MLB Player News

The Angels signed Brogdon to a minor-league contract Wednesday, Taylor Blake Ward of The Sporting Tribune reports.

Brogdon made a total of just 18 appearances between the majors and minors in 2024 due to a foot injury, although he ended the season healthy. The righty reliever flashed some bat-missing ability with the Phillies from 2020 to 2022 with a 25.1 percent strikeout rate.

Jax will remain in the Twins' bullpen rather than move into the rotation, general manager Jeremy Zoll confirmed Wednesday, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

The Twins' coaching staff indicated earlier in the offseason that a shift to the rotation for Jax was a possibility, but it appears it's no longer being considered. Jax was a starting pitcher in the minors and made 14 starts for the Twins in 2021, but he's since blossomed as a reliever, most recently posting a 2.03 ERA and 95:15 K:BB over 71 innings in 2024. The 30-year-old will enter the upcoming season as Minnesota's top setup man, but he picked up 10 saves last season and, with manager Rocco Baldelli not committed to traditional bullpen roles, Jax should see some save chances in 2025.

Festa was designated for assignment by the Rangers on Monday.

Festa has been booted from the 40-man roster to make room for the acquisition of Chris Martin. Festa has pitched in the big leagues in each of the last three seasons, though it's unclear if he'll draw much interest on waivers after posting a 5.70 ERA and 1.23 WHIP over 23.2 innings across stops with the Rangers and Mets a season ago.

Martin signed a one-year contract with Texas on Monday.

Martin will join the Rangers after turning in two solid years in Boston. He posted a 3.45 ERA and 1.13 WHIP with a 50:3 K:BB across 44.1 innings a season ago, picking up two saves along the way. Texas doesn't currently have many arms in the bullpen with closer experience, so a veteran like Martin could have a chance to nab a few saves in 2025 depending on how the rest of the offseason unfolds.

The Guardians signed Frias on Thursday to a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to spring training.

Frias, 26, battled a shoulder problem in 2024 and struggled during his 9.2 major-league innings, yielding 16 runs (15 earned) with a 12:7 K:BB. He's collected a 28.4 percent strikeout rate at the Triple-A level, so the Guardians felt Frias was worth a shot on a no-risk, minor-league pact.

The White Sox acquired Gilbert from the Phillies on Wednesday in exchange for Aaron Combs.

Gilbert had been designated for assignment but will now join a new 40-man roster. The left-hander holds a career 4.23 ERA and 68:30 K:BB over 100 innings covering parts of four major-league seasons. Gilbert has experience as a starter and reliever and it's not clear what role the White Sox have planned for him.

The Rangers designated Anderson for assignment Monday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

The move frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for Joc Pederson, whose signing was officially announced. Anderson, 27, holds a 6.35 ERA and 59:24 K:BB over 62.1 relief innings across the last two seasons. He has a 32.7 percent strikeout rate at the Triple-A level, so it's possible Anderson draws interest via trade or waivers.

Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said Monday that he expects Whitlock (elbow) to pitch most, if not all, of the 2025 season, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

Breslow lumped Whitlock together with Lucas Giolito (elbow) in discussing the rehabs of the two pitchers, and Giolito should have the better shot of the two to be ready for Opening Day since he had his internal brace procedure two months earlier. Although, Whitlock could be used in relief in 2025, which could conceivably shorten his timetable.

The Tigers designated Horn for assignment Friday.

The move frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for the newly signed Gleyber Torres. Horn was claimed off waivers by the Tigers in November, and the left-handed reliever will now go through the waiver process again.

The Mariners signed Pomeranz to a minor-league contract on Dec. 5.

Pomeranz made eight appearances at Triple-A Oklahoma City in the Dodgers organization in 2024, allowing six runs with a 14:1 K:BB over nine innings. The 36-year-old hasn't pitched in the majors since 2021, having dealt with multiple arm injuries since then.