MLB Player News
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Ronel Blanco RP | HOU
Astros' Ronel Blanco: Removed from injured list
Blanco (elbow) was activated from the injured list Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
This move was strictly procedural, as Blanco is recovering from Tommy John surgery with an internal brace. He is expected to miss most of the 2026 season.
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Ben Lively SP | CLE
Ben Lively: Loses roster spot
Lively (elbow) was outrighted to Triple-A Columbus by the Guardians on Thursday and elected free agency, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.
Lively was a fairly effective starter for Cleveland to begin the season with a 3.22 ERA over 44.2 innings, but he underwent elbow surgery in late May. He likely won't be able to retake a big-league mound until the middle of the 2026 season, so it may take him some time to find a new opportunity.
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John Means SP | CLE
John Means: Hits free agency
The Guardians declined Means' (elbow) 2026 club option Thursday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.
Means is near the end of his recovery from Tommy John surgery but hasn't pitched in the majors since May 22, 2024. He made seven total rehab appearances in the final six weeks of the campaign, so he should be ready for the start of spring training with his new club.
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Alex Faedo SP | TB
Alex Faedo: Hitting free agency
Faedo (shoulder) cleared waivers and elected free agency Thursday.
After being designated for assignment by Tampa Bay earlier this week, Faedo will hit the open market. Faedo underwent season-ending thoracic outlet syndrome surgery in early August, and it's uncertain if he'll be available for the start of 2026.
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Tony Gonsolin SP | LAD
Dodgers' Tony Gonsolin: DFA'd by Dodgers
The Dodgers designated Gonsolin (elbow) for assignment Thursday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
A back injury prevented Gonsolin from pitching in the first month of the regular season, and he suffered an elbow injury in June that ultimately required season-ending surgery and will keep him sidelined for at least the first few months of the 2026 campaign. Assuming the injury-prone righty clears waivers, he will have the right to elect free agency and attempt to find another opportunity elsewhere.
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Shota Imanaga RP | CHC
Shota Imanaga: Handed qualifying offer
The Cubs extended Imanaga a one-year, $22.05 million qualifying offer on Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Chicago opted to decline Imanaga's three-year, $57.75 million option earlier this week, but they'll extend the 32-year-old southpaw a qualifying offer. Imanaga could forego the qualifying offer and hit the open market, which would net the Cubs draft compensation if he signs elsewhere. After a stellar rookie campaign in 2024, Imanaga took a step back during the 2025 regular season. His ERA dropped from 2.91 to 3.73, his K/9 moved from 9.0 to 7.3 and his HR/9 went from 1.4 to 1.9.
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Zac Gallen SP | ARI
Zac Gallen: Receives qualifying offer
The Diamondbacks extended a one-year, $22.05 million qualifying offer to Gallen on Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Gallen is coming off the worst season of his MLB career, with his 4.83 ERA, 15 losses, 8.2 K/9 and 1.5 HR/9 all being career worsts. Though it's unclear just how large the market will be for Gallen after a down year, he could decline the qualifying offer in hopes of securing a long-term deal ahead of his age-30 campaign. If he does so and then signs elsewhere, Arizona would receive draft compensation.
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Ranger Suarez SP | PHI
Ranger Suarez: Receives qualifying offer
The Phillies extended a one-year, $22.05 million qualifying offer to Suarez on Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Suarez is coming off an excellent 2025 season in which he posted a 3.20 ERA and a 151:38 K:BB over 157.1 regular-season innings, which he capped off with just one run allowed in five postseason frames. Suarez will turn 30 next August, and he'll likely decline the qualifying offer in pursuit of a multi-year deal. If he leaves Philadelphia, the Phillies will receive draft compensation.
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Dylan Cease SP | TOR
Dylan Cease: Extended qualifying offer
The Padres extended Cease a one-year, $22.05 million qualifying offer Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
If Cease signs elsewhere in free agency, the Padres will receive a bonus draft pick as compensation. The 29-year-old has been extremely reliable from a health standpoint, making at least 32 starts in each of the last five seasons. His performance, on the other hand, has been more inconsistent, as he's looked like a top-end starter at times but finished the 2025 regular season with a 4.55 ERA and 1.33 WHIP over 168 innings.
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Framber Valdez SP | HOU
Framber Valdez: Handed qualifying offer
The Astros extended a one-year, $22.05 million qualifying offer to Valdez on Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Valdez is expected to decline the offer and pursue a significantly larger deal as a free agent this offseason. Thursday's move ensures the Astros will receive a compensatory draft pick if Valdez does not return to Houston. He logged a 3.66 ERA and a 187:68 K:BB across 192 innings in 2025, and the soon-to-be 32-year-old has now thrown at least 175 innings in four consecutive campaigns.