MLB Player News
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Sam Hentges RP | SF
Guardians' Sam Hentges: Activated from IL
Hentges (shoulder) was activated from the injured list Thursday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.
Hentges is recovering from a pair of surgeries, the more serious of which was on his shoulder, which cost him the entire 2025 season. He is expected to be ready for spring training, though his timeline may be a bit volatile given the seriousness of the injury.
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Will Brennan RF | CLE
Guardians' Will Brennan: Back from IL
Brennan (elbow) was activated from the injured list Thursday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.
Brennan underwent sports hernia surgery in September, which was about three months after he required Tommy John surgery. His recovery time from the elbow procedure is much shorter as a position player, so he could be ready for the start of spring training.
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Will Wilson 2B | CLE
Guardians' Will Wilson: Booted from 40-man roster
Wilson was outrighted to Triple-A Columbus by the Guardians and elected free agency Thursday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.
Wilson made his big-league debut and picked up 91 plate appearances with Cleveland in 2025 before finishing the campaign with Columbus. He had only a .511 OPS for the Guardians and will now look for another opportunity around the league.
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Kervin Castro RP | NYY
Yankees' Kervin Castro: Selected from Triple-A
The Yankees selected Castro's contract from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday.
Castro dominated minor-league hitters in 2025, turning in a 1.53 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 52:22 K:BB across 47 innings with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He'll be rewarded with a place on New York's 40-man roster as a result of his performance, and he'll have a chance to win a spot in the Yankees' bullpen during spring training.
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Brian Van Belle RP | TB
Rays' Brian Van Belle: DFA'd by Tampa Bay
The Rays activated Van Belle (elbow) from the 60-day injured list and designated him for assignment Thursday.
Van Belle suffered a UCL sprain in September, and it's unclear if the injury will be addressed via rest and rehab or surgery. Regardless, the 29-year-old will be placed on waivers. He appeared in four games with Tampa Bay in 2025, marking his first MLB action.
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Nathan Lavender RP | TB
Rays' Nate Lavender: DFA'd by Rays
The Rays activated Lavender (elbow) from the 60-day injured list and designated him for assignment Thursday.
Lavender underwent surgery in late August or early September to remove a bone spur from his left elbow. It's possible he'll be available for the start of spring training. However, he'll be exposed to waivers after Thursday's move. Lavender, who turns 25 in January, has yet to make his MLB debut.
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Bobby Seymour 1B | TB
Rays' Bob Seymour: Cut from 40-man roster
The Rays designated Seymour for assignment Thursday.
Seymour saw extended big-league action to close the regular season, and he slashed .205/.253/.282 with a 38.6 percent K rate across 83 plate appearances. It was a disappointing MLB debut for the first baseman who launched 30 homers at Triple-A Durham before being called up. He'll now be exposed to waivers, though he could remain with the Rays if he goes unclaimed.
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Jake Fraley RF | TB
Rays' Jake Fraley: Claimed by Rays
Tampa Bay claimed Fraley (oblique) off waivers from Atlanta on Thursday.
Fraley suffered a right oblique strain in mid-September, and after being exposed to waivers, he'll get a fresh start in Tampa Bay. Fraley slashed .241/.332/.382 during the 2025 season, spending the bulk of the year with Cincinnati before ending the campaign in Atlanta.
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Justin Topa RP | MIN
Twins' Justin Topa: Option declined, but arb eligible
The Twins declined Topa's $2 million option for 2026 on Thursday, Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.
Topa remains in the organization, as he has another year of team control via arbitration eligibility. The righty reliever collected a 3.90 ERA and 49:18 K:BB over 60 innings out of the Twins' bullpen in 2025, notching four saves along the way. Topa could see high-leverage innings again in 2026 as part of an unsettled Minnesota relief corps.