MLB Player News

Gage was designated for assignment by the Astros on Monday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The move was made in order to free up a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Josh Hader. Gage, who turns 31 next month, has held a 1.83 ERA and 20:9 K:BB over 19.2 innings at the major-league level and posted a 4.58 ERA and 39:20 K:BB across 37.1 frames at Triple-A Sugar Land in 2023.

Perez signed a one-year contract with the Orioles on Monday to avoid arbitration.

The deal also contains a club option for 2025. The financial particulars aren't clear, but Perez had been seeking $1.4 million for 2024, with the team offering $1.1 million. Perez has collected a 2.43 ERA and 99:48 K:BB over 111 innings in his two seasons in Baltimore.

Criswell will enter spring training prepared to be a starting pitcher, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

All 10 of Criswell's appearances in the majors in 2023 came in relief, but they were mostly of the bulk relief variety, as he went no less than two innings and as many as 4.2 frames across those 10 outings. The 27-year-old made 17 starts (and six relief appearances) last year at Triple-A Durham. Winning a rotation spot with the Red Sox is unlikely, but Criswell does have an option remaining, so he could open the 2024 campaign in Triple-A Worcester's rotation. Long relief with the big club is also a possibility.

Pressly is expected to serve in a setup role for the Astros following the signing of Josh Hader, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Manager Joe Espada declined to name a closer when asked Saturday at the team's FanFest event. However, Rome writes of Espada that he "sounded like a manager who will eventually name a standalone closer," and that's fully expected to be Hader. The team spoke to Pressly before agreeing to terms with Hader and Pressly is "all in" on the move, per Espada. Pressly should still be rosterable in deep leagues even in a setup role, but clearly his fantasy stock is way down following the Hader move.

Brebbia signed a one-year, $5.5 million contract with the White Sox on Saturday, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

Brebbia posted a 3.83 ERA and 1.31 WHIP across 124.2 frames during his time with the Giants, though he struggled in 2023 after returning from a lat injury, surrendering seven earned runs in 9.2 innings. The 33-year-old has worked as a middle reliever, opener and setup man throughout his career, and the White Sox's lack of bullpen depth also opens the possibility for save opportunities.

Stephenson agreed to a three-year, $33 million contract with the Angels on Friday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

With Josh Hader landing in Houston, Stephenson was one the better relievers left on the market. He had a breakout 2023 campaign, during which he maintained a 3.10 ERA and 0.88 WHIP to go along with a 77:16 K:BB across 52.1 innings while pitching primarily with the Rays. Stephenson also proved capable of working in a high-leverage role by racking up 15 holds, and he should be in contention for saves alongside Carlos Estevez with his new club.

Hader signed a five-year, $95 million contract with the Astros on Friday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Coming off a phenomenal season in which Hader logged a 1.28 ERA and 1.10 WHIP through 56.1 innings while racking up 33 saves, the 29-year-old southpaw will join the Astros on the most lucrative deal for a reliever in MLB history, based on present-day value. This will be Hader's second stint with the Astros organization -- he spent roughly two years in Houston's farm system before being traded to the Brewers in 2015. He will almost certainly take over as the Astros' primary closer, moving Ryan Pressly into a setup role.

Bowman signed a minor-league contract with the Twins on Thursday and received an invitation to major-league spring training, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

In 2023, Bowman returned to the majors for the first time since 2019, though he appeared in just three games for the Yankees and surrendered four earned runs in four innings. The 32-year-old reliever posted a 3.99 ERA and 1.39 WHIP in Triple-A and will now have an outside shot at making the Twins' Opening Day roster.

The Tigers claimed Sweet off waivers from the Giants on Thursday.

Sweet has done some bouncing around since last August, going from the Mariners to the Athletics to the Giants and now to the Tigers via waivers. The 27-year-old reliever held a 10.38 ERA in seven appearances during 2023 in his first taste of the majors, but he posted a 2.25 ERA and 57:11 K:BB over 44 frames in the minors last season. He'll look to fill a middle relief role in Detroit.

Voth signed a one-year, $1.25 million contract with the Mariners on Wednesday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

The 31-year-old's contract includes a potential additional year of team control in 2025. Voth collected a 5.19 ERA and 34:15 K:BB over 34.2 innings in 2023 with the Orioles. He was used exclusively in relief last season during his time in the majors but has plenty of past starting experience and could operate in a swingman or long-relief role in Seattle.