Soto signed a one-year, $7.75 million contract with the Pirates on Tuesday, Jorge Castillo of ESPN.com reports.

Soto improved in nearly every major statistical category in 2025, finishing the regular season with a 4.18 ERA and 1.43 WHIP alongside 22 holds and a 70:24 K:BB over 60.1 innings between the Orioles and Mets. He'll receive a $2.4 million raise upon moving to the Pirates and is likely to remain in a high-leverage role; however, the majority of save opportunities will presumably continue going to Dennis Santana.

The Red Sox plan to challenge Abreu to face more left-handers this coming season, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Abreu has mostly been limited to facing right-handers since his MLB arrival in 2023, but the Red Sox are ready to give him a shot against all starters. "With Willy and some of the lefties, we have to see if they can do it," manager Alex Cora said. "It's about that time, especially with Abreu. If he can hit lefties and hit for power and play defense the way he's done the last few years, he can be the guy." Abreu's made just 15 starts against lefties and has 145 total plate appearances against southpaws since 2023, struggling to a .205 average and .589 OPS.

Casas (knee) has been at Boston's training facility in Fort Myers since the end of the regular season, Lauren Campbell of MassLive.com reports.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora continues to have faith in the young first baseman, who was limited to 29 games last season. "That's great for a young guy to know what he needs to do to compete," the manager said. "He's done that. Hopefully we can get him heathy." The shortened 2025 season was the second consecutive abbreviated campaign for Casas, who was limited to 63 games in 2024 due to a fractured rib. Casas is not a lock to return as the starting first baseman, and the Red Sox are rumored to have interest in free-agent first baseman Pete Alonso.

Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom said Tuesday that Thompson (lat) should be ready for the start of spring training, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Thompson missed the entirety of the 2025 season due to a left lat strain, encountering multiple setbacks along the way. He was removed from the Cardinals' 40-man roster last month, but the southpaw remains in the organization and will compete for a roster spot in spring training.

Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said Tuesday that Lopez (shoulder) will be stretched out as a starting pitcher during spring training, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Weiss noted that Lopez could eventually become a bullpen option if that's the route the team ultimately decides to take, but for the time being Lopez will prepare to be in Atlanta's 2026 rotation. The right-hander missed nearly the entire 2025 season following arthroscopic shoulder surgery in April, but he was throwing off a mound by September and should be ready for the start of spring training.

The Angels acquired Grissom from the Red Sox on Tuesday in exchange for Isaiah Jackson, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Grissom had a forgettable tenure in Boston after being sent there from Atlanta in the Chris Sale trade. He slashed only .190/.246/.219 with zero home runs over 31 games during the 2024 season before spending all of 2025 at Triple-A Worcester, where he slashed .270/.342/.441 with 13 home runs. Grissom -- who will turn just 25 in January -- is out of minor-league options and will get a fresh start with the Angels. Most of Grissom's experience has come in the middle infield, but he's also handled third base, first base and left field.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Tuesday that Santander's left shoulder and back "finally feel normal" again, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

Santander was limited to only 54 games in 2025 due to a shoulder subluxation and also a nagging lower-back issue. He slashed just .175/.271/.294 in those contests and saw his strikeout rate spike to 27.6 percent. It appears Santander is healthy now, though, and Schneider believes the 31-year-old "is going to be huge for us." Santander split his time between the outfield and designated hitter in 2025 and could do the same in 2026.

The Angels re-signed Rivero to a minor-league contract Tuesday, Taylor Blake Ward of The Sporting Tribune reports.

Rivero was non-tendered by the Halos last month but is back with the club on a minor-league pact. He's hit .172/.226/.212 over 45 games at the big-league level and will give the Angels some experienced catching depth at Triple-A Salt Lake.

Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes has said that Graterol (shoulder) will be "full-go" for spring training, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Graterol missed the entire 2025 season following November 2024 labrum surgery on his right shoulder. He experienced a setback with the shoulder during the second half, but it appears the hard-throwing reliever is back on track now. Graterol has hardly pitched the last two seasons because of injury, but he held a 1.20 ERA over 68 appearances in 2023, his last full season.

The Dodgers signed Diaz to a three-year, $69 million contract Tuesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

For the second straight offseason the Dodgers have inked the top closer on the free-agent market. The $23 million average annual value sets a new record for a reliever. Diaz will turn 32 in March but is coming off one of his best seasons, having collected a 1.63 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 98:21 K:BB over 66.1 innings while notching 28 saves. He will take over as closer for the two-time defending World Series champs.