MLB Player News

Nelson agreed to a one-year, $3.7 million deal with Milwaukee on Wednesday, avoiding arbitration, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Nelson did not pitch this past season after suffering a shoulder injury in September of 2017. According to general manager David Stearns, Nelson is expected to have a "relatively normal" offseason before the Brewers re-evaluate his condition when spring training rolls around. If the 29-year-old is deemed ready to go, he will provide a major boost for the Brewers in 2019.

Scott was claimed off waivers by the Reds on Monday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Scott spent most of the 2018 campaign with Triple-A Pawtucket, posting a 1.86 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 11.7 K/9 across 48.1 innings with the PawSox. He struggled across nine appearances with the big club, allowing six runs in 6.2 innings, though he posted a respectable 3.79 ERA and 0.98 WHIP across 35.2 innings with the Red Sox in 2017. Scott figures to work as a lefty specialist or middle-relief option for the Reds in 2019.

Diaz will be traded from the Mariners to the Mets on Monday once all physicals have been completed, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports. The Mets will also receive Robinson Cano and cash considerations, while the Mariners will receive Jay Bruce, Anthony Swarzak, Jarred Kelenic, Justin Dunn and Gerson Bautista.

The Mets acquire a top-tier closer, as Diaz saved 57 games last season on the back of a 1.96 ERA. That ERA was actually higher than his 1.61 FIP, as he struck out an incredible 44.3 percent of opposing batters while walking just 6.1 percent. It's highly unlikely that Diaz will reach 57 saves again, as that figure tied for the second-highest in MLB history, but he should remain an excellent reliever and should have plenty of save chances if the Mets keep improving their team.

Beck agreed to a minor-league contract with St. Louis on Friday, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

Beck will provide additional relief depth within the Cardinals' organization after appearing in 20 big-league games this past season split between the Mets and White Sox. He logged a 4.50 ERA and 1.59 WHIP with a poor 21:20 K:BB across 34 innings.

Rusin signed a one-year, $1.68 million contract with the Rockies on Thursday, avoiding arbitration.

After posting a 2.65 ERA across 85 innings in 2017, Rusin took a step back in 2018, making two trips to the disabled list and struggling to a 6.09 ERA and 1.50 WHIP across 54.2 innings. The southpaw ended the season on a high note, however, compiling a 2.08 ERA and 10:2 K:BB across 8.2 innings in September. The groundball pitcher should once again fill a middle-relief role for the Rockies in 2019.

Venditte was designated for assignment by the Dodgers on Wednesday.

Venditte was cast off the 40-man roster in order to make room for Adam McCreery, who was acquired from the Braves in a trade Wednesday afternoon. In 15 appearances with the Dodgers this past year, Venditte logged a 2.57 ERA and 1.00 WHIP. He will now take a spin through waivers to determine if he'll remain with Los Angeles.

Jansen (chest) is expected to start working out Monday at Dodger Stadium following heart surgery earlier this week, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Everything seems to be going as planned for Jansen following his procedure to fix an irregular heartbeat, so there shouldn't be any concern over his status heading into this upcoming spring. Aside from facing live hitters, he's been cleared to resume all baseball activities. In addition, Jansen spoke to MLB Network on Wednesday morning and emphasized that he won't have any problems pitching in the high-altitude conditions of Colorado in the future while mentioning that he will receive fluids each day the team is in Denver to make sure he's hydrated. All in all, Jansen said he's feeling great and is excited to get his heart rate up by getting back on the field next week. He should be considered one of the top ninth-inning options in 2019 and beyond.

Jansen (chest) is doing well and is expected to be ready for spring training after undergoing surgery on his heart Monday.

Jansen went under the knife to fix an irregular heartbeat that caused him trouble during the 2018 season. The procedure went as expected, and the 31-year-old closer remains on pace to take the field for spring training and to be ready for Opening Day.

Reyes (lat) is preparing for spring training as a starter, the St. Louis Post Dispatch reports.

The Cardinals are going to manage Reyes' workload carefully in 2019, regardless of what his role shapes up to be. Injuries limited him to just 27 innings in 2018, and considering that he lost all of 2017 recovering from Tommy John surgery, it's not unreasonable to think that Reyes may spend some portion of the season in the bullpen. In any case, the Cardinals will likely ensure that Reyes is completely healthy when spring training begins before his role is written in anything more than pencil, and regardless of where he begins the season, expecting anything close to a typical starter's workload for him is overzealous.

Iglesias inked a three-year contract extension that will take him through the 2021 season with the Reds.

Iglesias had previously signed a seven-year deal with the team back in 2014, but a provision allowed him the opportunity to opt out of that deal, which led both parties to an agreement on this extension. Instead of heading to arbitration the next three years, Iglesias has a secure contract until he becomes a free agent following the 2021 campaign. In 2018, he appeared in 66 games, posting a superb 2.38 ERA and 1.07 WHIP with 30 saves and 80 strikeouts in 72 innings of relief. The 28-year-old should be considered a quality asset for the coming years after converting 89 percent (64-of-72) of his save chances the past three seasons. Per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, the closer's deal is worth $24.125 million over the next three years.