MLB Player News

Johnson agreed Monday with the Padres on a two-year, $5 million contract that includes a club option for 2022, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

The 28-year-old was once a prized pitching prospect in the Cubs organization, but he moved overseas last winter after struggling across his 38 relief appearances in the big leagues between 2017 and 208. While pitching for the Hanshin Tigers of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball in 2019, Johnson generated renewed interest from MLB teams after turning in a dominant season out of the bullpen, compiling a 1.38 ERA and 91:13 K:BB in 58.2 innings. The Padres will add him to an already strong relief corps headlined by closer Kirby Yates, with Johnson likely to fill a middle-innings role initially.

Yacabonis agreed to a minor-league deal with the Padres on Thursday, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

Yacabonis struggled with Baltimore throughout the 2019 campaign, accruing a 6.80 ERA and 1.83 WHIP with a 33:24 K:BB over 41 innings. He'll get a fresh start in San Diego, though he'll have to earn his way back to the big leagues.

Hu signed a minor-league contract with the Padres on Thursday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

The right-hander spent all of 2019 in the minors, where he posted a 7.74 ERA with a 45:24 K:BB over 54.2 innings. Despite his struggles, he'll get a chance to bounce back within the Padres' organization. Given Hu's past experience in the majors, he will likely appear in major-league spring training as a non-roster invitee.

Crockett signed a minor-league deal with the Diamondbacks on Wednesday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

The 28-year-old spent time in the majors in each season from 2014 to 2018, posting a 3.74 ERA over 74.2 innings. He did not pitch at any level last season after being released by Oakland during spring training.

Barraclough signed a minor-league contract Tuesday with the Padres that includes an invitation to spring training, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

Barraclough elected free agency after being designated for assignment at the end of October, and he'll receive his next opportunity in San Diego. The 29-year-old never got his feet under him in 2019, struggling to a 5.61 ERA, 1.75 WHIP and 40:21 K:BB over 33.2 innings between the Nationals and Giants. Barraclough was a solid bullpen piece for the Marlins as recently as 2017, so he could carve out a role in the Friars' bullpen if he can turn things around.

Harvey cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Albuquerque on Monday.

Harvey made his big-league debut last season, throwing 18 innings for the Yankees and Rockies. He failed to impress, posting a 5.00 ERA and a 17:13 K:BB.

Payano signed a minor-league contract with the Mets on Thursday, Andersen Pickard of MLB Daily Dish reports.

Payano made his major-league debut for the majors in 2019, where he posted a 5.73 ERA with a 1.86 WHIP over six appearances (four starts). The report doesn't explicitly say so, but it wouldn't be surprising to see the right-hander report to big-league camp for spring training given his past experience.

Garcia agreed to a contract with the Marlins on Thursday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Garcia saw a heavy workload in 2019, recording a 3.61 ERA with a 0.87 WHIP over 62.1 innings for the Dodgers. The terms of the deal are unknown and the finalization is pending a physical, but if all goes well, the 29-year-old could play a big role in the Marlins' bullpen.

Treinen (back) signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Dodgers on Wednesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Treinen lost his job as Oakland's closer in 2019 as he struggled with shoulder and back issues, but he is expected to be fully healthy for spring training. The right-hander will pitch out of the Dodgers' bullpen after posting a career-worst 4.91 ERA and 1.62 WHIP last season, although the ability to perform in lower-leverage situations behind Kenley Jansen could allow Treinen to bounce back in 2020.

Lee's contract was purchased by the Brewers on Tuesday.

The 27-year-old pitched 47.2 innings between the Double-A and Triple-A levels in the Orioles' organization last season, where he recorded a 5.85 ERA and a 49:23 K:BB prior to being released in July. Lee has yet to pitch in the majors, but he posted a 4.10 ERA and 32 strikeouts over 26.1 innings with St. Paul of the American Association last year.