MLB Player News

Neris agreed to a one-year, $1.8 million contract with the Phillies on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

After being the team's primary closer in 2017, Neris struggled to the tune of a 5.10 ERA and lost the ninth-inning role. He found success in the majors after returning from a tune-up at Triple-A, posting a 2.04 ERA and a 35:5 K:BB in 17.2 innings. Even if he isn't getting save opportunities in 2019, his good strikeout numbers could offer some value in deeper leagues.

Nelson told MLB Network Radio on Wednesday that he expects to enter spring training 100 percent healthy. "That's the goal. I'm on track right now to throw my bullpens like normal leading into spring training."

Nelson spent the entire 2018 campaign recovering from a shoulder injury. Barring any setbacks, it sounds like the right-hander will be fully operational for the start of spring training, putting him in line to open the season in Milwaukee's starting rotation. The 29-year-old is a bit of a wild card for fantasy owners, but he could prove valuable if he's able to return to his pre-injury form (3.49 ERA, 10.2 K/9. 2.5 BB/9 across 175.1 innings in 2017).

Santillan was invited to Cincinnati's major-league spring training camp Wednesday.

Santillan reached Double-A for the first time in the middle of last season, making 11 starts for Pensacola with a solid 3.61 ERA. It would be a surprise to see him open the year in the majors, but more strong performances to start this season could lead to a debut at some point this year.

Santiago signed a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training with the Mets on Saturday, Matt Ehalt of The Bergen Record reports.

Santiago spent 2018 with the White Sox, starting seven games and appearing in 42 more in relief. His 4.41 ERA and 22.4 percent strikeout rate are respectable, but he walked 13.0 percent of opposing batters and finished with a 5.09 FIP. His FIP hasn't been below 5.00 since 2015. He'll likely be battling for a long-relief role in New York but could wind up making a handful of starts if things break his way.

Paredes signed a minor-league contract with the Phillies on Friday, Brandon Warne of ZoneCoverage.com reports.

Paredes had been with the Dodgers for the last two seasons, throwing 16 major-league innings. His career 4.50 ERA is unremarkable, with his 29.7 percent strikeout rate and 3.1 percent walk rate so far not being enough to overcome a very low 23.8 percent groundball rate. It will likely take an injury or two for him to claim a place in the Phillies' bullpen.

Carasiti signed a minor-league contract with the Cubs on Thursday, Brandon Warne of ZoneCoverage.com reports.

Carasiti has returned stateside after pitching in Japan in 2018. The 27-year-old spent time as a starter and reliever for the Yakult Swallows, posting a 4.18 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 73:43 K:BB in 94.2 innings. Carasiti will likely serve as organizational pitching depth in 2019.

Robertson, who signed a two-year, $23 million deal with the Phillies on Thursday, is not expected to be used as a traditional closer in 2019, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Instead, it sounds like the Phillies will use the veteran reliever in a more versatile high-leverage relief role, which suggests manager Gabe Kapler could once again mix and match in the ninth-inning (rather than settle on one closer) in order to leverage matchups. While Robertson could still possibly emerge as the primary closer at some point in 2019, he's worth considering in mixed-leagues even without a full-time closer gig given his strong ratios and impressive strikeout rate (3.23 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 11.8 K/9 across 69.2 innings in 2018).

Robertson signed to a two-year, $23 million contract with the Phillies on Thursday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports. The deal also includes a third-year club option worth $12 million.

As expected, Robertson opted to stick in the northeast after ending the 2018 season in New York. The 33-year-old is coming off another solid season in which he posted a 3.23 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 11.8 K/9 across 69.2 innings. Given his proven track record in the ninth inning -- he recorded north of 30 saves in three straight seasons with the White Sox from 2014-2016 -- Robertson figures to be the favorite (over incumbent Seranthony Dominguez) to emerge as Philadelphia's closer in 2019. Even without a full-time closer role, however, Robertson is still rosterable in mixed-league formats thanks to his strong ratios and impressive strikeout rate, and the Phillies could opt to mix and match in order to leverage matchups in the late innings, rather than settle on one closer.

Bass signed a minor-league contract with Cincinnati on Sunday, Brandon Warne of ZoneCoverage.com reports.

Bass became a free agent after struggling with injuries in 2018. He appeared in 16 games with the Cubs last season, posting a 2.93 ERA and 1.37 WHIP with 14 strikeouts over 15.1 innings as a reliever. Bass figures to begin the 2019 campaign with Triple-A Louisville.

Scott was traded from the Reds to the Diamondbacks on Sunday for cash considerations.

Scott was designated for assignment just a few days earlier, so perhaps he'll have a better shot at making the 40-man roster in Arizona. He appeared in nine games for the Red Sox in 2018, allowing six runs on 10 hits and five walks while striking out eight over 6.2 frames as a reliever.