MLB Player News

The Pirates and Bednar avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $5.9 million contract Thursday, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Bednar had a rough 2024 campaign, losing his closer job while collecting a 5.77 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 58:28 K:BB across 57.2 innings of work. He could get another shot in the ninth inning in 2025 but won't be handed the job.

The Giants and Doval avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $4.525 million contract Thursday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Doval was eligible for arbitration for the first time. The 27-year-old lost his closer job and was sent to the minors for a while in 2024, finishing with a 4.88 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 78:39 K:BB over 59 frames. However, Doval still boasts nasty stuff and should be a high-leverage arm again for the Giants in 2025 if he can throw enough strikes.

The Cubs and Pearson avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.35 million contract on Thursday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Pearson posted a 2.73 ERA in 19 appearances after being acquired by the Cubs at the trade deadline, although that came with just 23 strikeouts in 26.1 innings. The former top prospect could potentially find himself working in high-leverage spots out of the Cubs' bullpen in 2025.

The Padres and Morejon avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2 million contract Thursday, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.

Morejon was in his second year of arbitration eligibility. The left-hander was excellent out of the San Diego bullpen in 2024, putting up a 2.83 ERA and 71:21 K:BB over 63.2 regular-season innings. However, the club is thinking about stretching him out this spring as a candidate to join its rotation.

The Reds and Diaz avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $4.5 million contract Thursday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

It's a substantial raise for Diaz, who was in his first year of arbitration eligibility. The closer saved 28 games for the Reds in 2024 but had a lackluster season overall, collecting a 3.99 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 55:31 K:BB across 56.1 frames. Diaz is slated to open 2025 in the closer role again, but new manager Terry Francona might not give him a long leash.

Ginkel and the Diamondbacks agreed to a one-year, $2.425 million contract Thursday to avoid arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander will nearly double his salary in his second year of arbitration eligibility. Ginkel recorded five saves and 18 holds with a 3.21 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 77:15 K:BB over 70 innings last season, and he should continue to work in a high-leverage role for Arizona in 2025.

Megill agreed to a one-year, $1.94 million contract with the Brewers on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

The 31-year-old was in his first year of arbitration eligibility and should enter spring training as the favorite for saves after the Brewers traded closer Devin Williams to the Yankees last month. Megill tallied 21 saves and six holds with a 2.72 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 50:14 K:BB across a career-high 46.1 MLB innings during the 2024 regular season.

Ferguson agreed to a one-year, $3 million contract with the Pirates on Thursday, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Ferguson put up a disappointing 4.64 ERA over 62 appearances in 2024 between the Yankees and Astros but did record 67 strikeouts across 54.1 innings out of the bullpen. He could end up being the left-handed setup man in Pittsburgh, though Stumpf relays that the Pirates intend to let Ferguson get stretched out over the winter before potentially placing him on a starter's schedule in spring training.

The Diamondbacks and Nelson (shoulder) avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $825,000 contract Thursday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Nelson had been eligible for arbitration for the first time. The left-hander missed most of the 2024 season after undergoing thoracic outlet surgery in May, and while he should have a shot to be ready for the start of the 2025 campaign, it's a notoriously tricky operation to come back from.

The Giants designated Warren for assignment Wednesday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Sam Huff, who was claimed off waivers from Texas. Warren made six appearances for the Giants in 2024, allowing two runs with a 7:5 K:BB over 10.2 innings. He and the Giants had avoided arbitration with a one-year contract agreement back in November.