MLB Player News

The Nationals and Irvin avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.8 million contract Thursday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Irvin finished the 2025 campaign with a 5.70 ERA while serving up a major-league high 38 home runs. The right-hander's durability has been his biggest asset to this point, as he's made 33 starts in consecutive seasons. Irvin does not appear locked into a rotation spot in 2026, though his chances of nabbing one would increase if the Nationals trade MacKenzie Gore.

The Cardinals and Burleson avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.3 million contract Thursday, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Burleson receives a well-earned raise in what was his first year of arbitration eligibility. The 27-year-old has made a steady progression offensively for the Cardinals, finishing the 2025 campaign with a .290/.343/.459 batting line and 18 home runs. Burleson is slated to take over as the everyday first baseman in 2026 after spending most of his first four seasons playing the outfield.

The Phillies and Duran avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $7.5 million contract Thursday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Duran notched a career-high 32 saves in 2025, posting a 2.06 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 80:19 K:BB over 70 regular-season innings between the Twins and Phillies. The hard-throwing reliever should be one of the top closers in fantasy baseball again in 2026.

The Phillies and Bohm avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $10.2 million contract Thursday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

It's a nice raise for Bohm, who had been eligible for salary arbitration for a final time. The 29-year-old slashed .287/.331/.409 and thumped 11 homers over 120 regular-season contests for the Phillies in 2025. Bohm is slated to hit the free-agent market next winter.

The Mets and Alvarez (thumb) avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.4 million contract Thursday, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.

Alvarez had been arbitration-eligible for the first time as a Super 2 qualifier following a season that saw him put up a .787 OPS with 11 home runs over 76 tilts. The 24-year-old was scheduled to have surgery to repair a torn UCL in his right thumb shortly after the season, but he's expected to be ready to go for spring training.

The Reds and Benson avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.725 million contract Thursday, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Benson had been arbitration-eligible for the first time. The 27-year-old slashed .226/.273/.435 with 12 long balls over 90 contests for the Reds in 2025. He could open the 2026 season as the Reds' left fielder against right-handed pitching, though he will have competition for playing time.

The Reds and Friedl avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.8 million contract Thursday, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Friedl receives a nice pay bump in his first year of arbitration eligibility. The 30-year-old slashed .261/.364/.378 with 14 home runs and 12 stolen bases in 2025 and is slated again to open up the 2026 campaign as the Reds' primary center fielder.

The Cardinals and Donovan avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $5.8 million contract Thursday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Donovan finished the 2025 season with a .287/.353/.422 batting line, 10 home runs and 32 doubles over 118 contests. He's a strong candidate to be traded before Opening Day, but if that doesn't happen, Donovan will open 2026 as the Cardinals' primary second baseman. He underwent abdominal surgery in October but is fully recovered.

The Nationals and Gore avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $5.6 million contract Thursday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Gore concluded the 2025 campaign with a 4.17 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 185:64 K:BB over 159.2 innings covering 30 starts. The left-hander's name has come up often in trade rumors this offseason, and he will be eligible for salary arbitration for a final time next winter.

Atlanta designated Brujan for assignment Thursday.

The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for Ken Waldichuk, who was claimed off waivers. Brujan has a lackluster .199/.267/.276 career batting line across parts of five big-league seasons, but he could draw interest on waivers due to his defensive versatility.