MLB Player News

Houck (elbow) avoided arbitration with the Red Sox by signing a one-year, $4.15 million contract Thursday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Houck never found his footing on the mound in 2025, putting up an 8.04 ERA and 1.69 WHIP over 43.2 innings before elbow trouble ended his season in May. He underwent hybrid UCL repair surgery in mid-August to address the issue and is aiming to return around the end of the 2026 season, though he may have to wait until 2027 to rejoin Boston's rotation.

Oviedo signed a one-year, $1.55 million contract with the Red Sox on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Ari Alexander of 7 News Boston reports.

A lat strain prevented Oviedo from making his first appearance of 2025 until August, at which point he turned in a 3.57 ERA and 1.21 WHIP over 40.1 innings in nine starts with the Pirates. After being traded to Boston in December, the 27-year-old will take in a $700,000 raise from his new club and look to win a spot in the Sox's rotation during spring training.

Henderson agreed to a one-year, $8.5 million contract with the Orioles on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

It's a massive raise for Henderson in his first year of arbitration eligibility, which is hardly a surprise given that he's been one of the most productive shortstops in baseball since debuting in 2022. The 24-year-old's production dropped a bit in 2025, however, but he still finished with 17 homers, 30 steals, 68 RBI, 85 runs and a .787 OPS in 154 contests.

Langeliers signed a one-year, $5.25 million contract with the Athletics on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Langeliers emerged as one of the top bats in the Athletics' lineup in 2025 while slashing .277/.325/.536 with 31 homers, 72 RBI, 73 runs scored and seven steals across 123 contests. He'll take a $4.48 million raise into his fifth MLB season as a result while maintaining a firm grip on the starting catcher job in Sacramento.

Arozarena agreed to a one-year, $15.65 million contract with the Mariners on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Arozarena is receiving a raise of more than $5 million for his final year of arbitration eligibility in 2026. The 30-year-old outfielder posted a .238/.334/.426 slash line with 27 homers, 31 stolen bases, 76 RBI and 95 runs in 160 games during the 2025 regular season.

Ward agreed to a one-year, $12.175 million contract with the Orioles on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

The 32-year-old will receive a raise of over $4 million in his final year of arbitration eligibility after being traded from the Angels to the Orioles in November. Ward batted just .228 across 157 games in 2025 but set career highs with 36 home runs, 103 RBI and 86 runs.

Jax agreed to a one-year, $3.565 million contract with the Rays on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Jax receives a decent raise in his second year of arbitration eligibility after posting a 4.23 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 99:21 K:BB over 66 innings between the Rays and Twins last season. The right-hander is expected to begin 2026 as part of Tampa Bay's closer committee, along with Garrett Cleavinger and Edwin Uceta.

Sousa (elbow) signed a one-year, $910,000 contract with the Astros on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Sousa emerged as a key contributor in the Astros' bullpen in 2025, posting a 2.84 ERA and 1.03 WHIP over 50.2 innings before elbow inflammation put an early end to his season. The lefty's performance will earn him a $150,000 raise during his first year of arbitration eligibility, and he figures to reprise his role as a setup man for closer Josh Hader in 2026.

Massey agreed to a one-year, $1.57 million contract with the Royals on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Ari Alexander of 7 News Boston reports.

It's the first season of arbitration eligibility for Massey, who missed nearly three months during the 2025 season due to wrist, ankle and back issues. The 27-year-old struggled when available last year with a .244/.268/.313 slash line in 77 games, which was a significant decline from his .743 OPS during the 2024 regular season.

Cleavinger agreed to a one-year, $2.4 million contract with the Rays on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The left-hander will double his salary in his second year of arbitration eligibility after tallying two saves and 22 holds with a 2.35 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 81:18 K:BB over 61.1 innings last season. Cleavinger is expected to begin 2026 as part of Tampa Bay's closer committee, with Griffin Jax and Edwin Uceta also in the mix.