MLB Player News

The Cardinals acquired Rivera from the Red Sox on Tuesday in exchange for Juan Garcia, Andrew Parker of SoxProspects.com reports.

Rivera had been designated for assignment Monday as the Red Sox did some 40-man roster housekeeping. The big lefty allowed seven runs over 10 innings during his brief time in the majors in 2026, and he posted a 2.96 ERA and 55:27 K:BB across 45.2 frames with Triple-A Worcester. Rivera will compete for a spot in the Cardinals' bullpen in 2027, but he has minor-league options remaining.

The Red Sox designated Rivera for assignment on Monday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

The 23-year-old lefty made his big-league debut last season for Boston, logging a 6.30 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 10:6 K:BB across 10 regular-season innings. He ended the campaign on the 60-day injured list with a strained lower back.

The Orioles extended Rogers a one-year, $23.15 million qualifying offer Monday.

After being nearly unhittable during the 2025 season en route to a 1.81 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 103:29 K:BB across 109.2 innings, Rogers struggled for a good portion of the 2026 campaign. Across 30 starts, the left-hander recorded a 4.03 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 157:39 K:BB spanning 169.2 innings. The 30 starts did mark a new career-high for the soon-to-be 29-year-old, and he'll have until Nov. 17 to accept or decline the qualifying offer.

The Rangers claimed Butto (arm) off waivers from the Giants on Monday.

Butto missed nearly all of this past season while recovering from two surgeries to address a blood clot and artery in his right arm. It's unclear where the right-handed reliever is at in his rehab. Butto holds a career 3.76 ERA and 185:99 K:BB over 189 innings at the big-league level.

The Astros selected Reifert's contract from Triple-A Sugar Land on Monday.

Reifert was acquired from the Rays in a trade this past weekend and is now a member of the Astros' 40-man roster. He logged a 2.48 ERA and 81:34 K:BB over 58 frames this season with Triple-A Durham. Reifert has yet to make his major-league debut but is a good bet to do so next season with the Astros.

Waldichuk (elbow) cleared waivers and elected to become a free agent Monday.

Waldichuk is recovering from a second Tommy John surgery and will be sidelined until around midseason next year. He will search for a new organization as he continues his rehab.

Giolito's (elbow) $8 million mutual option for 2027 was declined Monday.

Giolito didn't sign with the Padres until late April, and he finished the regular season having logged just 29.2 innings while posting a 5.16 ERA and ugly 18:23 K:BB. The veteran hurler didn't make an appearance after late June because of right elbow inflammation, and while he didn't have surgery, it's unclear what his current health status is.

The Cubs declined Rea's $7.5 million club option for 2027 on Monday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

He'll be given a $1 million buyout and head into free agency. Rea gave the Cubs some solid work as a swingman the past two regular seasons, logging a 4.13 ERA and 228:91 K:BB over 296.1 innings covering 46 starts and 20 relief outings. The 36-year-old will likely be deciding on one-year contract offers this winter.

Reifert is being traded from the Rays to the Astros, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Reifert spent all of last season with Triple-A Durham, where he posted a 2.48 ERA and 1.22 WHIP over 58 innings spanning 46 appearances (including three starts). The right-hander displayed an outstanding slider and excellent swing-and-miss stuff with a 32.9 percent strikeout rate, 36.6 percent whiff rate and 31.5 percent chase rate, though he also posted a less appealing 5.3 BB/9. Reifort could compete for a big-league bullpen spot next spring, especially if he's able to improve his control. Per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, Tampa Bay is receiving cash for Reifert.

The Padres declined Pivetta's $14 million option for 2027 on Saturday, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Pivetta endured an injury-plagued campaign in 2026, as he pitched in only eight regular-season games due to a right flexor strain. The veteran hurler did return for the end of the campaign and looked great in September, recording a 1.45 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 18:2 K:BB over 18.2 innings across four starts. Pivetta also started two postseason contests, allowing three runs across 7.2 frames while registering an 8:2 K:BB in those outings. Despite the promising finish to the campaign, the Padres opted not to pick up Pivetta's option for 2027, perhaps due in part to the fact that the right-hander would have then had an $18 million player option for 2028. San Diego could still look to re-sign Pivetta on a different deal, though he should draw multiple suitors in free agency given the desirability of reliable starting pitching.