Leahy is expected to open the 2026 season in the Cardinals' rotation, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

The trade of Sonny Gray to the Red Sox further depleted St. Louis' rotation depth, and, barring a poor showing during spring training, it sounds like Leahy will win one of the five rotation slots. Leahy threw three innings in the Cardinals' final regular season game in 2025 in what was his first-ever start at the major-league level. He did work multiple frames out of the bullpen often this season, but Leahy has not been used as a starter regularly since 2022. If he is indeed in the rotation in 2026, some workload restrictions are likely to be in place,

The Cardinals acquired Fitts and Brandon Clarke from the Red Sox on Tuesday in exchange for Sonny Gray and cash considerations, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Fitts made 14 starts and one relief appearance for the Red Sox the past two years, collecting a 3.97 ERA and 49:23 K:BB over 65.2 innings. The right-hander is under team control through 2031 and stands a good chance to open the season in the Cardinals' rotation. Fitts ended the season on the injured list with right arm neuritis, but he entered the offseason without limitations.

The Red Sox acquired Gray and cash considerations from the Cardinals on Tuesday in exchange for Brandon Clarke, Richard Fitts and a player to be named later or cash considerations, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Gray had a no-trade clause but has agreed to waive his no-trade clause in order to facilitate a deal to the Red Sox. The 36-year-old posted a 4.28 ERA (3.39 FIP) and 201:38 K:BB over 180.2 innings for St. Louis in 2025, marking the second straight year he reached the 200-strikeout plateau. Gray is owed $35 million in 2026 and has a $5 million buyout on a $30 million mutual option for 2027.

The Samsung Lions of the Korea Baseball Organization re-signed Jurado to a one-year, $1.6 million contract Tuesday, Jee-ho Yoo of the Yonhap News Agency reports.

Jurado has spent each of the last three seasons overseas and has become one of the best pitchers in the KBO, having collected a 2.60 ERA and 142:36 K:BB over 197.1 innings for the Lions in 2025. The 29-year-old last saw action at the big-league level in 2020.

The Blue Jays signed Castro to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training, Ari Alexander of WHDH 7News in Boston reports.

Castro spent the 2025 campaign at Triple-A Lehigh Valley in the Phillies organization, slashing .235/.324/.421with 19 homers and 18 steals over 133 contests. The 26-year-old utility infielder last appeared in the majors in 2023 and is likely to begin next season at Triple-A Buffalo.

Hader (shoulder) stated Monday that he feels back at full strength after completing his rehab program a few weeks ago, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Hader's 2025 season came to an early end after he was diagnosed with a left shoulder strain, but he's feeling strong after finishing up his rehab. The lefty noted Monday that he thinks he'll be able to throw as he normally would leading up to spring training. "It should be normal," said Hader. "Obviously, intensity gets up and we'll see how that goes and how I'm recovering, bouncing back from that. But as of now, everything is status quo, back to normal."

Krook agreed to a minor-league contract with the Athletics on Saturday.

Krook elected free agency earlier in the month after being sent outright to Cleveland's Triple-A affiliate, and he's since decided to return to the A's. He made three appearances for the Athletics during the 2025 season, surrendering two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out three over 3.1 innings.

Robberse (elbow) signed a minor-league contract with the Cardinals on Monday, which includes an invitation to spring training, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Robberse was non-tendered by St. Louis on Friday, but the club has since elected to bring him back on a minor-league deal. He's currently rehabbing from Tommy John surgery and is expected to miss the first few months of the 2026 campaign.

The Reds re-signed Spiers (elbow) to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training Monday.

Spiers was non-tendered by Cincinnati last week, but he'll remain in the organization on a minor-league pact. The right-hander is expected to miss most, if not all, of the 2026 season after having Tommy John surgery in late July, so it's likely a two-year minor-league contract.

The Cardinals re-signed Pozo to a one-year contract Monday.

Pozo was non-tendered by St. Louis last week but is now back in the organization just a few days later on a split contract. The Cardinals already have Ivan Herrera, Jimmy Crooks and Pedro Pages competing for reps at catcher on the major-league roster, but Pozo will also factor into the mix. He slashed .231/.262/.375 with five home runs in 67 games for the Cardinals in 2025.