Valdez and the Astros agreed to a one-year, $18 million contract to avoid arbitration Thursday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Valdez is entering his final year of arbitration eligibility and will earn nearly $6 million more than he did in 2024. He's emerged as one of the more reliable pitchers around the league in recent seasons, posting no worse than a 3.45 ERA in any season since 2021. Valdez has also completed at least 176 innings in each of the last three campaigns.

Feltner agreed to a one-year, $2.275 million contract with the Rockies on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

It was the first year of arbitration eligibility for Feltner, who set career highs in 2024 with 30 starts and 162.1 innings. The right-hander had a 4.49 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 138:52 K:BB and should begin 2025 as a back-end starter for the Rockies.

The Mets and Peterson avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract Thursday.

Peterson will be able to skip a hearing in what was his second year of arbitration eligibility. The southpaw's strikeout rate dipped to 19.8 percent in 2024, but he finished with a 2.90 ERA over 21 regular-season starts and will open 2025 in the Mets' rotation.

The Mets and Megill avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract Thursday.

He had been eligible for arbitration for the first time. Megill put up a 27 percent strikeout rate in 16 appearances (15 starts) with the Mets in 2024 but might have to settle for a bullpen job to open 2025.

The Mets and Blackburn (back) avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract Thursday.

Blackburn was eligible for arbitration for the third and final time. The veteran right-hander is recovering from back surgery but is expected to be ready for Opening Day. However, it appears unlikely at this juncture that there will be room for him in the Mets' rotation.

The Royals and Bubic avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3 million contract Thursday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Bubic thrived in relief in 2024 in his first full year back from Tommy John surgery, holding a 2.67 ERA and 39:5 K:BB over 30.1 regular-season frames. The lefty will be stretched out in spring training as the Royals consider him for their rotation.

The Mariners and Kirby avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $4.3 million contract Thursday, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

It's a substantial raise for Kirby, who was eligible for arbitration for the first time as a Super 2 qualifier. The right-hander collected a 3.53 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 179:23 K:BB over 191 innings covering 33 starts for Seattle in 2024.

The Mariners claimed Jay off waivers from the Brewers on Thursday.

Jay had been designated for assignment and has now found a new home. The left-handed reliever made it to the majors at 30 for the first time in 2024, allowing five runs (four earned) over five appearances between the Mets and Brewers.

The Marlins and Garrett (elbow) avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract Thursday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Garrett avoids an arbitration hearing in his first year of eligibility. He did not, however, avoid elbow surgery, as he underwent a UCL revision surgery with an internal brace last month that will sideline him for the entirety of the 2025 season.

Gray (elbow) agreed to a one-year, $1.35 million contract with the Nationals on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Gray underwent Tommy John surgery and an internal brace procedure in July to address a partial tear of the UCL in his right elbow. The Nationals haven't yet ruled him out for the entire 2025 campaign, but any appearance for the 27-year-old righty would almost certainly come in the final weeks of the season.