MLB Player News

The Rangers claimed Otanez off waivers from the Athletics on Wednesday.

Otanez is a hard thrower with a 34.1 percent strikeout rate but also a 14 percent walk rate over 39.1 big-league innings. The 28-year-old will compete for a spot in the Rangers' bullpen.

The Rangers claimed MacIver off waivers from the Athletics on Wednesday.

MacIver got his feet wet at the big-league level in 2025, slashing .186/.252/.324 over 32 games for the Athletics. The Rangers have Jonah Heim and Kyle Higashioka slated to handle catching duties in 2026, so MacIver is merely a depth addition.

The Mariners acquired Wilcox from the Rays on Wednesday in exchange for cash considerations.

Wilcox had been designated for assignment by the Rays earlier this week and will now join a new 40-man roster. The 26-year-old spent most of the 2025 season at Triple-A Durham, holding a 3.71 ERA and 57:24 K:BB over 51 innings. It was his first year as a full-time reliever, and Wilcox is likely to begin the 2026 campaign in the bullpen at Triple-A Tacoma.

The Rockies claimed Johnston off waivers from the Marlins on Wednesday.

Johnston reached the majors for the first time in 2025 as a 28-year-old and fared well, slashing .277/.331/.420 with four home runs over 121 plate appearances. He can play first base and the corner outfield spots and should have a decent path to playing time on a talent-deficient Rockies roster.

The Orioles claimed Soriano off waivers from the Marlins on Wednesday.

In 118 innings across parts of three seasons in the big leagues, Soriano has collected a 5.95 ERA and 117:55 K:BB. The 26-year-old reliever does not have minor-league options remaining, so he would have to go through the waivers process again if he doesn't make the Orioles' Opening Day roster.

The Orioles designated Johnson for assignment Wednesday.

Clearing Johnson from the 40-man roster frees up a spot for waiver acquisition George Soriano. Johnson, 30, slashed .189/.246/.302 over 31 games between the Giants and Orioles this season.

Polanco declined a $6 million player option with the Mariners for 2026 on Wednesday, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

It was an expected decision after Polanco bounced back in 2025 with a .265/.326/.495 batting line and 26 home runs over 138 regular-season contests. Polanco clubbed an additional three long balls during the Mariners' postseason run, and Seattle is likely to make an effort to retain the 32-year-old switch hitter.

Santos (back) posted an 8.49 ERA, 1.97 WHIP and 15:5 K:BB In 11.2 innings over four appearances between Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock upon being activated from Frisco's 7-day injured list Aug. 29.

Santos had been on the shelf for more than four months due to a stress reaction in his back, which he sustained following his second start of the season with Frisco. Due to the extended time Santos missed, the Rangers sent him to the Arizona Fall League, where he submitted a 5.28 ERA, 1.81 WHIP and 15:9 K:BB in 14.1 innings. The 23-year-old righty will be heading into his second straight season as a member of the Rangers' 40-man roster, but he's unlikely to seriously contend for an Opening Day spot with the big club and will likely be ticketed for the Round Rock rotation to begin the 2026 campaign.

The Giants declined Murphy's (back) $4 million team option for 2026 on Monday, Maria Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Murphy received a $250,000 buyout and will take home $8.25 million over his two-year stay with the Giants, during which he appeared in just 13 games. He didn't play after early May of the 2024 season after suffering a knee sprain, then missed the entire 2025 campaign due to a mid-back disc herniation that cropped up during spring training. The Giants didn't provide a clear indication on where Murphy stood in his rehab program before the end of this past season, making it uncertain if he'll be healthy in advance of spring training. If the 34-year-old backstop elects to continue his playing career in 2026, he'll likely have to settle for a minor-league deal.

Atlanta exercised Sale's $18 million option for 2026 on Wednesday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

The decision was fait accompli, as Sale has re-emerged as one of the best pitchers in baseball since joining Atlanta, collecting a 2.46 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 390:71 K:BB over 303.1 innings since the beginning of the 2024 campaign. Sale missed more than two months of action this season with a left ribcage fracture, but he finished the year healthy and was superb after returning from the injury with a 2.72 ERA and 51:6 K:BB over his final 36.1 frames. The veteran lefty will turn 37 just after Opening Day next season.