The White Sox selected Paez with the second pick in the Rule 5 Draft on Wednesday.

A skinny 6-foot-1 righty from the Red Sox's farm system, Paez only logged 19.1 innings at Double-A in 2025 due to a calf injury. Long known for his stingy control, Paez's walk rates have been below four percent at ever stop since the start of the 2023 season. He lacks impact stuff, but if the White Sox can coax a bit more velocity out of his 91-92 mph fastball, Paez could make it as a back-end starter. He'll likely work as a low-leverage reliever for as long as he sticks on Chicago's active roster in 2026.

Bieber dealt with right forearm fatigue toward the end of this season, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

It's not clear exactly when the issue popped up for Bieber, who was the last Blue Jays hurler to throw a pitch in Game 7 of the World Series against the Dodgers, serving up a go-ahead home run to Will Smith in the top of the 11th inning. General manager Ross Atkins said Monday that Bieber is "in a strong position" and the righty being ready for Opening Day is "a very realistic outcome." While the concern for Bieber doesn't currently seem to be high, the forearm issue and past Tommy John surgery surely weighed into the pitcher's decision to exercise a $16 million player option rather than test the open market. More should be known about Bieber's health status during spring training.

The Rockies selected Petit with the first pick in the Rule 5 Draft on Wednesday.

Petit, a 6-foot-8 righty from Detroit's farm system, split the 2025 season between Double-A and Triple-A, working primarily as a reliever. The 26-year-old logged a 2.74 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 33:10 K:BB and 51 percent groundball rate in 23 innings at Triple-A, and while he was used in relief, Petit has the stuff to start. He throws multiple mid-90s fastballs, with his four-seamer touching 98 mph, along with a nasty slider and a solid changeup. Now that he's in Colorado, there isn't much fantasy appeal, regardless of role.

Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom said Wednesday that the team has had internal conversations about whether to move Hence from a starting role to relief pitching, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The Cardinals' main focus for Hence this offseason has been on a training and strengthening program, as well as some mechanical adjustments. The hope is that those things will help the 23-year-old stay healthy, but shifting Hence's role is also on the table. Hence was limited to just eight appearances in 2025 due to a lat strain and shoulder impingement, and injuries have prevented him from ever reaching 100 innings in a minor-league season. The righty entered the offseason healthy and without limitations.

The Orioles signed Alonso to a five-year, $155 million contract Wednesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

After losing their closer earlier this week, the Mets now watch their slugging first baseman walk out the door. The $31 million average annual value is a record for a first baseman. Alonso -- who just turned 31 over the weekend -- put together one of his better seasons in 2025 with the Mets, slashing .272/.347/.524 with 38 long balls and 126 RBI. The Orioles are now overloaded with first baseman/designated hitter types and seem likely to deal from that surplus for pitching help.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that he expects Rice to play "a lot" against left-handed pitchers in 2026, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

The left-handed-hitting Rice's playing time against southpaws in 2025 was limited, though that was due in large part to Paul Goldschmidt's effectiveness versus lefties. Rice hit only .208 over 119 regular-season plate appearances against left-handers this past season, but he slugged seven home runs while boasting a .481 slugging percentage in those matchups. Heading into his age-27 season, Rice will be the Yankees' primary first baseman in 2026, and he could get an opportunity to be an everyday player.

The Twins released McCusker on Wednesday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

McCusker is expected to sign with a team in Asia, and the Twins will free up a spot on their 40-man roster ahead of the Rule 5 Draft. The 27-year-old went 5-for-29 with a 1:16 BB:K over 30 plate appearances with Minnesota in 2025.

Adam (quadriceps) is expected to be ready to throw off a mound sometime during spring training, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Adam underwent surgery in September to repair a torn left quad tendon. While it seems a stint on the injured list to begin the 2026 season is likely, Adam might not need to miss much time. The 34-year-old boasts a 1.66 ERA and 101:32 K:BB over 92 regular-season innings during his time with the Padres.

Herget will enter spring training as a starting pitcher, Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic report.

Herget was a starting pitcher in college but has not made a traditional start in his entire professional career. He did, however, record more than three outs in 31 of his 59 appearances for the Rockies in 2025. Herget was excellent out of the Rockies' bullpen last season, posting a 2.48 ERA and 81:26 K:BB over 83.1 innings.

Reynolds signed a contract with the Yokohama Bay Stars on Tuesday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Reynolds was non-tendered by San Diego after he turned in a 5.33 ERA and 1.37 WHIP over 27 regular-season innings in the majors. Rather than looking to rebound with another MLB organization, the 27-year-old righty will now take his talents to Japan in an effort to give new life to his career.