MLB Player News

The Twins exercised Alcala's $1.5 million club option for 2025, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Alcala spent some time in the minors in 2024 but pitched well over 58.1 innings with the Twins, posting a 3.24 ERA and 58:20 K:BB over 58.1 frames. He'll be used in middle relief in 2025.

The White Sox claimed Murfee (elbow) off waivers from the Astros on Monday.

Murfee had Tommy John surgery in July of 2023 and was pulled off his rehab assignment in 2024 after just one appearance due to elbow soreness, although he was facing hitters again by the end of the season. The 30-year-old posted a 2.70 ERA and 92:28 K:BB over 83.1 innings with the Mariners from 2022-23, so it could be a sneaky waiver claim by the White Sox if Murfee can stay healthy.

The Twins outrighted Winder to Triple-A St. Paul on Monday, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Winder, 28, spent the bulk of the 2024 season at St. Paul posting a 6.15 ERA but a 47:13 K:BB over 41 innings. He will remain in the organization as bullpen depth.

The Twins outrighted Duarte (elbow) to Triple-A St. Paul on Monday, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Duarte underwent UCL revision surgery in May and will be sidelined at least until midseason. He'll remain in the Twins' organization while rehabbing.

The Twins outrighted Dobnak to Triple-A St. Paul on Monday, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

It's not the first time Dobnak has been outrighted, so he has the option to elect free agency. If he doesn't he'll represent rotation depth at St. Paul, where he held a 4.25 ERA and 1.45 WHIP with 134 strikeouts over 133.1 innings in 2024.

The Twins outrighted Blewett to Triple-A St. Paul on Monday, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

He's been outrighted before, so Blewett could elect free agency if he wants. The reliever made 12 appearances for the Twins in 2024, posting a 1.77 ERA and 18:8 K:BB over 20.1 frames.

The Rays signed Waguespack to a one-year, $1.3 million contract extension with a $1.5 million club option for 2026 on Monday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Waguespack, 31, missed much of the 2024 season with a shoulder injury, but during his time at Triple-A Durham he had a 32:5 K:BB over 22 innings. The right-hander finished the season healthy and should compete for an Opening Day roster spot, perhaps in a swingman role.

The Athletics claimed Maldonado off waivers from the Marlins on Monday.

Maldonado struggled during his time in the majors with the Marlins in 2024, posting a 5.68 ERA and 11:7 K:BB over 19 innings. However, he boasts a 32.6 percent strikeout rate in the minors and is under team control for multiple seasons, so it could be a shrewd waiver claim by the Athletics.

The Athletics claimed Sterner off waivers from the Rays on Monday.

Sterner, 28, got a cup of coffee with the Rays this season, allowing two runs (one earned) with a 4:1 K:BB over four frames. He collected a 3.28 ERA and 60:17 K:BB across 46.2 innings in 2024 at Triple-A Durham. Sterner will compete for a role in the Athletics' bullpen in 2025.

The Orioles claimed Ward off waivers from the Nationals on Monday, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Ward, who turns 28 in January, spent all of this season at Triple-A Rochester, posting a 5.64 ERA and 107:94 K:BB over 119.2 innings. He will likely begin 2025 as rotation depth at Triple-A Norfolk.