MLB Player News

Weiss signed a minor-league contract with the Cardinals on Thursday.

Weiss spent all of last season in the Twins' farm system, though a shoulder injury prevented him from playing in a Triple-A game until July. After recovering, he turned in a 5.40 ERA and 1.88 WHIP across 25 innings at St. Paul and will likely remain an organizational depth piece for his new organization.

Gibaut signed a minor-league contract with the Reds on Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Gibaut missed the vast majority of 2024 due to forearm and calf injuries, and he was non-tendered by the Reds earlier this winter. The 31-year-old reliever owns a 3.77 ERA over 112.1 innings since joining the Reds in 2022, and he'll attempt to work his way back into Cincinnati's bullpen during spring training.

The Reds designated White for assignment Wednesday.

The Reds needed to make room on the 40-man roster after acquiring Taylor Rogers from San Francisco on Wednesday, and White will end up as the odd man out. The 25-year-old righty spent most of last season with the Rangers' Triple-A affiliate, accumulating a 5.64 ERA and 1.57 WHIP across 99 innings. Regardless of whether he clears waivers or gets claimed by another organization, White will almost certainly head back to Triple-A to begin 2025.

The Reds acquired Rogers and cash considerations from the Giants on Wednesday in exchange for Braxton Roxby, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Rogers' strikeout rate dipped to 25.7 percent in 2024, but he still had a very good season in collecting a 2.40 ERA and 64:22 K:BB over 60 innings. The left-hander instantly becomes the Reds' best left-handed setup man and a candidate to take over at closer if Alexis Diaz is unable to bounce back from his rough 2024 campaign.

The Dodgers and Vesia avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.25 million contract Wednesday that includes a $3.55 million club option for 2026, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Vesia had filed at $2.35 million and the Dodgers at $2.05 million earlier this month, but the two sides will avoid a hearing. The lefty reliever had a stellar 2024 campaign, collecting a 1.76 ERA and 87:33 K:BB over 66.1 regular-season frames. The Dodgers' bullpen is loaded, but Vesia should see high-leverage opportunities again in 2025.

Pressly said at his introductory press conference with the Cubs on Wednesday that he was told by the team he would close some games this season, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Pressly went on to compliment incumbent closer Porter Hodge and added that he planned to go into spring training competing for the ninth-inning gig. While Hodge fared well as the Cubs' closer down the stretch of the 2024 season, Pressly should enter 2025 as the clear favorite for the role. The 36-year-old has regressed over the last two seasons but has still been plenty effective, holding a 3.54 ERA and 132:34 K:BB over 122 regular-season frames.

The Mets signed Stanek to a one-year, $4.5 million contract Wednesday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

He can earn an additional $500,000 in incentives. Stanek was acquired by the Mets at the 2024 trade deadline, and between the regular season and postseason, he turned in a 5.18 ERA and 31:11 K:BB over 24.1 innings for New York. The right-handed reliever will help set up ahead of closer Edwin Diaz in 2025.

The Pirates designated Alvarado for assignment Wednesday.

The move creates a spot on the 40-man roster for Adam Frazier, whose signing was officially announced. Alvarado has yet to appear in a big-league game but was given a major-league contract by the Pirates earlier this offseason. If he clears waivers, he'll be in camp as a non-roster invitee.

The Cubs designated Festa for assignment Tuesday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

The move frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Ryan Pressly. It's the second time this month that Festa has been designated for assignment, as he was acquired from the Rangers in early January after being booted from their 40-man roster. He posted a 5.70 ERA and 1.23 WHIP across 23.2 innings between the Mets and Rangers in 2024.

Borucki and the Pirates agreed on a minor-league contract Monday, which includes an invitation to major-league spring training, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Borucki spent the 2024 season as a member of the Pirates organization, producing an inflated 7.36 ERA and 1.64 WHIP with 13 strikeouts over 11 innings in 14 appearances with Pittsburgh. Additionally, he compiled a 4.76 ERA with 21 punchouts over 11.1 innings in 12 appearances with Triple-A Indianapolis. The left-hander will get a shot to prove himself with the big-league club at spring training and if he is able to crack the team's 26-man roster, he'd earn a base salary of $1.15 million in 2025.