prevented Gonsolin from pitching in the first month of the regular season, and he suffered an elbow injury in June that ultimately required season-ending surgery and will keep him sidelined for at least the first few months of the 2026 campaign. Assuming the injury-prone righty clears waivers, he will have the right to elect free agency and attempt to find another opportunity elsewhere.