MLB Player News

The Dodgers picked up Muncy's $10 million club option for 2026 on Thursday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Keeping Muncy in town was likely an easy decision, as the 35-year-old slashed .243/.376/.470 with 19 homers, 67 RBI and 48 runs scored over 388 regular-season plate appearances. He added three more long balls and scored eight runs during the Dodgers' postseason run, which ended in the team winning its second World Series title in as many years. Muncy is likely to remain Los Angeles' primary third baseman while the club goes for the three-peat in 2026.

Estrada (hamstring) cleared waivers Thursday and elected to become a free agent.

Estrada was placed on waivers after the Rockies declined to pick up his $7 million mutual option for 2025. Numerous injuries limited the 29-year-old infielder to playing just 39 MLB games in 2025, during which he slashed .253/.285/.370 across 165 plate appearances. He could still receive some interest in the open market, though his injury history and poor offensive performance may limit his options.

McCormick elected to become a free agent Thursday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

McCormick passed through waivers unclaimed after the Astros removed him from their 40-man roster Tuesday. Because the outfielder has more than three years of major-league service time, he had the ability to elect free agency and has done just that. After slashing .259/.336/.449 in his first three seasons with the Astros, McCormick has hit only .211/.273/.301 the last two years. He might have to settle for a minor-league contract this winter.

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.

The Tigers declined Sewald's $10 million mutual option for 2026 on Thursday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Sewald exercised his part of the option, but the Tigers declined their side and will pay the reliever a $1 million buyout instead. The 35-year-old Sewald was limited to only 19.2 regular-season innings in 2025 due to a shoulder issue, posting a 4.58 ERA and 20:6 K:BB between the Guardians and Tigers. He finished the season healthy, but Sewald didn't pitch during the wild-card series versus the Guardians and was not included on the Tigers' ALDS roster.

The Orioles claimed Leon (knee) off waivers from the Astros on Thursday, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.

The Astros attempted to slip Leon through waivers as they did some 40-man roster housecleaning, but the Orioles have scooped the outfielder up. Leon was limited to only 94 rehab plate appearances in 2025 while batting a nagging knee issue, though he was playing in games at the end of the year and should enter spring training healthy. The 27-year-old slashed .299/.372/.514 with 24 homers and 29 stolen bases at Triple-A Sugar Land in 2024. He should compete for an Opening Day roster spot but does have minor-league options remaining.

Criswell signed a one-year, $800,000 contract with the Red Sox on Thursday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Criswell appeared in seven games for Boston in 2025, finishing the regular season with a 3.57 ERA and 1.58 WHIP through 17.2 innings. He put up similar numbers at Triple-A Worcester (3.70 ERA, 1.35 WHIP) before elbow inflammation put an early end to his season in late August. The 29-year-old righty doesn't have any more minor-league options remaining, so he will have to make the Red Sox's Opening Day roster to avoid losing his 40-man spot.

The Tigers declined Urquidy's $4 million option for 2026 on Thursday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Urquidy missed most of the last two seasons due to Tommy John surgery, though he finished the 2025 campaign healthy. The 30-year-old right-hander got knocked around in two regular-season relief outings for the Tigers but pitched well on his rehab assignment, posting a 2.91 ERA and 18:5 K:BB over 21.2 innings. Urquidy will look to land a rotation job somewhere this winter, though he might have to settle for a minor-league contract.

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.