MLB Player News

The Athletics released Shuster Dec. 10.

Shuster had been removed from the 40-man roster in November, and now he's out of the organization altogether. A first-round pick in 2020, Shuster has failed to figure things out at the major-league level, posting a 5.27 ERA and 98:64 K:BB over 141.2 innings.

Wendzel signed a minor-league contract with the Pirates on Monday, which includes an invitation to spring training, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Wendzel will receive a chance to win a spot on the Opening Day roster after putting pen to paper on a deal with Pittsburgh. He spent the majority of his time at Triple-A Louisville a season ago, hitting .251 with 13 home runs, 53 RBI, one stolen base and 50 runs scored in 94 games. Wendzel's last big-league appearance dates back to 2024 with the Rangers, and he struggled to a .128 average in 27 outings.

Sanchez signed a minor-league contract with the Angels on Dec. 8.

Sanchez will remain with the Angels after slashing .246/.357/.329 with four home runs, 36 RBI, nine stolen bases and 61 runs scored over 120 games at Triple-A Salt Lake in 2025. He's played exclusively at Triple-A for the least three seasons, and his last big-league appearance dates back to the 2022 campaign with the Red Sox.

Bido was designated for assignment by Atlanta on Monday.

Bido will lose out on his 40-man roster spot after the club agreed to a one-year deal with Ha-Seong Kim. Bido was claimed off waivers by Atlanta just over a week ago and will now head back to the waiver wire following Monday's transaction.

Kim signed a one-year, $20 million contract with Atlanta on Monday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Kim finished out the 2025 campaign with Atlanta after being claimed off waivers, and he did enough to earn himself another look with the club in 2026. He slashed .253/.316/.368 with three home runs, 12 RBI and 14 runs scored in 24 games down the stretch of the 2025 season after being dumped by the Rays. Kim figures to see the bulk of his playing time at shortstop heading into the upcoming season, though he can also manage at the keystone if necessary. Mauricio Dubon is expected to be deployed as a true utility man following the addition of Kim.

The Nationals acquired Perales from the Red Sox on Monday in exchange for Jake Bennett, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

It's a prospect-for-prospect trade. Perales missed a large chunk of 2024 and nearly all of 2025 while recovering from Tommy John surgery, but he's wowed with his stuff since returning, regularly reaching triple digits with his fastball. The 22-year-old has thrown a total of 9.2 innings beyond A-ball and has a career 12.3 percent walk rate in the minors, but Perales' upside is huge.

Bennett was traded from the Nationals to the Red Sox on Monday in exchange for Luis Perales, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Bennett pitched well during the 2025 season in his first year back since Tommy John surgery, posting a 2.56 ERA and 1.13 WHIP with 33 strikeouts across 45.2 innings at Double-A. He's yet to pitch above the Double-A level, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see him begin the 2026 campaign in Portland now that he's joined Boston's farm system. Chief baseball officer for the Red Sox, Craig Breslow, is clearly high on the southpaw. "We feel like Bennett is a high probability starter that excels in some things that are hard to teach," said Breslow, per Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com. "Fastball playability driven by above average extension and strike throwing ability. His whiff rates and ability to manage hard contact have us confident in his ability to be a major league starter."

The Blue Jays designated Bruihl for assignment Monday.

The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Tyler Rogers, whose signing was officially announced Monday. Bruihl made 15 appearances out of Toronto's bullpen in 2025, collecting a 5.27 ERA and 18:7 K:BB across 13.2 frames. The southpaw has been outrighted previously, so he would have to approve an outright assignment by the Blue Jays.

The Blue Jays signed Plassmeyer to a minor-league contract Dec. 6.

Plassmeyer spent all of the 2025 season at Triple-A Round Rock in the Rangers organization, posting a 4.43 ERA and 99:34 K:BB over 105.2 innings while splitting time between the rotation and bullpen. It's unclear what role the Blue Jays have in mind for the southpaw, but he's likely headed to Triple-A Buffalo to begin the 2026 season.

Darvish (elbow) said Monday that he's unsure whether he will continue his baseball career after completing rehab for his November UCL repair with an internal brace and flexor tendon surgery, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

Darvish will miss the entire 2026 season and will be 40 years old heading into the 2027 campaign. He's owed $30 million between 2027 and 2028, so while he has financial incentive to continue pitching, the right-hander is currently focused on his rehab and will make a decision about his playing career at a later date. Darvish posted a 5.38 ERA and 68:19 K:BB over 72 regular-season innings covering 15 starts for the Padres in 2025.