MLB Player News

The Rockies released Contreras on Wednesday.

It's the first official transaction by new president of baseball operations Paul DePodesta. Contreras was a late-season waiver claim of the Rockies, allowing eight runs over 8.1 innings before his season ended in late September due to a hand contusion.

General manager Chris Getz said Wednesday that Taylor will likely work as a multi-inning reliever in 2026, Kyle Williams of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Taylor posted a 4.91 ERA and 1.42 WHIP across 36.2 innings with the White Sox in 2025, although just five of his 36 big-league appearances lasted longer than one inning. It's possible Taylor's new role may be the next step in a plan to introduce him to the rotation down the line, but for now, the 23-year-old holds minimal fantasy value since he's out of the rotation and unlikely to receive late-inning work.

Lavender (elbow) cleared outright waivers Wednesday and was returned to the Mets.

The Rays acquired Lavender via the Rule 5 Draft last winter, so now that he's been outrighted off the Rays' 40-man roster, he'll return to the Mets' farm system. The 25-year-old lefty missed all of last season while recovering from Tommy John surgery with an internal brace, and he underwent another procedure in August to remove a bone spur in his left elbow. His availability for the start of spring training remains unclear.

Skenes won the 2025 National League Cy Young Award on Wednesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Skenes received all 30 first-place votes after finishing the year with a 1.97 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP alongside a 216:42 K:BB across 187.2 innings. He joins Vern Law and Doug Drabek on the list of Pirates to take home the award after the latter two did so in 1960 and 1990, respectively.

Skubal was named the winner of the 2025 American League Cy Young Award on Wednesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

The 28-year-old lefty didn't receive all 30 first-place votes like he did in 2024, with four votes going to Garrett Crochet, but Skubal will still take home the award for a second consecutive season. He set career bests in ERA (2.21), WHIP (0.89), strikeouts (241) and innings (195.1) while making 31 starts for a second straight regular season.

General manager Dana Brown said Wednesday that Alvarez (ankle) has begun jogging at roughly 70 percent intensity, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Alvarez suffered a severe left ankle sprain during the final weeks of the regular season. Brown's comments indicate that the 28-year-old is coming along nicely in his recovery, and the GM added that he expects Alvarez to be ready to go by the start of spring training. The righty-hitting slugger also missed significant time in 2025 due to a fracture in his right hand and finished the season with just a .797 OPS across 199 plate appearances.

General manager Dana Brown said Wednesday that Hader (shoulder) has thrown off a mound three times, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Hader's season ended in mid-August after he suffered a left shoulder strain, but he appears to be progressing well in his rehab program. The Astros have yet to establish a return timeline for the lefty closer, however, so his availability for the start of spring training remains unknown.

The Rays released Seymour on Wednesday so that he could pursue an opportunity to play in Asia.

Tampa Bay designated Seymour for assignment Thursday, and rather than looking for another opportunity with an MLB club, the 27-year-old will take his talents across the Pacific Ocean. Seymour posted a .535 OPS in 83 plate appearances with the Rays in 2025, but he slashed .263/.327/.553 with 30 homers, 87 RBI and 70 runs scored across 105 games at Triple-A Durham.

Gonsolin (elbow) elected to become a free agent Wednesday.

Gonsolin passed through waivers unclaimed after the Dodgers designated him for assignment, and he's exercised his right to hit the free-agent market. The 31-year-old underwent Tommy John surgery with an internal brace on his right elbow in August, so it's unlikely he'll be available to pitch until at least the second half of the 2026 season.

The Reds claimed Rortvedt off waivers from the Dodgers on Wednesday.

Rortvedt split 2025 between the Rays and Dodgers, collecting a .152/.240/.205 batting line over 44 regular-season contests. Per Kiley McDaniel of ESPN.com, Rortvedt had avoided arbitration with the Dodgers with a one-year, $1.25 million contract prior to being placed on waivers, and that salary will now be the Reds' responsibility. He does not have minor-league options remaining and the Reds already have Tyler Stephenson and Jose Trevino pegged as their catching duo in 2026, so it's unclear how Rortvedt fits into the picture for Cincinnati.