MLB Player News

The Phillies hope Painter will be part of their Opening Day rotation, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Cristopher Sanchez, Jesus Luzardo and Aaron Nola are locked into the Opening Day rotation, but there's a good chance the Phillies will have two open spots if Zack Wheeler (shoulder) isn't quite ready. Taijuan Walker and Painter are considered the favorites to fill those last two slots. Painter didn't have great results in 2025 in his first full season back from Tommy John surgery, holding a 5.26 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 123:47 K:BB over 118 innings covering 26 starts between Single-A Clearwater and Triple-A Lehigh Valley. However, the top prospect's stuff was intact, and the fact that he was able to get to nearly 120 innings was encouraging. Painter was added to the 40-man roster this offseason, and while he will have to pitch well in spring training, he stands a good chance of heading north with the big club.

The Mariners and Miller avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.4375 million contract Tuesday. The deal includes a $6.075 million club option for 2027.

The two sides were unable to come to an agreement prior to arbitration figures being exchanged earlier this month, but they've now reached a deal to avoid a hearing. Miller posted a 5.68 ERA and 74:34 K:BB over 90.1 regular-season innings in 2025 and missed time with elbow issues on two occasions. The righty returned to pitch down the stretch of the regular season and playoffs, collecting a 2.51 ERA and 9:5 K:BB over 14.1 frames covering three postseason starts. Miller appears poised to enter spring training with a clean bill of health.

The Nationals designated Lara for assignment Tuesday.

The move frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for Mickey Gasper, who was claimed off waivers. Lara had a rough 2025 season, holding an 8.79 ERA and 10:8 K:BB over 14.1 innings with the Nationals and an 8.92 ERA and 26:22 K:BB across 36.1 frames with Triple-A Rochester. The 23-year-old stands a good chance of passing through waivers unclaimed and remaining in the organization.

The Marlins designated Bido for assignment Tuesday.

The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Bradley Blalock. Bido has already been in four organizations this offseason and could make it a fifth if he gets claimed on waivers again. He held a 5.87 ERA and 18.7 percent strikeout rate in 2025 with the Athletics.

Cavalli agreed to a one-year contract with the Nationals on Sunday that includes a club option for 2027, Spencer Nusbaum of The Washington Post reports.

The two sides were unable to come to an agreement ahead of last week's arbitration deadline, but they continued to negotiate and came to terms on what could end up being a multi-year pact. The exact salary figure has yet to be reported, but it seems likely to fall between $825,000 and $900,000, which were the arbitration figures submitted by the two camps. Cavalli made 10 starts for the Nationals in 2025 and posted a 4.25 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 40:15 K:BB across 48.2 innings.

The Marlins claimed Bido off waivers from the Rays on Friday, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.

It's the fourth organization this offseason for Bido, who posted a 5.87 ERA and 18.7 percent strikeout rate in 2025 with the Athletics. The right-hander held a 3.41 ERA and 24.3 percent strikeout rate in 2024 and offers the flexibility to serve as a starter or reliever. Bido could compete for a rotation spot in Miami, but a long-relief role is likelier.

The Reds traded Zulueta to the Mariners on Thursday, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.

After being DFA'd by the Reds earlier in the day, Zulueta will recapture a 40-man roster spot upon joining his new club. The 27-year-old righty allowed five earned runs in just 7.1 regular-season innings with the Reds during 2025 but finished with a 3.28 ERA and 1.15 WHIP through 60.1 frames in Triple-A. He's likely ticketed to begin the 2026 campaign at Triple-A Tacoma.

McGough signed a two-year minor-league contract with the Mets on Thursday, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

McGough made seven appearances (one start) with the White Sox's Triple-A affiliate during 2025, posting a 9.00 ERA and 2.20 WHIP over 15 innings before announcing his retirement in May. Now committed to playing again, the 27-year-old will look to get back on track with the Mets and likely begin the season at Triple-A Syracuse.

The Orioles claimed Suarez off waivers from Atlanta on Thursday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Suarez made the most of his limited big-league opportunities in 2025, turning in a 1.86 ERA and 1.29 WHIP across 19.1 innings spanning seven appearances (one start) for Atlanta. The 28-year-old lefty doesn't have any minor-league options remaining, so he will have to break spring camp with the Orioles -- likely as a long reliever -- to keep his spot on the 40-man roster.

The Reds designated Zulueta for assignment Thursday.

The move frees up a 40-man roster spot for the addition of Pierce Johnson, whose signing was made official Thursday. Zulueta has made 19 relief appearances over the last two seasons with the Reds, collecting a 5.32 ERA and 25:11 K:BB across 23.2 frames. The righty will turn 28 next week and stands a good chance of passing through waivers unclaimed.