MLB Player News

The Orioles re-signed Suarez (forearm) to a minor-league contract Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

Suarez was non-tendered by Baltimore last month but has made his way back into its organization. The right-hander was limited to only 11.2 innings with the big club in 2025, first due to a shoulder injury and then a flexor strain that ended his season. It's not clear what Suarez's current health status is, but he's been a useful swingman for the Orioles when available.

The Phillies signed Keller to a two-year, $22 million contract Wednesday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Keller was a full-time reliever for the first time in 2025 with the Cubs and excelled, collecting a 2.07 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 75:22 K:BB over 69.2 regular-season innings. The Phillies intend to keep him in a bullpen role, though his past starting experience allows for the possibility that he could make some starts, if needed. Keller is in line to help set up for closer Jhoan Duran.

Rays president of baseball operations Erik Neander said Tuesday that Matz will be given a chance to open the season in the rotation, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Neander said that Matz -- whose two-year, $15 million contract became official Tuesday -- has "a real desire" to be a starting pitcher again, and the "the investment was made with that in mind." All but two of Matz's 53 regular-season appearances in 2025 came out of the bullpen, but the 34-year-old has predominantly been a starter in his career. He posted a 3.05 ERA and 59:11 K:BB over 76.2 regular-season frames between the Cardinals and Red Sox this past season.

The Giants signed Houser to a two-year, $22 million contract with a club option for 2028 on Tuesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Houser showed more velocity and put together a bounce-back season in 2025, collecting a 3.31 ERA and 92:38 K:BB over 125 innings covering 21 starts between the White Sox and Rays. The veteran right-hander will turn 33 in February and lands in a favorable home environment in Oracle Park, but Houser's fantasy value will remain limited because of a lack of strikeouts.

Rodon (elbow) is in the second week of his throwing program, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Working his way back from surgery in mid-October to remove loose bodies and shave down a bone spur in his left elbow, Rodon most recently made 30 throws from 60-75 feet. The southpaw anticipates making some Grapefruit League starts, but he will begin the season on the injured list and isn't expected to make his regular-season debut for the Yankees until late April or early May.

Bido was designated for assignment by Atlanta on Monday.

Bido will lose out on his 40-man roster spot after the club agreed to a one-year deal with Ha-Seong Kim. Bido was claimed off waivers by Atlanta just over a week ago and will now head back to the waiver wire following Monday's transaction.

The Nationals acquired Perales from the Red Sox on Monday in exchange for Jake Bennett, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

It's a prospect-for-prospect trade. Perales missed a large chunk of 2024 and nearly all of 2025 while recovering from Tommy John surgery, but he's wowed with his stuff since returning, regularly reaching triple digits with his fastball. The 22-year-old has thrown a total of 9.2 innings beyond A-ball and has a career 12.3 percent walk rate in the minors, but Perales' upside is huge.

Bennett was traded from the Nationals to the Red Sox on Monday in exchange for Luis Perales, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Bennett pitched well during the 2025 season in his first year back since Tommy John surgery, posting a 2.56 ERA and 1.13 WHIP with 33 strikeouts across 45.2 innings at Double-A. He's yet to pitch above the Double-A level, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see him begin the 2026 campaign in Portland now that he's joined Boston's farm system. Chief baseball officer for the Red Sox, Craig Breslow, is clearly high on the southpaw. "We feel like Bennett is a high probability starter that excels in some things that are hard to teach," said Breslow, per Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com. "Fastball playability driven by above average extension and strike throwing ability. His whiff rates and ability to manage hard contact have us confident in his ability to be a major league starter."

The Blue Jays signed Plassmeyer to a minor-league contract Dec. 6.

Plassmeyer spent all of the 2025 season at Triple-A Round Rock in the Rangers organization, posting a 4.43 ERA and 99:34 K:BB over 105.2 innings while splitting time between the rotation and bullpen. It's unclear what role the Blue Jays have in mind for the southpaw, but he's likely headed to Triple-A Buffalo to begin the 2026 season.

Darvish (elbow) said Monday that he's unsure whether he will continue his baseball career after completing rehab for his November UCL repair with an internal brace and flexor tendon surgery, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

Darvish will miss the entire 2026 season and will be 40 years old heading into the 2027 campaign. He's owed $30 million between 2027 and 2028, so while he has financial incentive to continue pitching, the right-hander is currently focused on his rehab and will make a decision about his playing career at a later date. Darvish posted a 5.38 ERA and 68:19 K:BB over 72 regular-season innings covering 15 starts for the Padres in 2025.