MLB Player News
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Alex Vesia RP | LAD
Dodgers' Alex Vesia: Dodgers pick up team option
The Dodgers exercised Vesia's (personal) $3.55 milion club option for 2026 on Thursday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
With a 3.02 ERA and 0.99 WHIP across 59.2 regular-season innings, Vesia played a crucial part in stabilizing a Dodgers bullpen that often struggled in 2025. He also gave up two earned runs over 4.2 innings in the postseason, but personal matters prevented him from pitching during the World Series. The left-hander is expected to take on a high-leverage role again in 2026.
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Joel Payamps RP | ATL
Braves' Joel Payamps: Outrighted to Triple-A
Atlanta outrighted Payamps to Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday.
Payamps has the ability to decline the outright assignment and elect free agency, which he seems likely to do. The 31-year-old reliever held a 6.84 ERA over 30 appearances between Milwaukee and Atlanta in 2025, but a 2.78 ERA over 137 regular-season appearances for the Brewers across 2023 and 2024 should be enough for a team to take a flier on the righty.
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Austin Cox RP | ATL
Braves' Austin Cox: Sent outright to Triple-A
Atlanta outrighted Cox to Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday.
Cox made 13 appearances for Atlanta in 2025, posting an 8.86 ERA and 22:7 K:BB over 21.1 innings. The lefty reliever is no longer on the 40-man roster but remains in the organization.
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Garrett Acton RP | TB
Rockies' Garrett Acton: Claimed by Rockies
The Rockies claimed Acton off waivers from the Rays on Thursday.
Acton posted a 3.68 ERA and 1.13 WHIP across 58.2 innings at Triple-A Durham in 2025, which is evidently enough for the Rockies to feel comfortable adding him to a very weak pitching staff. Colorado's lack of depth gives the 27-year-old a decent chance to break spring training with the big club; otherwise, he'll report to Triple-A Albuquerque.
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Casey Kelly RP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Casey Kelly: Outrighted to Triple-A
Kelly cleared waivers Wednesday and was sent outright to Triple-A Reno, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
Kelly spent the vast majority of the 2025 season at Reno, where he finished with a 5.63 ERA and 1.65 WHIP through 115 innings. Now that the 36-year-old righty no longer owns a spot on Arizona's 40-man roster, he may elect free agency and look elsewhere for his next opportunity.
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Kyle Nelson RP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Kyle Nelson: Kicked off 40-man
Nelson cleared waivers Wednesday and was outrighted to Triple-A Reno, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
Nelson appeared in just three games for the D-backs in 2025, giving up two earned runs over two innings. He didn't find much success in the minor leagues either, posting an 8.83 ERA and 1.64 WHIP across 34.2 frames. His poor performance will now cost him his roster spot as the offseason begins, and it's unknown whether he will exercise his right to elect free agency.
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John Curtiss RP | ARI
Diamondbacks' John Curtiss: Outrighted to Reno
Curtiss cleared waivers Wednesday and was sent outright to Triple-A Reno, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
Curtiss finished the 2025 campaign with a 3.93 ERA and 0.93 WHIP alongside a 24:5 K:BB across 36.2 innings. However, with the Diamondbacks aiming to clear roster space before free agency begins, the 32-year-old righty will lose his place on the 40-man roster. He will have the option to elect free agency.
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Jose Alvarado RP | PHI
Phillies' Jose Alvarado: Club option exercised
The Phillies exercised Alvarado's (forearm) club option Wednesday.
As expected, the Phillies have opted to pick up the $9.5 million club option on Alvarado for the 2026 season. He ended the 2025 campaign on the 15-day injured list due to a left forearm strain, and he missed 80 games earlier in the season due to a PED suspension. Across the 28 appearances he made in 2025, Alvarado posted a 3.81 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and seven saves over 26 innings. He'll have the offseason to heal from his injury and will aim to be available for the start of spring training.
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Freddy Tarnok RP | MIA
Marlins' Freddy Tarnok: Scrubbed from 40-man roster
The Marlins outrighted Tarnok to Triple-A Jacksonville on Wednesday.
Tarnok has been outrighted previously, so he has the ability to reject Wednesday's outright assignment and become a free agent. The right-hander pitched well during his limited chances in relief with the Marlins in 2025, allowing two runs on just one hit and a 10:4 K:BB over 7.1 innings.