MLB Player News

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.

Turner became a free agent Thursday after his $10 mutual option for 2026 was declined.

It's unclear whether Turner or the Cubs passed on the option first, but either way, the veteran will be paid a $2 million buyout and head into free agency. Turner slashed just .219/.288/.314 with three homers across 80 regular-season contests in his lone year with the Cubs. Turner will turn 41 later this month and might have a difficult time landing a major-league contract this winter, assuming he wants to continue his playing career.

The Cubs re-signed Rea to a one-year, $5.5 million contract with a $7.5 million club option for 2027 on Thursday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

The buyout on the 2027 option is $1 million, so Rea will be guaranteed at least $6.5 million. The Cubs had held a $6 million option on Rea for 2026, but instead he will get slightly more guaranteed money, while the Cubs will pick up an additional year of control. Rea put up a 3.95 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 127:44 K:BB over 159.1 regular-season innings for the Cubs in 2025. He'll likely open 2026 at the back end of the rotation, though he could shift to a swingman role if the team makes multiple other additions.