MLB Player News

Arroyo underwent right elbow surgery Wednesday to clean up cartilage and brace a chronic injury to his UCL.

The Mariners expect Arroyo to be ready to play in games again by next April, so he's slated to get a late start to next season. Arroyo was impressive down the stretch for the Mariners after being summoned for his major-league debut in September, going 13-for-35 (.371) with one home run, two steals and a 5:6 BB:K. It's unclear whether Arroyo will be able to play the field right away upon his return, or if the Mariners could limit him to designated hitter initially.

The Athletics declined Springs' $15 million club option for 2027 on Friday.

He'll receive a modest $750,000 buyout instead. Springs battled through a woeful 2026 campaign, finishing with a 6.18 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 112:57 K:BB over 142.2 innings covering 29 starts. The 34-year-old southpaw served up 23 home runs and had a 6.90 ERA at Sutter Health Park, so Springs will likely be seeking to land with a team that has a more pitcher-friendly home confines.

The Athletics declined McNeil's $15.75 million club option for 2027 on Friday.

McNeil will be given a $2 million buyout instead and is now a free agent. The 34-year-old's lone season with the Athletics was underwhelming, as he logged a .264/.313/.368 batting line with nine home runs across 144 contests. McNeil has been a below-average hitter in terms of OPS+ three of the last four seasons, so it might be difficult for him to find a team willing to hand him a starting job.

The Orioles re-signed Hinds to a one-year contract Friday.

Hinds finished the 2026 campaign with the Orioles, which was one of three organizations he was in during the season. The 26-year-old outfielder has big power but has yet to find consistency during his limited chances in the majors, slashing .171/.229/.388 with a 41.6 percent strikeout rate over parts of three seasons.

The Twins declined Ryan's $13 million mutual option for 2027 on Friday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Ryan remains under team control for one more season, but the Twins are passing on the option because the hurler's arbitration projection is much lower. The right-hander authored a 3.79 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 159:31 K:BB across 144.2 innings covering 27 outings for Minnesota this season.

The Twins declined Bell's $10 million club option for 2027 on Friday.

Bell will be given a $1.25 million buyout instead. The 34-year-old's lone season in Minnesota was a productive one, as he finished with a .255/.319/.419 batting line, 21 home runs and 96 RBI. Bell might have trouble landing a multi-year contract this offseason, but he should be able to find a team willing to give him regular at-bats at designated hitter and/or first base in 2027.

The Angels declined Stephenson's (elbow) $2.5 million club option for 2027 on Friday.

The Angels handed Stephenson a three-year, $33 million contract prior to the 2024 season, and he wound up making a total of just 12 appearances for them due to various arm injuries. Stephenson is currently working his way back from ligament and flexor repair surgery on his right elbow, and he will miss at least the first few months of next season.

The Cubs declined Kelly's $7.5 million mutual option for 2027 on Friday.

The Cubs' signing of Kelly to a two-year, $11.5 million contract proved to be a fruitful one, as the 32-year-old put together a solid .254/.335/.402 batting line with 27 home runs in two seasons. Kelly could be able to land another multi-year contract this offseason.

The Orioles declined Eflin's (elbow) $25 million mutual option for 2027 on Friday.

He'll receive a $2 million buyout instead. Eflin made only one start for the Orioles this season before undergoing Tommy John surgery, and the free agent will be shelved until around midseason next year.

Gray declined his side of a $30 million mutual option for 2027 on Friday and is now a free agent, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

Gray will be paid a $5 million buyout instead. He'll have an exclusive negotiating window with the Red Sox for five days, but it's unlikely the two sides will reach an agreement before Gray is able to field offers from other clubs, as well. The 37-year-old went 18-5 with a 2.72 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 149:46 K:BB over 169 regular-season innings in 2026.