MLB Player News
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Joey Wiemer CF | SF
Giants' Joey Wiemer: DFA'd by Giants
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.
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Matt Koperniak RF | STL
Cardinals' Matt Koperniak: Booted from 40-man
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.
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Allan Winans SP | NYY
Allan Winans: Released, headed to Japan
The Yankees released Winans on Wednesday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.
Per Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com, Winans is finalizing a contract with the Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball. The right-hander has performed well in the minors (career 2.70 ERA) but hasn't figured it out at the big-league level, holding a 7.48 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 44:15 K:BB over 49.1 innings covering parts of three seasons.
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Shane McClanahan SP | TB
Rays' Shane McClanahan: Avoids arbitration with Rays
The Rays and McClanahan (triceps) avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.6 million contract Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
It's the same salary McClanahan was paid each of the last two seasons. The left-hander did not pitch at all in 2024 while recovering from Tommy John surgery and was limited to only three rehab starts in 2025 due to a nerve issue in his left triceps that eventually required surgery. The expectation is that McClanahan will be ready for the start of spring training, but he's a major health risk heading into the 2026 season.
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Justin Bruihl RP | CLE
Guardians' Justin Bruihl: Traded to Cleveland
The Guardians acquired Bruihl from the Blue Jays on Wednesday in exchange for cash considerations.
Bruihl held a 5.27 ERA and 18:7 K:BB across 13.2 frames at the major-league level during the 2025 regular season. The left-handed reliever does not have minor-league options remaining, so he should have a good chance to crack the Guardians' Opening Day bullpen.
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Jhonkensy Noel 3B | CLE
Guardians' Jhonkensy Noel: Booted from 40-man roster
The Guardians designated Noel for assignment Wednesday.
The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Justin Bruihl. Noel has slugged 19 home runs across 351 plate appearances at the major-league level, but that's come with a .193/.242/.401 batting line, 32.8 percent strikeout rate and 4.8 percent walk rate. That said, he's just 24 years, and with his power potential, Noel should interest via trade or waivers.
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Maverick Handley C | BAL
Orioles' Maverick Handley: Outrighted to Triple-A
The Orioles outrighted Handley to Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.
Handley was removed from the 40-man roster last week, but he has cleared waivers and will remain in the organization as catching depth. The 27-year-old went just 3-for-41 at the dish during his time in the majors in 2025.
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Albert Suarez SP | BAL
Orioles' Albert Suarez: Back with Orioles on NRI deal
The Orioles re-signed Suarez (forearm) to a minor-league contract Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.
Suarez was non-tendered by Baltimore last month but has made his way back into its organization. The right-hander was limited to only 11.2 innings with the big club in 2025, first due to a shoulder injury and then a flexor strain that ended his season. It's not clear what Suarez's current health status is, but he's been a useful swingman for the Orioles when available.
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Kenley Jansen RP | DET
Tigers' Kenley Jansen: POBO won't commit to closer
Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris stopped short of naming Jansen the team's closer Wednesday, saying that there are "at least three or four closer types" on the roster, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Jansen is 24 saves shy of 500 for his career and has been adamant about reaching that milestone, but it seems he was not promised the closer role in Detroit when he agreed to a one-year, $11 million contract. Harris said that who closes for the Tigers will be up to manager A.J. Hinch. While Jansen remains the favorite to see the bulk of the save opportunities, Kyle Finnegan, Will Vest and Tyler Holton could be in the mix, as well.
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Brandon Waddell RP | NYM
Mets' Brandon Waddell: Booted off 40-man roster
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.