Valdez (shoulder) has returned to game action with the Estrellas Orientales in the Dominican Winter League, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Valdez underwent season-ending surgery in May to repair a dislocated left shoulder, but he's played three winter ball games and smacked a grand slam in his third contest for Estrellas on Sunday. Slated to turn 27 later this month, Valdez slashed .209/.294/.363 with two home runs and an 11:16 BB:K over 102 plate appearances for Pittsburgh before getting hurt. It seems Valdez will ready to roll for the start of spring training and he'll compete for a spot on the Pirates' Opening Day roster in 2026.

The Rockies signed Lopez to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training Monday, Kevin Henry of The Denver Gazette reports.

Lopez spent most of the 2025 season in the minors but did see action in 18 games between the Cubs and Angels, going just 1-for-24 at the plate. Most of Lopez's experience is at second base, and the Rockies have an opening at that position, but if the 30-year-old manages to crack the Opening Day roster, it will likely be in a reserve infielder role.

The Chiba Lotte Marines of Nippon Professional Baseball signed Castillo to a contract Monday, the pitcher's agency, OL Baseball Group, reports.

Castillo bounced around to four different teams during the 2025 regular season, collecting a 3.94 ERA and 30:14 K:BB over 32 innings between the Diamondbacks, Mets, Mariners and Orioles. The left-handed reliever will now try his luck overseas in 2026.

Helsley signed a two-year, $28 million contract with the Orioles on Saturday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Helsley's new deal will also give him the ability to opt out after the first season. Multiple teams were pursuing the right-hander with hopes of converting him to a starter, but Passan states that Helsley will remain in a closing role upon joining the Orioles. The 31-year-old got off to a strong start this past season in St. Louis, posting a 3.00 ERA and 1.39 WHIP alongside 41:14 K:BB across 36 innings and tallying 21 saves. He then regressed considerably after being traded to the Mets and finished the year giving up 16 earned runs over his final 20 frames. Despite his poor finish, Helsley still boasts a career 2.96 ERA and is just one year removed from tallying an MLB-high 49 saves in 2024, keeping him worthy of fantasy attention next season.

According to sources, McCarthy or Alek Thomas will likely be traded during the offseason, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

The Diamondbacks would experience a cost savings by moving one of these arbitration-eligible center fielders and using a younger player as the backup. McCarthy has been the more dangerous hitter, while Thomas is considered the better glove. Among the potential replacements are Blaze Alexander, Jorge Barrosa and Tim Tawa. Jordan Lawlar, who is blocked at shortstop by Geraldo Perdomo and didn't handle third base well during a September cameo in 2025, has played a handful of games in center field during winter ball and is also an option.

According to sources, Thomas or Jake McCarthy will likely be traded during the offseason, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

The Diamondbacks haven't determined which player will stay or go, but there are cost savings to be had. Thomas is considered the better defender while McCarthy has been more productive with a bat in hand, but neither has taken hold of the everyday job in center field. Potential replacements include Blaze Alexander, Jorge Barrosa and Tim Tawa. Jordan Lawlar, who has played a handful of games in center field during winter ball, is also an option.

Helsley has received inquiries from teams about transitioning to the rotation, but he is more comfortable in a closer's role, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Roughly 15 teams have contacted the free agent righty, per the report, and the Tigers view Helsley as a potential starting pitcher. He is considering adding a two-seamer or changeup to his arsenal in 2026 to be less predictable, and another pitch would aid him in a move to the rotation, but Helsley has been a reliever for the last six years. "I know what I'm capable of as a reliever," Helsley said. "I think I still have a lot to give and can get even better. I've shown what I can do as a closer when I'm in that role. It's a really fun time to be in the game. It's the most important three outs of the game, but I still think I'm capable and able to be a starter."

Walker said earlier this week that he "found something" with his swing while working at Driveline Baseball in October that was "real exciting," Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Walker's assessment at Driveline determined that his back hip was collapsing on his swing, which caused him to drift forward and sap him of his power. He was put through drills with resistance bands and swing training that help him keep his hip back, and Walker said he feels like "I can crush anything they throw at me." In addition to his work at Driveline, Walker has also been given meal-prep and nutrition plans and gone through a strength and agility training plan given to him at Cressey Sports Performance, which focuses on flexibility. After slashing just .211/.270/.324 over the last two seasons and spending time in the minors both years to work on his swing, Walker knows he needs to show real progress in 2026, and it seems he's putting in the work to help him reach that goal. The rebuilding Cardinals plan to give the 23-year-old regular playing time in right field in 2026.

The Mariners re-signed Lawrence to a minor-league contract Thursday, Aram Leighton of JustBaseball.com reports.

Lawrence appeared in six games between the Blue Jays and Mariners last season, holding a 4.08 ERA and 7:1 K:BB over 17.2 frames. The 38-year-old right-hander will likely begin the 2026 season at Triple-A Tacoma as swingman depth.

The Giants signed Hentges (shoulder/knee) to a one-year, $1.4 million contract Thursday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Non-tendered by the Guardians last week, Hentges missed the entire 2025 season while recovering from left shoulder surgery and also underwent arthroscopic right knee surgery in September. The expectation is that he will be ready for spring training. Hentges could be a weapon for the Giants if he can regain his pre-surgery form, as he held a 2.93 ERA and 155:42 K:BB over 138 regular-season innings from 2022-to-2024 after being moved to a relief role.