The Astros placed Rooney (elbow) on outright waivers Tuesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Rooney made his MLB debut in 2025, giving up one run and striking out two batters over 1.1 innings against the Orioles on Aug. 24. All of his other appearances came in Triple-A, where he finished the season with a 2.56 ERA and 1.19 WHIP through 38.2 frames. His year was cut short in September by elbow surgery, and it remains unknown whether he'll be ready for the start of the 2026 campaign.

The Astros placed McCormick on outright waivers Tuesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

McCormick was one of five players waived by Houston on Tuesday in an effort to free up roster space heading into the offseason. If he passes through waivers unclaimed, the 30-year-old outfielder will have the option to reject his assignment and become a free agent. After posting a .786 OPS through his first three seasons in the majors, McCormick has regressed considerably at the plate, slashing just .211/273/.301 across 383 plate appearances since 2024.

The Red Sox declined Hendriks' (elbow) $12 million mutual option for 2026 on Tuesday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Hendriks missed the majority of the season with hip and elbow injuries and posted a 6.59 ERA across 13.2 innings when healthy, so the Red Sox will pay him a $2 million buyout instead of the $12 million he would have been owed next year. The right-handed reliever is set to turn 37 in February, and although he may still receive some interest on the open market despite his injury history, there likely isn't a landing spot where he would have a chance to pitch in high-leverage situations consistently -- at least not right away.

Perez (shoulder) declined his $10 million mutual option for 2026 on Tuesday and became a free agent.

Perez will receive a $1.5 million buyout after declining his option. Elbow and shoulder injuries limited the left-hander to just 11 appearances (10 starts) in 2025, and he finished the season with a 3.54 ERA and 1.11 WHIP through 56 innings. Although he performed well when healthy, health concerns and the fact that he's due to turn 35 in April will likely keep his cost down in free agency.

Flaherty will remain with the Tigers after electing not to opt out of his $20 million contract for 2026, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Flaherty surely could have received more guaranteed money on the open market, but he has decided to stay put following an up-and-down 2025 campaign. The right-hander posted a 4.64 ERA across 31 regular-season starts for the Tigers, but he also fanned 188 batters over 161 innings. Staying put at Comerica Park and having what should be an above-average offense to support him help Flaherty's case for 2026.

Twins president of baseball operations Derek Falvey said Tuesday that Festa (shoulder) should resume throwing relatively soon, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

Festa was diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome in September, but it's considered a mild version and he was given Botox injections to alleviate a compressed nerve between his right shoulder and neck. A setback is possible, but for now Festa is expected to be ready for the start of spring training. If healthy, the young righty will compete for a spot in the Twins' rotation next season. Festa held a 5.40 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 53:19 K:BB over 53.1 innings in 2025 with the big club.

Twins president of baseball operations Derek Falvey said Tuesday that Lopez (forearm) is fully healthy and projected to have a normal offseason, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

Lopez's 2025 season ended in late September with a mild right forearm strain, and he also missed two months earlier in the year with a Grade 2 teres major strain. However, there are no current concerns with Lopez's pitching arm entering the offseason, and he will not face restrictions at the beginning of spring training. The 29-year-old pitched well in 2025 when healthy, posting a 2.74 ERA and 73:20 K:BB over 75.2 innings. Lopez is owed $43.5 million over the next two seasons, and with the Twins shedding payroll, he's a trade candidate this winter.

The Brewers declined Quintana's $15 million mutual option for 2026 on Tuesday.

The veteran left-hander will be given a $2 million buyout instead. Quintana made 24 regular-season starts for the Brewers this season, finishing with a 3.96 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 89:50 K:BB over 131.2 frames. The southpaw will turn 37 in January but should be able to land a decent contract from a club in need of a back-end starter.

The Brewers declined Contreras' $12 million option for 2026.

Contreras will receive a $100,000 buyout instead, and he remains under team control for 2026 and 2027 as an arbitration-eligible player. The catcher slashed .260/.355/.399 with 17 home runs over 150 regular-season games for the Brewers in 2025. Contreras was scheduled to visit a hand specialist last week to determine whether he needs surgery to repair a fractured left middle finger, but there's no word on whether an operation is required. Even if he does have surgery, his availability for spring training is not expected to be in peril.

Story will remain with the Red Sox after choosing not to opt out of the two years and $50 million left on his contract, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Story is owed $25 million each of the next two seasons and the Red Sox have a $25 million club option or $5 million buyout on him for 2028. He might have been able to get more than that on the open market, but Story -- who will turn 33 later this month -- has opted to stay put. Story slashed .263/.308/.433 with 25 home runs and 31 stolen bases over 157 regular-season games for Boston in 2025.