MLB Player News

The Pirates designated Holderman for assignment Tuesday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

With the Pirates adding six prospects to their 40-man roster in preparation for the Rule 5 Draft, Holderman will end up as one of the casualties necessary to clear space. The 30-year-old righty wasn't quite his usual self in 2025, finishing the year with a 7.01 ERA and 1.95 WHIP across 25.2 innings after entering the season with a 3.58 ERA across his three years in the big leagues. His prior performance may draw some attention from other bullpen-needy teams browsing the waiver wire.

The Marlins selected Mack's contract from Triple-A Jacksonville on Tuedsay.

Mack is one of Miami's top prospects, so it's no surprise the organization is protecting him from the Rule 5 Draft. The 22-year-old spent most of last season at Triple-A Jacksonville and had a .786 OPS with 18 homers and seven steals in 98 games.

The Pirates selected Brannigan's (shoulder) contract from Double-A Altoona on Tuesday, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Brannigan slashed .225/.329/.358 across 237 plate appearances at Double-A Altoona in 2025 before suffering a shoulder injury in June that required season-ending surgery. The 24-year-old infielder will join Pittsburgh's 40-man roster to ensure he remains with the organization past the Rule 5 Draft in December, though he shouldn't be expected to appear in the big leagues in 2026.

The Pirates selected Valdez's contract from Double-A Altoona on Tuesday, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.

Valdez split his time between High-A and Double-A ball in 2025, slashing .284/.375/.521 with 27 homers, 87 RBI and 76 runs scored between the two levels. His impressive performance will grant him a place on Pittsburgh's 40-man roster heading into the 2026 campaign, but he's likely to begin the year at Double-A Altoona or Triple-A Indianapolis.

Spiers (elbow) was designated for assignment by the Reds on Tuesday, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

Cincinnati needed a 40-man spot for one of its young prospects, and Spiers was a likely choice to be bounced given he's expected to miss most, if not all, of 2026. The right-hander made three appearances (two starts) in the majors this past season before undergoing Tommy John surgery at the end of July. Spiers has put up a 5.69 ERA and 1.57 WHIP over 117 career innings in the majors.

The Reds selected Rodriguez's contract from Double-A Chattanooga on Tuesday, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

Acquired in a rather inconspicuous trade with the Mets in 2022, Rodriguez has emerged as a legitimate major-league prospect thanks largely to his hitting ability. He advanced to the Triple-A level this past season, and while most of his numbers fell off compared to what he was doing at Double-A Chattanooga, he still hit seven homers and stole nine bags in 53 games with Louisville. Now protected from the Rule 5 Draft, Rodriguez will have a chance to debut late in 2026.

The Nationals selected Franklin's contract from Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday.

The 25-year-old was acquired from the Cubs in the Michael Soroka trade over the summer, so it's no surprise the Nationals are protecting him from the upcoming Rule 5 Draft. Franklin spent the year at the Triple-A level between the two organizations and posted an .817 OPS with 12 homers and 19 steals in 117 games.

Woodruff (lat) accepted the one-year, $22.025 million qualifying offer from the Brewers on Tuesday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

The veteran right-hander declined his $20 million mutual option for 2026 earlier in November, but he'll return to Milwaukee for a ninth season on the qualifying offer. Woodruff spent the first three months of the 2025 campaign rehabbing from shoulder, ankle and elbow issues, but he was effective when available with a 3.20 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 83:14 K:BB across 64.2 innings. He went down with a lat strain in September and missed the final weeks of the season but is expected to be healthy for spring training.

Imanaga accepted a one-year, $22.025 million qualifying offer from the Cubs on Tuesday, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

The Cubs declined Imanaga's three-year, $57.75 million option earlier this month, but the left-hander will remain in Chicago after taking the team's qualifying offer. Imanaga held a 4.70 second-half ERA and 8.10 ERA in two postseason starts, but he boasts a 3.28 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 291:54 K:BB over 318 regular-season innings since the beginning of the 2024 campaign.

The Nationals selected Bennett's contract from Double-A Harrisburg on Tuesday.

After missing the 2024 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, Bennett held a 2.27 ERA and 64:19 K:BB over 75.1 innings covering three levels in 2025. The left-hander is now protected from next month's Rule 5 Draft.