MLB Player News

Martinez declined his part of a $20 mutual option for 2027 and is now a free agent, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Martinez will be given a $4 million buyout instead. The veteran right-hander turned 36 in August, but he could net a multi-year contract this offseason after posting a 3.10 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 109:26 K:BB over 180 innings covering 31 regular-season starts for the Rays in 2026.

May declined his mutual option with the Brewers on Thursday, becoming a free agent, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

May will hit the open market after helping deliver the Brewers a World Series championship over the Rays. The right-hander combined to produce a 4.70 ERA and 1.32 WHIP with 144 strikeouts over 145.2 innings in 31 starts with the Cardinals and Brewers during the 2026 regular season.

The Mariners declined Miller's $6.075 million club option for 2027 on Thursday.

Miller remains under team control through 2029, but the Mariners expect to be able to lock him in at a cheaper cost for 2027 via the arbitration process. The 28-year-old right-hander had an up-and-down 2026 campaign, finishing with a 4.17 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 119:38 K:BB across 118.2 innings.

The Athletics outrighted Estes to Triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday.

Estes has seen little action in the majors the last two seasons, and he's allowed 21 runs over 18.1 innings during that stretch. He held a 6.50 ERA in 20 starts with Las Vegas in 2026, and it's likely he's headed back there to begin the 2027 season.

The Athletics outrighted Baez to Triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday.

He's no longer on the 40-man roster but will remain in the organization after passing throug waivers unclaimed. Baez spent all of the 2026 season at Double-A Midland, holding a 7.09 ERA and 51:32 K:BB over 53.1 innings covering 14 starts.

Imai will remain with the Astros in 2027 rather than exercising the opt-out clause in his contract, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Imai has two years and $36 million remaining on his contract, which is well shy of what he'd get on the open market after he posted a disappointing 4.93 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 97:51 K:BB over 76.2 innings in his first year with the Astros. He has another opt-out clause in his contract that he could exercise after the 2027 campaign. Imai spent the final two months of the regular season in the bullpen, and it's unclear what plans the Astros have in store for Imai's role next season.

Boyd declined his side of a $15 million option for 2027 on Thursday and is now a free agent, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

The veteran left-hander will be given a $2 million buyout instead. The Cubs can still negotiate with Boyd for a few days before other teams are allowed to discuss a contract with him. Boyd -- who turns 36 in February -- logged a 3.91 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 96:39 K:BB across 126.2 regular-season innings in 2026.

Holmes declined his $12 million player option for 2027 on Thursday and is now a free agent, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

The Cubs will have an exclusive negotiating window with Holmes for a few days, and they are reportedly interested in re-signing the righty. However, Holmes is almost surely going to reach free agency and field bids from several clubs. The 33-year-old was limited to 18 regular-season starts due to a fractured fibula, but he posted a 3.29 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 78:42 K:BB over 101.1 innings.

King declined his $28 million player option for 2027 on Thursday and is now a free agent, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

King will receive a $5 million buyout instead and will now be on the lookout for a multi-year contract this offseason. The 31-year-old right-hander logged a 3.21 ERA and 1.18 WHIP across 32 regular-season starts for the Padres in 2026, though his strikeout rate dipped to 21 percent. King will be arguably the top free-agent starting pitcher after Tarik Skubal.

Rasmussen was charged with the loss in Game 5 of the World Series against the Brewers on Wednesday. He gave up one run on two hits with four strikeouts and no walks over four innings.

Pitching on short rest after Tampa Bay avoided a sweep Tuesday, Rasmussen gave his club a chance in Game 5 with four strong innings, but the Rays offense never found any traction. The right-hander surrendered just seven runs with a 31:5 K:BB across 28.2 innings during the playoffs. Rasmussen has a $20 million club option for 2027, which the Rays are likely to exercise after he posted a 2.67 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 174:32 K:BB over a career-high 172 innings during the regular season.