MLB Player News

Maeda announced Wednesday that he will return to Japan to continue his career.

Maeda allowed seven earned runs over eight innings in the big leagues in 2025 and posted a 5.40 ERA and 1.32 WHIP across 100 frames between the Cubs' and Yankees' Triple-A affiliates. Now, after pitching for the Dodgers, Twins and Tigers during his nine MLB seasons, the 37-year-old will return to his home country, where he could end up playing out the remainder of his professional career.

Taveras agreed to a one-year, $2 million contract with the Orioles on Wednesday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Taveras will head east after spending 2025 with the Rangers and Mariners. The 27-year-old slashed just .205/.226/.304 in the regular season across 180 big-league plate appearances, though he posted a much more respectable .809 OPS in 81 games at Triple-A Tacoma. Now with the Orioles, he is likely to work as a depth piece at Triple-A Norfolk or come off the bench for the big club.

Kaiser cleared waivers Wednesday and was sent outright to Triple-A Reno, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Kaiser spent most of the season at Triple-A, where he slashed .236/.345/.406 with six homers, 31 RBI and 32 runs scored across 273 plate appearances. It's unknown whether the 28-year-old will elect to test the free-agent market, though he would be unlikely to attract more than a minor-league deal if he were to do so.

Kelly cleared waivers Wednesday and was sent outright to Triple-A Reno, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Kelly spent the vast majority of the 2025 season at Reno, where he finished with a 5.63 ERA and 1.65 WHIP through 115 innings. Now that the 36-year-old righty no longer owns a spot on Arizona's 40-man roster, he may elect free agency and look elsewhere for his next opportunity.

Nelson cleared waivers Wednesday and was outrighted to Triple-A Reno, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Nelson appeared in just three games for the D-backs in 2025, giving up two earned runs over two innings. He didn't find much success in the minor leagues either, posting an 8.83 ERA and 1.64 WHIP across 34.2 frames. His poor performance will now cost him his roster spot as the offseason begins, and it's unknown whether he will exercise his right to elect free agency.

Curtiss cleared waivers Wednesday and was sent outright to Triple-A Reno, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Curtiss finished the 2025 campaign with a 3.93 ERA and 0.93 WHIP alongside a 24:5 K:BB across 36.2 innings. However, with the Diamondbacks aiming to clear roster space before free agency begins, the 32-year-old righty will lose his place on the 40-man roster. He will have the option to elect free agency.

The Phillies exercised Alvarado's (forearm) club option Wednesday.

As expected, the Phillies have opted to pick up the $9.5 million club option on Alvarado for the 2026 season. He ended the 2025 campaign on the 15-day injured list due to a left forearm strain, and he missed 80 games earlier in the season due to a PED suspension. Across the 28 appearances he made in 2025, Alvarado posted a 3.81 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and seven saves over 26 innings. He'll have the offseason to heal from his injury and will aim to be available for the start of spring training.

The Marlins outrighted Navarreto to Triple-A Jacksonville on Wednesday.

Having been outrighted before, Navarreto can reject Wednesday's outright assignment and become a free agent if he wants. The catcher went 4-for-14 at the dish during his brief time with Miami in 2025.

The Marlins outrighted Tarnok to Triple-A Jacksonville on Wednesday.

Tarnok has been outrighted previously, so he has the ability to reject Wednesday's outright assignment and become a free agent. The right-hander pitched well during his limited chances in relief with the Marlins in 2025, allowing two runs on just one hit and a 10:4 K:BB over 7.1 innings.

The Marlins outrighted Bellozo to Triple-A Jacksonville on Wednesday.

He's no longer on the 40-man roster, but Bellozo will remain in the organization. The 25-year-old has been used as a swingman in Miami, posting a 4.20 ERA and 98:44 K:BB across 150 innings since the start of the 2024 campaign.