MLB Player News

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

Though he managed to club five home runs, Serven posted just a .599 OPS over 85 plate appearances this season with the Athletics. He has the ability to decline the outright assignment and become a free agent, and Serven is likely to exercise that right.

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

The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster. Hartlieb got into 18 games for the Athletics this season, logging a 4.82 ERA and 22:14 K:BB over 28 frames. The 32-year-old has been outrighted before, so Hartlieb could choose to decline the assignment and become a free agent.

Rodriguez cleared waivers Thursday and was sent outright to Triple-A Las Vegas, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Rodriguez was claimed off waivers from Pittsburgh in August and played out the rest of the regular season at Triple-A, slashing .239/.346/.446 across 107 plate appearances with the Aviators. He'll lose his place on the 40-man roster to begin the offseason and will likely begin the 2027 campaign as organizational depth.

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.

The Angels outrighted Rivero to Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday.

The Angels are doing some 40-man roster housekeeping, and Rivero will lose his spot. He has the ability to reject the outright assignment and become a free agent, a move Rivero seems likely to make.

The Angels outrighted Peralta to Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday.

The transaction frees a spot on the Angels' 40-man roster. Since he's been outrighted previously, Peralta has the ability to decline the assignment and become a free agent. He holds a career 5.64 ERA and 60:33 K:BB over 68.2 innings covering parts of four big-league seasons.

The Red Sox traded Eaton to the Athletics on Thursday in exchange for minor-league pitcher Jareth Rayo, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Eaton appeared in 24 games for the Red Sox this season, going 8-for-50 (.160) at the plate while tallying six RBI, four runs scored and two steals. He had a bit more success in the minors to the tune of a .254/.338/.412 slash line over 363 plate appearances, and he'll likely compete for a spot on the Athletics' Opening Day roster in 2027.

Helsley (elbow) will exercise his $14 million player option for 2027, Andy Kostka of TheBanner.com reports.

Helsley was limited to only 15.1 innings in 2026 because of elbow trouble, making his decision to pick up his player option and remain in Baltimore a fairly easy one. The reliever pitched in a rehab game in September, so he should be healthy for spring training, barring any setbacks. Helsley figures to be in the mix to close games for the Orioles in 2027, though Felix Bautista and/or Rico Garcia are also options for the ninth inning.