MLB Player News

Adam signed a minor-league deal with the Cubs on Monday that includes an invitation to spring training, freelance baseball writer Robert Murray reports.

Adam was non-tendered by the Blue Jays in early December but it's not overly surprising to see him garner interest elsewhere after posting a 2.91 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 18:10 K:BB across 21.2 innings during 2019. The 28-year-old could slot into a middle relief role with a strong spring training.

Howard was invited to the Phillies' major-league spring training Monday.

Howard battled shoulder soreness last season, but he managed to progress to the Double-A level and record a 2.35 ERA with a 0.96 WHIP over 30.2 innings with Double-A Reading. While he's unlikely to open the season on the major-league roster, he'll get the chance to work with the big-league coaching staff and will likely make his debut in the majors sometime in 2020 if he continues to progress.

Voth's absence from the Nationals' World Series roster was due to a flare-up of his shoulder tendinitis, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Voth recorded a 3.30 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP in 43.2 innings for the Nationals last season, but missed over a month in the middle of the season with a shoulder injury, an issue which apparently didn't go away completely. That adds some injury risk for him heading into the 2020 campaign, though he's expected to be ready to go at the start of spring training.

Strahm agreed to a one-year contract with San Diego on Friday, avoiding arbitration.

Strahm began the 2019 season in the starting rotation before transitioning to a bullpen role later on. He finished with a 4.71 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 118:22 K:BB over 114.2 frames (16 starts).

Bowman and the Reds agreed to a one-year, $865,000 contract Friday, avoiding arbitration, freelance baseball writer Robert Murray reports.

Bowman remains a cheap middle-relief option for Cincinnati. In his fourth partial season in the big leagues, he recorded a 3.66 ERA in 32 innings of work.

Diaz and the Mets avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $5.1 million deal Friday, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

Diaz wasn't the player the Mets thought they traded for last season, as he struggled to a 5.59 ERA in 58 innings. His 39.0 percent strikeout remained excellent, however, and his 8.7 percent walk rate was only slightly worse than average. His big problem was the home run ball, as he gave up 2.3 HR/9, well above his 0.6 HR/9 mark from the season prior. He should still have the closing role heading into the upcoming season but won't have a particularly firm grasp on it should his struggles continue.

Lamet signed a one-year, $1.3 million deal with the Padres on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Lamet underwent Tommy John surgery in spring 2018 and returned to the mound for the Padres just before the All-Star break in July. The 27-year-old had a 4.07 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 105:30 K:BB over 73 innings (14 starts) and should factor into San Diego's starting rotation in 2020.

Jackson agreed to a one-year, $1.825 million deal with the Braves on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

This is his first of three years as an arbitration-eligible player. At one point last year Jackson was cruising as the Braves' closer, but he will be hard-pressed to regain that job anytime soon after the additions of Will Smith and Mark Melancon.

Chafin agreed to a one-year, $3.045 million deal with the Diamondbacks on Friday, avoiding arbitration, freelance baseball writer Robert Murray reports.

This is the southpaw's third and final year as an arbitration-eligible player before he hits the open market. His ERA has been under 4.00 in three straight seasons.

Estevez and the Rockies agreed to terms on a one-year, $1.08 million deal Friday, avoiding arbitration, freelance baseball writer Robert Murray reports.

Estevez's solid 3.75 ERA in 72 innings last season looks even better considering he calls Coors Field home. He struck out 26.3 percent of opposing batters while walking 7.5 percent.