The Angels could turn to Joyce (elbow) as their closer during the 2026 season, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports.

General manager Perry Minasian indicated Monday that he's undecided whether the team needs to add an established closer from outside the organization. If it doesn't, Joyce and Robert Stephenson (elbow) appear to be the top in-house candidates for the role. Both pitchers, however, are coming off injuries, with Joyce missing most of 2025 following surgery to repair the labrum in his right shoulder. It's unclear where Joyce is currently at in his throwing program, and it's also not a given that his stuff will return to what it was pre-surgery, making him an iffy guy to count on for 2026.

Stephenson (elbow) could get an opportunity to serve as the Angels' closer next season, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports.

General manager Perry Minasian said Monday that the team is undecided whether it will add an established closer to replace free agent Kenley Jansen. As things stand right now, Stephenson and Ben Joyce (shoulder) appear to be the top in-house candidates for the role. Stephenson missed the entire 2024 season following UCL reconstruction with an internal brace, and he was limited to just 12 appearances for the Angels and eight rehab outings in 2025 because of more arm issues. The righty finished this past season on the injured list with right elbow inflammation, and it's unclear whether he's been able to have a normal offseason throwing program. Stephenson is owed $11 million in 2026 and the Angels have a $2.5 million option on him for 2027 that vested after he needed UCL surgery.

The Mets signed Edwards to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training Monday, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Edwards made four appearances between the Angels and Rangers in 2025, allowing three runs over six innings. The 34-year-old hasn't spent a significant amount of time in the majors since 2023, when he posted a 3.69 ERA over 32 outings with the Nationals. Edwards will likely begin the 2026 campaign at Triple-A Syracuse.

The Diamondbacks signed Soroka to a one-year contract Monday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com report.

The deal is worth $7.5 million, with $2 million more possible in incentives, per Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic. Soroka -- who will slot into the Arizona rotation -- flashed some encouraging signs in 2025, ultimately finishing with a 4.52 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 95:29 K:BB over 89.2 regular-season innings covering 17 starts and five relief appearances between the Nationals and Cubs. He missed much of the second half with a shoulder injury but returned late in the season in a relief role. Soroka is a poor bet to hold up health-wise given that he hasn't reached 100 innings at the big-league level since 2019, but he has some upside and will only cost Arizona a one-year commitment.

The Nationals traded Ferrer to the Mariners on Saturday in exchange for Harry Ford and minor-league pitcher Isaac Lyon, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Ferrer finished the 2025 season with a 4.48 ERA and 1.27 WHIP over 76.1 innings, and he also recorded 11 saves upon taking over as the Nationals' closer following the departure of Kyle Finnegan. The Mariners' bullpen is a bit deeper than Washington's, however, so Ferrer is likely to take on a middle-relief role with his new club.

VanWey cleared waivers Friday and was outrighted to Triple-A Sugar Land, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

VanWey reached the majors for the first time in 2025 and logged a 5.06 ERA alongside a 1.69 WHIP over 10.2 innings. He now seems poised to begin the new season back in Triple-A, and the Astros could look to fill his spot on the 40-man roster during the Rule 5 Draft.

Brzykcy cleared waivers Friday and was sent outright to Triple-A Jacksonville, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Brzykcy was claimed off waivers in November after he posted a 9.00 ERA and 1.74 WHIP in 23 innings with the Nationals this year. He'll remain in the organization but lose his roster spot, giving Miami an opening on the 40-man heading into the Rule 5 Draft.

Atlanta designated Walker for assignment Friday.

Walker was a waiver claim of Atlanta in November and will now go through the waivers process again. The left-hander holds a career 6.59 ERA and 31:14 K:BB over 27.1 innings covering parts of three big-league seasons and does not have minor-league options remaining.

The Mets claimed Criswell off waivers from the Red Sox on Friday, Jorge Castillo of ESPN.com reports.

Criswell had been designated for assignment following Boston's five-player trade with Pittsburgh on Thursday. The 29-year-old has been a useful swingman for the Red Sox the last two seasons, holding a 4.00 ERA and 82:36 K:BB over 117 innings covering 19 starts and 14 relief appearances. Criswell does not have minor-league options remaining but is not yet arbitration-eligible, so the Mets will have several years of control of the righty.

The Diamondbacks re-signed Rashi to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training Friday.

Arizona non-tendered Rashi last month, but he'll return to the organization. Slated to turn 30 in January, Rashi posted a 4.41 ERA and 22:8 K:BB across 16.1 innings with the Diamondbacks in 2025.