Atlanta declined Johnson's $7 million option for 2026 on Thursday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Johnson has posted a 2.91 ERA and 158:49 K:BB across 139 innings over the past two-and-a-half seasons for Atlanta, so it's a bit of a surprise the club passed on retaining him for a relatively modest sum. The 34-year-old should draw plenty of interest on the open market.

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.

The Blue Jays activated Pina (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Thursday and outrighted him to Triple-A Buffalo.

Pina was recalled and immediately placed on the 60-day IL with a UCL sprain in September as a means to free up a spot on the 40-man roster. The righty did not require surgery and could be ready for spring training, but it would now be as a non-roster invitee.

Tate elected to become a free agent Thursday.

Tate has opted for free agency rather than accepting an outright assignment by the Blue Jays. The 31-year-old reliever made six regular-season appearances for Toronto in 2025, allowing three runs with an 8:6 K:BB over 6.1 innings.

Burr (shoulder) elected to become a free agent Thursday.

Burr was removed from the Blue Jays' 40-man roster and has exercised his right to free agency. He's recovering from July 2025 right shoulder capsule surgery and might not be ready for the start of the 2026 season.

The Blue Jays selected Valenzuela's contract from Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday.

Valenzuela is now protected from next month's Rule 5 Draft. Acquired at the trade deadline from the Padres in exchange for Will Wagner, Valenzuela slashed .224/.309/.383 with 15 home runs over 113 games between the Double- and Triple-A levels in 2025. The 25-year-old will likely begin the 2026 campaign back at Buffalo.

The Blue Jays extended a one-year, $22.05 million qualifying offer to Bichette on Thursday.

Bichette will turn the offer down, as he is set to land a lucrative multi-year contract as a free agent this offseason. If Bichette signs elsewhere, the Blue Jays will net a draft pick as compensation. Bichette slashed .311/.357/.483 with 18 home runs and 94 RBI over 139 regular-season games for Toronto in 2025.

Atlanta declined Kinley's $5.5 million option for 2026 on Thursday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

The decision comes as a bit of a surprise, as Kinley pitched well for Atlanta after being acquired at the trade deadline, posting a 0.72 ERA, 0.68 WHIP and 22:6 K:BB over 25 innings. It's possible Atlanta will look to bring back Kinley at a lesser rate, but the veteran reliever is now free to negotiate with all teams.

The Rays exercised Lowe's $11.5 million option for 2026 on Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Lowe will stay put after he slashed .256/.307/.477 with 31 home runs and 83 RBI this season for the Rays. The 31-year-old will be entering his walk year in 2026, so he will be a trade candidate if the Rays are not in contention when the deadline arrives.

The Rays exercised Walls' (sports hernia) $2.45 million option for 2026 and added a $3.1 million club option for 2027 on Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

The new deal covers Walls' remaining years of arbitration eligibility, if the 2027 option is picked up. Walls is a career .195/.286/.298 hitter over parts of five major-league seasons but is regarded as a plus defender. He could compete for the starting shortstop job next season with Carson Williams but could ultimately settle into a utility infielder role. Walls is recovering from sports hernia surgery but is expected to be ready for spring training.