The Nationals released Lao on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Lao asked for and was granted his release in order to pursue a playing opportunity in Japan. The 26-year-old collected a 4.91 ERA and 9:2 K:BB over 11 innings between the Mariners and Nationals in 2025.

Henderson revealed Thursday on WBAL Radio that he played through a shoulder impingement "pretty much for three-quarters of the year" in 2025, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The shoulder injury had not been previously reported. Henderson admitted that it was probably a factor in his downturn offensively, saying he "wasn't able to hold the plane and my body was adjusting to it, not feeling great, so that didn't really set up me in the right spot to leverage the ball like I normally do." The 24-year-old shortstop saw his wRC+ go from 154 to 120 and home run total from 37 to 17 year-over-year. Henderson contends that he's healthy now, and a big bounce-back season offensively could be on the way.

The Twins and Lewis avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.85 million contract Thursday, Darren Wolfson of Channel 5 Saint Paul reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lewis played in a career-high 106 games in 2025 but regressed offensively, slashing only .237/.283/.388with 13 home runs and 12 stolen bases. The 26-year-old remains locked in as the Twins' everyday third baseman heading into the 2026 campaign.

The Twins and Larnach avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $4.475 million contract Thursday, Darren Wolfson of Channel 5 Saint Paul reports.

EDGE Analysis

Larnach finished the 2025 campaign with a .250/.323/.404 batting line and 17 home runs over 567 plate appearances. He'll turn 29 in February and should play regularly at least against right-handed pitching in 2026. Larnach will have one more year of arbitration eligibility next winter but might have to show progress to avoid getting non-tendered.

The Twins and Jeffers avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $6.7 million contract Thursday, Darren Wolfson of Channel 5 Saint Paul reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's a nice raise for Jeffers, who was in his final year of arbitration eligibility ahead of free agency next winter. The 28-year-old catcher slashed .266/.356/.397 with nine home runs across 464 plate appearances with the Twins in 2025. With Christian Vazquez not expected to return, Jeffers is set to be the clear No. 1 catcher for Minnesota in 2026.

The Rangers signed Murphy to a minor-league contract Thursday that includes an invitation to spring training.

EDGE Analysis

Murphy began the 2025 season in the minors with the Rangers before finishing the year in Korea with the KT Wiz. The 30-year-old reliever holds a career 4.76 ERA and 38:20 K:BB over 39.2 innings at the major-league level and has not pitched in MLB since 2022 with the Nationals.

The Twins and Jackson avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.35 million contract Thursday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

He'll get a little pay bump in his first year of arbitration eligibility. Jackson was acquired via trade from the Orioles in November and is set to serve as the Twins' backup catcher in 2026 behind starter Ryan Jeffers.

The Twins and Sands avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.1 million contract Thursday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sands had been in his first year of arbitration eligibility. The 28-year-old finished 2025 with a 4.50 ERA and 64:19 K:BB over 72 innings, collecting three saves along the way. Sands is in the mix for save chances with the Twins in 2026.

Smith (quadriceps) signed a one-year, $2.25 million deal with the Diamondbacks to avoid arbitration Thursday, Jack Sommers of DBacks on SI reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smith missed nearly all of the second half of the 2025 season with a combination of oblique and quadriceps injuries. He'll likely begin the 2026 campaign on the strong side of a platoon at first base, assuming he returns to health.

Puk (elbow) agreed to a one-year, $3.1 million deal with the Diamondbacks to avoid arbitration Thursday, Jack Sommers of DBacks on SI reports.

EDGE Analysis

Puk was limited to only eight appearances in 2025 and underwent Tommy John surgery in mid-June. He's expected to miss most of 2026, but might be able to contribute in the final couple of months.