MLB Player News

Neris signed a one-year, $9 million contract with the Cubs on Saturday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Neris posted the best numbers of his career in 2023 with a 1.71 ERA and 1.05 WHIP while striking out 77 batters in 68.1 frames and picking up 31 holds. The 34-year-old righty will immediately slide into a high-leverage role with Chicago, and he could be in the mix for save chances alongside Adbert Alzolay. Neris' new deal includes a $9 million team option for 2025 that turns into a player option if he pitches in 60 games this year -- a mark he has hit in each of the past three seasons.

Festa signed a minor-league contract with the Padres on Friday and received an invitation to major-league spring training.

Festa pitched in parts of four seasons for the Mariners before being DFA'd in August, accumulating a 4.32 career ERA and 1.32 WHIP in 93.2 total innings. He'll get a chance to make the Padres' Opening Day roster, though his role likely caps out as a middle reliever.

Peterson signed a minor-league contract with the Dodgers on Friday that includes an invitation to spring training, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Peterson, 29, spent last season in the Rockies organization split between Double-A Hartford and Triple-A Albuquerque, holding a 3.46 ERA and 49:25 K:BB over 41.2 relief innings. The tall right-hander has never appeared in the big leagues.

Curtiss signed a minor-league contract with the Rockies on Thursday that includes an invitation to spring training.

Curtiss underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow in August but should be ready for the start of the 2024 season. The 30-year-old reliever has collected a career 3.81 ERA and 103:32 K:BB over 106.1 innings covering parts of six major-league seasons.

Chapman signed a contract with Pittsburgh on Monday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Chapman is headed to his fourth team in the last three seasons, as he made 43 appearances for the Yankees in 2022 and then began the 2023 campaign in Kansas City before finishing out the year in Texas. Following a 30-save season in 2021 with the Yankees, the fireballer has struggled to hold down a closer's role, securing 15 total saves over the last two years. David Bednar will undoubtedly remain the closer in Pittsburgh after putting together the best season of his young career in 2023, but Chapman will likely be in line for high-leverage opportunities and the occasional save chance in 2024.

Junk is looking to sign a contract with a Nippon Professional Baseball team in Japan, Yakyu Cosmopolitan reports.

Junk's agent listed the SoftBank Hawks among the clubs he's negotiating with on his client's behalf. The 28-year-old Junk is currently on the Brewers' 40-man roster, but it appears he's destined to head overseas prior to spring training.

The Giants plan to use Hicks as a conventional starter this season, Danny Emerman of KNBR 680 San Francisco reports.

The goal is for the right-hander to be ready to throw five innings and/or 75 pitches at the start of the season. Hicks totaled just 66.2 frames between the regular and postseason in 2023 and his professional high is 105, which came back in 2017 when he was last used as a regular starter. Therefore, his workload will almost surely have to be managed at some point. The Giants could always reverse course and put Hicks in the bullpen if starting doesn't work out, but for now they're committed to him being a member of their rotation.

Gonsalves signed a minor-league contract with the Dodgers on Tuesday that includes an invitation to spring training, J.P. Hoornstra of DodgersNation.com reports.

Gonsalves spent the 2023 season spread across four minor-league levels in the Cubs organization, holding a 5.72 ERA over 22 appearances in his first year back from Tommy John surgery. While he had a 5.72 ERA with 22 walks in 28.1 innings, he also struck out an impressive 44. The left-hander last appeared in the majors in 2021.

Gilbert signed a minor-league contract with the Reds on Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Gilbert, 30, pitched 17.1 relief innings with the Diamondbacks in 2023, posting a 5.19 ERA but a 19:5 K:BB. The left-hander is capable of starting or relieving and it's not clear which role the Reds have planned for him. In either case, he's likely headed to Triple-A Louisville for the start of the 2024 season.

The Reds designated Duarte (shoulder) for assignment Saturday.

With the signing of Brent Suter becoming official Saturday, Duarte will be pushed off the Reds' 40-man roster. The 27-year-old righty posted a 3.69 ERA and 1.39 WHIP across 31.2 innings last season and could be an attractive waiver option for other clubs in search of bullpen help.