Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said Monday that Wheeler (shoulder) began playing catch last week, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Wheeler underwent surgery in late September to address venous thoracic outlet syndrome, which had been preceded by an operation in mid-August to remove a blood clot near his right shoulder. Venous thoracic outlet syndrome is considered the less severe of the two TOS diagnoses, but Wheeler remains questionable to be ready for Opening Day. A clearer picture of his timetable should be available during spring training.

Padres manager Craig Stammen said Monday that Miller will remain in the bullpen next season, Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com reports.

The Padres mulled the idea of shifting Miller to their rotation, but Stammen noted Monday that that move would have been "a risky proposition health-wise and performance-wise." With confirmation that he'll stay in the bullpen, Miller should open 2026 as the Padres' closer and has a strong case to be the first reliever to be taken in fantasy drafts. The 27-year-old boasts a 2.56 ERA and 43.1 percent strikeout rate over the last two regular seasons, notching 28 saves over that time.

The Cardinals claimed Kent off waivers from the Guardians on Friday.

Kent was a full-time reliever for the first time in 2025. He posted a 4.58 ERA and 16:8 K:BB over 17.2 innings with the big club and a 2.84 ERA with 50 strikeouts over 38 frames at Triple-A Columbus. The righty will turn 28 in February and compete for a spot in the Cardinals' Opening Day bullpen.

Atlanta claimed Molina off waivers from the Rockies on Friday.

Molina holds an ugly 6.96 ERA over 52 appearances at the major-league level after being taken in the Rule 5 Draft two years ago. The 23-year-old has primarily been used as a starter in the minors and will likely begin the 2026 campaign as rotation depth at Triple-A Gwinnett.

Atlanta claimed Bido off waivers from the Athletics on Friday.

Bido flashed promise for the Athletics in 2024 with a 3.41 ERA and 24.3 percent strikeout rate, but he fell off to a 5.87 ERA and 18.7 percent strikeout rate in 2025. The 30-year-old does not have minor-league options remaining and will likely begin the 2026 season in a long-relief role with Atlanta, but he could make some starts for them.

Manaea said last week that he did not require surgery to remove a loose body from his left elbow and he considers the injury "a thing of the past," Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The southpaw was first diagnosed with a loose body in his elbow in June, but he missed minimal time and it was determined during an examination after the season that surgery was not necessary. There's a risk that the elbow issue will crop up again in the future, but for the time being, Manaea has a clean bill of health. The 33-year-old posted a 5.64 ERA over 60.2 frames for the Mets in 2025, though that came with a 75:12 K:BB.

The Cardinals acquired Fitts and Brandon Clarke from the Red Sox on Tuesday in exchange for Sonny Gray and cash considerations, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Fitts made 14 starts and one relief appearance for the Red Sox the past two years, collecting a 3.97 ERA and 49:23 K:BB over 65.2 innings. The right-hander is under team control through 2031 and stands a good chance to open the season in the Cardinals' rotation. Fitts ended the season on the injured list with right arm neuritis, but he entered the offseason without limitations.

Robberse (elbow) signed a minor-league contract with the Cardinals on Monday, which includes an invitation to spring training, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Robberse was non-tendered by St. Louis on Friday, but the club has since elected to bring him back on a minor-league deal. He's currently rehabbing from Tommy John surgery and is expected to miss the first few months of the 2026 campaign.

The Reds re-signed Spiers (elbow) to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training Monday.

Spiers was non-tendered by Cincinnati last week, but he'll remain in the organization on a minor-league pact. The right-hander is expected to miss most, if not all, of the 2026 season after having Tommy John surgery in late July, so it's likely a two-year minor-league contract.

Atlanta and Wentz avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract Friday.

Wentz showed some flashes after being claimed off waivers from Minnesota in 2025, finishing with a 4.92 ERA and 64:23 K:BB over 64 innings with Atlanta. The left-hander will compete for a spot in the rotation in spring training but could ultimately settle into a long relief role.