MLB Player News

The Reds extended a one-year, $21.05 million qualifying offer to Martinez on Monday, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Wittenmyer hears that, before the offer was extended, the two sides engaged in talks regarding a multi-year extension "without gaining much traction." Martinez declined a $12 million player option last week after posting a 3.10 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 116:18 K:BB over 142.1 innings in 2024. He could surely get more in total dollars on the open market, but locking in a $21.05 million salary for 2025 might be tempting for Martinez. If he rejects it, the Reds would receive a draft pick if the righty signs elsewhere.

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.

Kuhnel elected free agency Monday.

He cleared waivers after being scrubbed from the Rays' 40-man roster but will test out free agency rather than accepting an outright assignment. Kuhnel holds a career 5.86 ERA and 76:24 K:BB over 93.2 innings covering parts of five seasons at the big-league level.

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.

Bowman elected free agency Monday, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Bowman cleared waivers after being removed from the Orioles' 40-man roster but has opted for free agency rather than accepting an outright assignment. The 33-year-old pitched for four different teams at the major-league level in 2024, collecting a 4.40 ERA and 24:13 K:BB over 30.2 frames.