MLB Player News

The Rangers claimed Kent off waivers from the Cardinals on Friday.

Kent came up in the minors with the Rangers before being traded to the Guardians in March 2024. He posted a 4.58 ERA and 16:8 K:BB over 17.2 innings with Cleveland in 2025 before St. Louis claimed off waivers in December and then designated him for assignment earlier this week. Kent will compete for a spot in the Texas bullpen.

The Nationals released Lao on Friday.

Lao asked for and was granted his release in order to pursue a playing opportunity in Japan. The 26-year-old collected a 4.91 ERA and 9:2 K:BB over 11 innings between the Mariners and Nationals in 2025.

Nelson and the Diamondbacks agreed to a one-year, $3 million contract to avoid arbitration Thursday, Jack Sommers of DBacks on SI.com reports.

Nelson was arbitration eligible for the first time and is set for a $2.2 million raise from last season. He posted career-best results in 2025 and is poised to be a key member of Arizona's rotation for the upcoming campaign.

Cabrera agreed to a one-year, $4.45 million contract with the Cubs on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Cabrera put together a strong 2025 campaign with Miami, finishing with an 8-7 record (26 starts) while posting a 3.53 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 150:48 K:BB across 137.2 innings. He was traded by the Marlins to the Cubs on Wednesday, and if healthy, he provides the Cubs with upside and strikeout potential out of the rotation.

Gil and the Yankees agreed to a one-year, $2.16 million contract with the Yankees on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Jack Curry of YES Network reports.

This was Gil's first year of arbitration eligibility, and he's set to nearly triple his salary from 2025. He was sidelined for much of last season due to a lat strain, though he made 11 starts across the final two months of the campaign and should have a role in the rotation to begin the 2026 season.

Sears signed a one-year contract with the Padres on Thursday to avoid arbitration.

Sears was a regular part of the Athletics' rotation before being shipped to the Padres in late July, after which point he was sent back and forth between Triple-A and the majors. He ended the 2025 regular season with a 5.04 ERA and 1.32 WHIP -- both career worsts -- across 135.2 innings, and his spot in the Padres' rotation could be shaky if he gets off to a slow start in 2026.

Miller signed a one-year, $4 million contract with the Padres on Thursday to avoid arbitration.

It's a nice raise for Miller in his first season of arbitration eligibility. The right-hander opened 2025 with the Athletics before being traded to the Padres in July, and between both teams he posted a 2.63 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, 10 holds, 22 saves (out of 26 opportunities) and a 104:28 K:BB across 61.2 regular-season innings. Miller served as more of a setup man for the Padres after being the Athletics' top closer. However, with Robert Suarez signing with Atlanta during the offseason, Miller figures to step in as San Diego's closer for the 2026 campaign.

Gilbert and the Mariners agreed to a one-year, $10.9 million contract to avoid arbitration Thursday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

This marked Gilbert's third year of arbitration eligibility, and he's secured a raise of about $3.4 million for 2026. He turned in another very strong season last year, maintaining a 3.44 ERA and 1.03 WHIP across 131 frames during the regular season.

Meyer (hip) and the Marlins agreed to a one-year contract to avoid arbitration Thursday, Isaac Azout of FishOnFirst.com reports.

Meyer has struggled with injuries throughout his big-league career and made only 12 starts in 2025. He posted a 4.73 ERA and 68:20 K:BB across 64.2 frames before being sidelined in early July by a hip issue that required surgery. Meyer figures to be ready for spring training and should have the inside track on a rotation spot to begin 2026.

Lodolo signed a one-year, $4.725 million contract with the Reds on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

The deal also includes up to $450,000 in incentives, per Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer. Lodolo spent the majority of 2025 in the Reds' rotation before being moved to the bullpen for one late-season appearance, plus Cincinnati's brief playoff run. He ended the regular season with a 9-8 record (over a career-high 28 starts) while posting a 3.33 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 156:31 K:BB across 156.2 innings. Lodolo has seen his ERA and WHIP numbers steadily improve over the past three seasons, and his 4.8 percent walk rate in 2025 ranked fourth among starters with at least 150 innings.