MLB Player News

Kontos agreed to a minor-league contract with the Cubs on Friday, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

Kontos spent time with the Pirates, Indians and Yankees last season without much success, finishing with a 4.39 ERA in 26.2 innings while striking out just 12.9 percent of opposing hitters. He reportedly increased his velocity by as much as three mph at Driveline over the offseason, though it would take a major leap for him to be anything other than a low-leverage reliever.

Wilson signed a contract with the Mets on Friday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Wilson spent the last season and a half with the Cubs and posted a 3.86 ERA and 1.59 WHIP over 72.1 innings. The 31-year-old's 6.5 BB/9 is somewhat concerning, but his 3.4 BB/9 over the previous five seasons could mean that's an anomoly. According to Jon Heyman of FancredSports.com, it's a two-year deal worth $10 million. Wilson helps solidify the Mets bullpen and should serve as the top left-handed option in front of closer Edwin Diaz.

Pomeranz agreed to a one-year deal with the Giants on Wednesday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Pomeranz battled injuries for much of last campaign, throwing just 74 innings and posting an ugly 6.08 ERA. That number was well-deserved, as his strikeout rate fell 4.3 points to 19.2 percent, while his walk rate jumped 3.5 points to 12.8 percent. There's no guarantee the injury issues will dissipate over the offseason, but the lefty did manage four straight seasons with an ERA no higher than 3.66 from 2014 to 2017, so there's certainly upside in the move for San Francisco. A move to a very pitcher-friendly home park will also help boost his value.

Miller was designated for assignment by the Diamondbacks on Monday, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Miller was the roster casualty needed to free up a spot for Wilmer Flores, who officially signed a one-year deal with the Diamondbacks on Monday. The southpaw spent the majority of 2018 with Triple-A Reno, struggling to a 7.71 ERA, 2.60 WHIP and 52:63 K:BB across 42 innings of relief.

President of baseball operations John Mozeliak recently said that Reyes (lat) has been making "continued steady progress with his throwing progression" as part of the Cardinals' instructional league program in Jupiter, Fla. this offseason, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Despite starting games for the big club in 2016 and 2018, Reyes retains prospect eligibility after a pair of season-ending injuries prevented him from cementing his spot in the St. Louis rotation. Reyes, who required surgery in early June to address a torn right lat, isn't expected to face any limitations this spring, though the Cardinals have yet to formally decide how or where he'll be used to open the season. The 24-year-old will presumably audition for a rotation gig with the big club, but as a means of monitoring his workload coming off injury, the Cardinals could deploy Reyes out of the bullpen or even send him to Triple-A Memphis once camp comes to a close. On a more fortunate note, any restrictions Reyes might face this season aren't likely to be overly significant, with Mozeliak relaying to Goold on Saturday that getting only 50 innings of relief from right-hander wouldn't be ideal for his development.

President of baseball operations John Mozeliak said Saturday that he imagines Hudson opening the season as a member of the big-league bullpen, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Hudson was viewed as one of many high-end starting prospects in the St. Louis farm system entering 2018, but the 24-year-old was deployed exclusively out of the bullpen upon getting the call to the majors shortly after the All-Star break. Relying heavily on his big fastball, Hudson accrued a 2.63 ERA and generated a 60.8 percent groundball rate across 27.1 innings, though a 19:18 K:BB and 1.35 WHIP limited his fantasy appeal. The Cardinals haven't closed the door on Hudson earning a look as a starter at some point -- in fact, Mozeliak said the righty would be on a starter's throwing program this spring -- but the organization's considerable rotation depth will relegate Hudson to a setup role for the time being.

Kay was invited to the Mets' major-league spring training Thursday.

Kay has yet to appear at Double-A, so he doesn't have a real shot to break camp with the Mets, but he'll get a chance to show off his skills against major-league competition in front of the team's brass. Across stops at Low-A Columbia and High-A St. Lucie in 2018, the southpaw compiled a 4.26 ERA and 123 strikeouts across 122.2 innings (23 starts).

Torres signed a minor-league contract with the Padres on Thursday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports. The deal includes an invitation to spring training.

Torres spent most of the 2018 campaign with Triple-A Syracuse, compiling a 3.02 ERA, 1.046 WHIP and 51 strikeouts in 50.2 innings. He also made nine appearances for the Nationals, struggling to a 6.52 ERA and 1.24 WHIP across 9.2 frames of relief. Entering his age-36 season, Torres is nothing more than an organizational depth piece.

Erceg was invited to the Brewers' major-league spring training camp Wednesday.

Erceg earned the invitation despite a subpar showing for Double-A Biloxi last season, in which he posted a .248/.306/.382 line with 13 homers in 123 games. Those numbers simply aren't good enough for a third baseman, so Erceg's odds of earning his major-league debut this year appear low unless his output improves significantly.

Matzek signed a minor-league contract with Arizona on Tuesday, Robert Murray of The Athletic reports.

Matzek has made 24 starts and one relief appearance in the big leagues, though none have come since 2015. The southpaw has been out of affiliated baseball since 2016. Last season with the Texas AirHogs of the independent American Association, he threw 88.2 innings with an unimpressive 5.89 ERA.