MLB Player News

Curtiss signed a minor-league contract with the Diamondbacks on Tuesday that includes an invitation to spring training.

Most of Curtiss' time last season was spent at Triple-A Albuquerque, where he turned in a 3.96 ERA and 1.32 WHIP over 50 regular-season frames. However, his recent performance in the majors hasn't been as successful, as he's surrendered 14 earned runs in 22 regular-season innings since 2023. He'll have an opportunity to earn a spot at the end of Arizona's bullpen during spring training, but chances are he reports to Triple-A Reno to begin the 2025 campaign.

McGough signed a minor-league contract with the Diamondbacks on Tuesday that includes an invitation to spring training.

The Diamondbacks declined their half of McGough's $4 million mutual option earlier in the offseason, but they will ultimately retain the righty's services on a minor-league deal. The 35-year-old reliever struggled mightily in the big leagues last season, posting a 7.44 ERA and 1.68 WHIP across 32.2 innings. Barring a drastic turnaround in spring training, he'll likely fill in as bullpen depth for Triple-A Reno.

The Marlins claimed Henriquez off waivers from the Twins on Tuesday.

Henriquez has made 19 regular-season appearances at the major-league level, posting a 2.90 ERA and 24:8 K:BB over 31 innings. The 24-year-old does not have minor-league options remaining, so he will either be on the Marlins' Opening Day roster or have to go through waivers again.

The Marlins designated Curry for assignment Tuesday.

The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for waiver claim Ronny Henriquez. Curry holds a career 4.35 ERA and 98:43 K:BB over 147 innings covering parts of three major-league seasons. He stands a decent chance of clearing waivers.

Covey signed a minor-league contract with Atlanta on Tuesday that includes an invite to major-league spring training, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Covey recently elected free agency after being designated for assignment by the Mets and will now join a division rival. Covey spent most of last season rehabbing from a shoulder injury and last pitched in the majors in 2023, when he had a 3.77 ERA and 1.51 WHIP in 29 regular-season appearances between the Phillies and Dodgers.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Tuesday that Assad was diagnosed with a mild oblique strain and will be shut down from throwing for a few days, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

The shutdown period is expected to be brief, so the right-hander may not end up missing too much of camp. Assad is poised to compete for the final spot in Chicago's rotation once healthy, but too much of a delayed start to spring training could affect his buildup for the regular season.

Minter (hip) isn't guaranteed to be ready for Opening Day, though the Mets are optimistic he'll be available, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The left-hander joined New York on a two-year, $22 million contract in mid-January and is poised to serve as a setup man for closer Edwin Diaz. According to Mike Puma of the New York Post, Minter is expected to throw his first bullpen of the spring in late February. He underwent hip surgery in August and should be in game-ready condition early in the season even if he's not fully good to go by Opening Day.

Staumont signed Tuesday with the Reds on a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to big-league spring training.

Staumont split time between the Twins and Cubs organizations in 2024, making all 25 of his big-league appearances with the former club and submitting a 3.70 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 18:14 K:BB in 24.1 regular-season innings. He'll get the chance to compete for a middle-relief role in Cincinnati's Opening Day bullpen during spring training.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Monday that Assad is dealing with oblique soreness and will undergo imaging Monday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

It's not clear when Assad was injured, but the issue is significant enough that he's being sent in for an MRI. If healthy, Assad will compete for the final spot in the Cubs rotation after a season where he may have been pitching over his head. He logged a 3.73 ERA in 147 innings while all of his ERA estimators (xERA, FIP, xFIP, SIERA) were above 4.60. Colin Rea, Ben Brown and Jordan Wicks are the other top candidates for the final spot in Chicago's rotation.

Junk signed a minor-league contract with the Marlins on Monday.

Junk's deal includes an invitation to big-league spring training, where he'll get the chance to compete for a spot in Miami's Opening Day bullpen. The 29-year-old has seen MLB action in each of the last four campaigns, but he hasn't covered more than 17 innings in any of those seasons while bouncing around across five different organizations. Over his 15 career MLB appearances (seven starts) spanning 40 innings, Junk owns a 6.75 ERA and 1.78 WHIP.