MLB Player News

The Phillies acquired Bowlan from the Royals on Friday in exchange for Matt Strahm, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Bowlan had a mini-breakout in 2025 in his first full season as a reliever, posting a 3.86 ERA and 46:17 K:BB over 44.1 innings with the Royals. The 29-year-old righty had significant splits, as he held right-handed bats to a .182/.255/.250 batting line but was torched by lefties to the tune of a .288/.358/.575 line. Bowlan is not yet eligible for salary arbitration and will be under team control through 2031.

King agreed to a one-year contract with the Padres on Thursday that includes player options for 2027 and 2028, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

King had two excellent seasons with the Padres in 2024 and 2025 and passed on a qualifying offer with the team earlier in the offseason, but he'll ultimately remain with San Diego. According to Feinsand, King will make $17 million in 2025 and will net at least another $5 million in the form of a buyout for the 2027 option. His player options for 2027 and 2028 are worth $28 million and $30 million, respectively. Assuming King can avoid any lingering issues with his shoulder -- which cost him much of the 2025 season -- he should headline the Padres' rotation in 2026.

Austin signed a one-year, major-league contract with the Cubs on Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Since taking his last MLB at-bat in 2019, Austin has spent the past six seasons playing in Japan for the Yokohama Bay Stars of Nippon Professional Baseball. After posting a .945 OPS during his time overseas, the 34-year-old will now return stateside to join the Cubs and could work as a platoon partner with Moises Ballesteros at designated hitter.

The Diamondbacks re-signed Curtiss to a minor-league contract Tuesday.

Curtiss had chosen free agency after being booted off Arizona's 40-man roster last month, but he's now back in the organization on a new deal. The 32-year-old pitched well in 30 relief outings for the Diamondbacks in 2025, collecting a 3.93 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 24:5 K:BB over 36.2 innings. Curtiss is likely headed to Triple-A Reno to begin the 2026 season.

The Rockies signed Sullivan to a minor-league contract Thursday that includes an invitation to spring training, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Sullivan spent nearly all of the 2025 season at the Triple-A level between the Padres and Pirates organization, slashing only .207/.264/.325 in 75 contests. A career .204/.250/.291 hitter over parts of three big-league seasons, Sullivan will turn 32 in February and is likely to begin the season at Triple-A Albuquerque.

May said Thursday that he currently weighs 220 pounds after pitching the 2025 season at 198-202 pounds, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

May had surgery for an esophagus rupture in 2024, which made it difficult for him to keep weight on. His goal this offseason has been to put that weight back on, and he hopes to be up to 225 pounds by spring training. May's fastball velocity was in the 59th percentile in 2025 after it was routinely in the 90-plus percentile in previous seasons, and it's possible the weight loss had something to do with it. The 28-year-old also noted that his arm is "back to normal" after he finished the season on the injured list with right elbow neuritis. May took a one-year, "prove it" contract from the Cardinals in hopes of bouncing back and reestablishing his market next offseason.

The Marlins re-signed Navarreto to a minor-league contract Monday.

Navarreto elected free agency last month after being outrighted off the Marlins' 40-man roster, but he's found his way back into the organization. The 30-year-old got into eight games with Miami in 2025, going 4-for-14 with one home run. Navarreto is likely pegged for Triple-A Jacksonville to begin the 2026 campaign.

The Giants designated Wiemer for assignment Wednesday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

After being DFA'd by the Marlins in November and landing in San Francisco via trade, Wiemer will now go through the waiver process for the second time in as many months. His subtraction from the 40-man roster will create room for Jason Foley, who signed with the Giants on Tuesday.

The Cardinals designated Koperniak for assignment Wednesday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Koperniak will lose his 40-man roster spot in order to make room for Dustin May, who officially signed with St. Louis on Wednesday. Koperniak, 27, spent all of 2025 at Triple-A Memphis and endured his worst minor-league season yet, slashing .249/.322/.387 across 537 plate appearances.

The Mets designated Waddell for assignment Wednesday.

The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Drew Romo, who was claimed off waivers. Waddell had re-signed with the Mets last month after proving useful in a swingman role in 2025, holding a 3.45 ERA and 22:11 K:BB over 31.1 innings. If he clears waivers, Waddell would have the ability to elect free agency.