Major League Baseball teams non-tendered 66 players at Friday's 5 p.m. ET deadline, making them free agents for the 2026 season. Among the most prominent are Texas Rangers outfielder Adolis García and catcher Jonah Heim, key figures from the 2023 World Series champions. Other notable additions to the free-agent pool include Boston Red Sox first baseman Nathaniel Lowe and Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Evan Phillips.
The MLB non-tender deadline passed at 5 p.m. ET on Friday, allowing teams to decline contracts to arbitration-eligible and pre-arbitration players under club control. Players not tendered immediately became unrestricted free agents, joining the offseason market alongside established names like Kyle Schwarber and Cody Bellinger.
Several high-profile players from recent playoff runs were let go. Adolis García, the 2023 ALCS MVP who hit eight postseason homers for the Rangers' World Series title, was non-tendered after a down year. In 2025, he batted .227/.271/.294 with 19 home runs and a .278 on-base percentage over his last 1,200 plate appearances. The Rangers also released catcher Jonah Heim, their 2023 starting backstop with an 18-homer, 107 OPS+ season, and reliever Josh Sborz, who secured the final out of the championship clincher. García was projected to earn about $12 million in arbitration.
Boston non-tendered first baseman Nathaniel Lowe, acquired in August after his release from the Washington Nationals. Lowe hit .280/.370/.420 in 34 games with the Red Sox but had a career-low .689 OPS overall, with just one 20-homer season. His projected $13 million salary proved too steep for a first baseman with Gold Glove defense from 2022.
Atlanta released right-hander Alek Manoah, once a Cy Young contender in 2022 with a 2.24 ERA, but hampered by injuries including Tommy John surgery. He posted a 3.96 ERA in 10 minor-league starts in 2025 with reduced velocity. Tampa Bay let go outfielder Christopher Morel, a power hitter with 26 homers in 2023 but defensive issues and a .204 average recently; he has three years of control left.
Los Angeles Dodgers non-tendered reliever Evan Phillips, effective from 2022-24 with a 2.21 ERA and 44 saves, but sidelined by Tommy John surgery in May 2025. Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman noted ongoing discussions: "We had a number of back and forth discussions with Evan and his agent. It is challenging with him coming off surgery so he is going to take some time and look to sign after he throws off the mound when his rehab allows."
Other teams made moves including Kansas City releasing outfielder MJ Melendez, who hit .215 lifetime with defensive struggles, and Oakland non-tendering outfielder JJ Bleday after a .212 season. Full lists by team include Arizona (Tommy Henry, Taylor Rashi), Baltimore (Albert Suárez), and more, totaling 66 free agents.
