MLB Player News

Hughes signed a minor-league contract with the Diamondbacks on Thursday and received an invitation to major-league spring training.

Hughes holds a 3.91 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in the majors since debuting in 2022, but he surrendered 11 earned runs in just 13.2 innings last season before undergoing season-ending knee surgery in June. The 28-year-old southpaw will now get a chance to redeem himself in the spring, and he could become an important part of Arizona's bullpen if he returns to his 2022 form.

Gsellman signed a minor-league contract with the Nationals on Wednesday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Gsellman left affiliated ball in 2022 to pursue a career overseas in Japan, where he recorded a 4.32 ERA and 1.52 WHIP across 139.2 total innings. The 30-year-old righty will likely head to Triple-A Rochester and serve as organizational depth as he attempts to work his way back to the majors.

Peralta signed a four-year, $16.5 million contract with the Padres on Wednesday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

The unusual contract contains three opt-out clauses. Peralta really struggled with his control in 2023 in walking 30 batters over 54 innings, but he still managed to post a sub-3.00 ERA for the second year in a row. The 32-year-old has a career strikeout rate of just 19.6 percent, but he also boasts a 52.9 percent groundball rate and can handle lefties and righties. He will handle high-leverage innings for San Diego.

Snider was designated for assignment by the Diamondbacks on Tuesday.

Snider is the 40-man roster casualty as the Diamondbacks officially add Joc Pederson. The 28-year-old was a waiver claim of Arizona's last month and will go through that process again. He holds a career 5.93 ERA and 33:28 K:BB over 54.2 innings in the majors.

Lovelady signed a minor-league contract with the Cubs on Monday, Driveline Baseball reports.

Lovelady had a throwing session at Driveline on Monday and came out of it with a deal from the Cubs. The left-handed reliever missed a chunk of the 2023 season with a strained forearm, but it would appear he is now healthy. Lovelady holds a career 5.26 ERA and 64:25 K:BB over 65 innings covering parts of four major-league seasons.

Edward signed a minor-league contract with the Cubs on Saturday that includes an invitation to spring training, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

It's a return to where Edwards first reached the big leagues and had his most successful seasons. Edwards posted a 3.69 ERA and 24:17 K:BB over 31.2 frames with the Nationals in 2023. He missed the last three months of the season with a shoulder issue but presumably will be healthy heading into camp.

Hernandez signed a minor-league contract with the Padres on Friday that includes an invitation to spring training.

Hernandez elected free agency after losing his spot on the Padres' 40-man roster back in November, but he's now back with the club as a non-roster invitee. The 29-year-old was knocked around during his brief time in the majors in 2023 but held a 3.84 ERA and 82:21 K:BB over 61 innings between Double-A San Antonio and Triple-A El Paso.

Ottavino signed a one-year, $4.5 million contract with the Mets on Saturday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Ottavino declined his player option worth $6.75 million earlier in the season, and the fact $4 million of that salary would have been deferred likely played a part in that decision. He'll now stick with the Mets on a cheaper deal and likely reprise his role as a high-leverage reliever. The 38-year-old righty logged a 3.21 ERA and 1.22 WHIP with 62 strikeouts in 61.2 innings last season while collecting a career-best 12 saves. Less ninth-inning work is likely in 2024 with closer Edwin Diaz back and healthy, however.

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.