The Brewers declined Contreras' $12 million option for 2026.

Contreras will receive a $100,000 buyout instead, and he remains under team control for 2026 and 2027 as an arbitration-eligible player. The catcher slashed .260/.355/.399 with 17 home runs over 150 regular-season games for the Brewers in 2025. Contreras was scheduled to visit a hand specialist last week to determine whether he needs surgery to repair a fractured left middle finger, but there's no word on whether an operation is required. Even if he does have surgery, his availability for spring training is not expected to be in peril.

Darvish will miss the 2026 season following a right elbow UCL repair with an internal brace and flexor tendon surgery on Oct. 29.

Darvish has missed time each of the last three seasons with elbow issues, having been limited to 72 regular-season innings in 2025. It's unclear how long he's been pitching with UCL damage, but the decision was finally made to have surgery on the elbow. It's the second UCL repair for Darvish, who had Tommy John surgery in March 2015. Darvish turned 39 in August, but he intends to rehab and return to the Padres for the 2027 season.

The Mets re-signed Waddell to a one-year contract Tuesday.

Waddell held a 3.45 ERA and 22:11 K:BB over 31.1 innings for the Mets in 2025. He was used primarily as a starter this season at Triple-A Syracuse, where he posted a 5.02 ERA and 63:25 K:BB in 75.1 innings. Waddell does not have minor-league options remaining, so he would have to be passed through waivers in order to be sent to the minors if he doesn't make the Opening Day roster.

Herrera (elbow) will return to catcher next season but is not expected to do so in a full-time capacity, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Herrera was the Cardinals' everyday designated hitter during the second half, but the plan is for him to return to catcher next season. However, while catcher is slated to be his primary position, it sounds like Herrera will still see lots of playing time in the DH slot. Jimmy Crooks is the favorite to pick up starts at catcher on days Herrera serves as the DH. Herrera underwent surgery last month to remove bone spurs from his right elbow, but he is expected to be ready for the start of spring training.

Crooks could split time at catcher for the Cardinals next season with Ivan Herrera, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Herrera is slated to return to catcher in 2026 after serving as the team's primary designated hitter for the final few months of 2025. He is not expected to be used behind the plate full-time, though, leaving some reps at catcher open. Per Woo, that playing time is likelier to go to Crooks than Pedro Pages, who is a trade candidate. Crooks struggled in a cup of coffee with the Cardinals in 2025, going 6-for-45 with a 0:17 BB:K. However, the 24-year-old has been productive in the minors, having slashed .274/.337/.441 with 14 home runs last season at Triple-A Memphis.

Pages could be the odd man out at catcher for the Cardinals next season, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Pages has led the team in starts behind the plate each of the last two seasons. However, the Cardinals plan to use a combination of Ivan Herrera and Jimmy Crooks at catcher next season, leaving Pages without a clear path to playing time. The 27-year-old has minor-league options remaining, but prospect Leonardo Bernal is expected to serve as the primary catcher at Triple-A Memphis in 2026. As a result, Pages could be a trade candidate this offseason.

The Mets acquired Gerber from the Rays on Tuesday in exchange for cash considerations, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Gerber was removed from the Rays' 40-man roster Monday and is now on the move to a new organization. The 28-year-old reliever spent most of the 2025 season at Triple-A Durham, where he posted a 6.23 ERA but struck out 54 over 43.1 innings.

Montas (elbow) exercised his $17 million player option for 2026 on Tuesday.

Montas posted a 6.28 ERA in seven starts and two relief appearances in 2025 and will miss the entire 2026 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, making his option decision an easy one.

The Mets exercised Raley's $4.75 million option for 2026 on Tuesday.

Raley was sharp in the second half after making his way back from Tommy John surgery, posting a 2.45 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and 25:6 K:BB over 25.2 innings. The 37-year-old reliever will handle a high-leverage relief role for the Mets in 2026.

Colorado declined its $7 million mutual option on Estrada (hamstring) for the 2026 season Monday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Harding notes that Estrada is eligible for arbitration, so he'll remain under club control for the moment. Estrada appeared in only 39 games in 2025 due to various injuries, including a hamstring issue that forced him to be shut down for nearly the last two months of season. He slashed .253/.285/.370 with three home runs, 21 RBI, one stolen base and 14 runs scored.