Jax, Garrett Cleavinger and Edwin Uceta are expected to be part of a closer-by-committee for the Rays in 2026, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

There's been some talk of Jax potentially stretching out to join the Rays' rotation, but the current plan is to leave the 31-year-old in the bullpen. Acquired from the Twins at the trade deadline, Jax had an elevated 4.23 ERA in 2025, but a 2.51 FIP and 35 percent strikeout rate were more indicative of how he pitched. Mason Montgomery, Bryan Baker, Hunter Bigge, Steven Wilson and Manuel Rodriguez (elbow) could also work their way into high-leverage work, but the tentative plan seems to be for Jax, Cleavinger and Uceta to share the closer role.

Uceta, Garrett Cleavinger and Griffin Jax are expected to be part of a closer-by-committee for the Rays next season, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Pete Fairbanks easily paced the Rays with 27 saves in 2025, but he is a free agent after the team declined his $11 million option. That leaves a vacancy in the ninth inning, and it seems the Rays plan to fill that void with multiple arms. Uceta finished with a 3.79 ERA in 2025, but he had a 32.1 percent strikeout rate and boasts a 33.3 percent strikeout rate in his two seasons with Tampa Bay.

Cleavinger, Griffin Jax and Edwin Uceta are expected to be part of a closer-by-committee for the Rays in 2026, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The Rays elected to decline Pete Fairbanks' $11 million option, and the plan for now is to fill that ninth-inning vacancy with multiple players. Cleavinger had the best season of his career in 2025, holding a 2.35 ERA and 82:18 K:BB over 61.1 innings. The lefty has neutral splits, so he should not be at a matchup disadvantage when it comes to who manager Kevin Cash chooses to deploy in save situations.

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.

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 Yankees re-signed Arias to a minor-league contract Wednesday.

Arias missed a chunk of the 2025 season due to injury, holding a 2.57 ERA and 29:15 K:BB over 21 frames during his time at Double-A Somerset. He had been non-tendered by the Yankees last week but will stick around in the organization on a new minor-league pact.

The Tigers re-signed Rainey to a minor-league contract Wednesday.

Rainey was non-tendered by the Tigers last week, but he's now back in the organization on a minor-league pact. The right-handed reliever hasn't been the same since Tommy John surgery, posting a 5.79 ERA and 55:38 K:BB over 60.2 innings over the last two seasons at the big-league level.

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.

The Yankees signed Rodriguez (elbow) to a minor-league contract Monday.

Per Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors, it's a two-year deal for Rodriguez, who is aiming to return around midseason after having Tommy John surgery this past spring. The 28-year-old reliever holds an 8.17 ERA and 33:19 K:BB over 36.1 innings covering parts of three seasons at the big-league level.