MLB Player News

The Padres re-signed Patino (elbow) to a minor-league contract Monday.

Patino was non-tendered by San Diego in November but returns to the organization as he continues his rehab from April 2024 Tommy John surgery. The right-hander is unlikely to be ready to pitch until around midseason.

The Reds acquired White from the Rangers on Monday in exchange for cash considerations.

White had been designated for assignment but will now join a new 40-man roster. The 25-year-old held a 5.64 ERA and 87:48 K:BB over 99 innings in 2024 at Triple-A Round Rock, his second straight disappointing season. However, White is still young and was formerly a top prospect, so he's not a bad roll of the dice for Cincinnati. White has options remaining and will likely begin the 2025 season at Triple-A Louisville.

Anderson was traded from the Rangers to the Brewers in exchange for Mason Molina on Thursday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Anderson was designated for assignment Monday to make room for Joc Pederson on the Rangers' 40-man roster, though it's not necessarily a big surprise for another team to show interest in him. He's posted strikeout rates of 38.3 and 28.3 percent with Triple-A Round Rock in each of the last two seasons, giving him enough strikeout upside to contribute out of a big-league bullpen.

The Cubs signed Thielbar to a one-year contract Tuesday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Thielbar will turn 38 in January and had a down 2024 season, posting a 5.32 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 53:24 K:BB over 47.1 innings. However, he boasted a 30.6 percent strikeout rate and 7.0 percent walk rate from 2021 to 2023, so the left-handed reliever seems like a fine gamble on a one-year deal.

The Cubs signed Heller to a minor-league contract Monday, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Heller, 33, made eight appearances with the Pirates in 2024, posting an 11.25 ERA and 15:6 K:BB over 12 frames. He ended the season on the injured list with a shoulder problem, but the Cubs must feel confident in the reliever's current health status.

Tarnok signed a contract with the Marlins on Sunday that includes an invitation to spring training, Aram Leighton of Just Baseball reports.

Tarnok appeared in 21 games between Triple-A Las Vegas and Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2024, producing an 8.16 ERA with 34 strikeouts over 28.2 innings. He'll now get a shot at proving himself with Miami in the spring. Tarnok will be looking to make his first appearance in the majors since the 2023 campaign with Oakland.

The Padres signed Gillaspie to a minor-league contract Dec. 12, per his MLB.com player profile.

Gillaspie is a 27-year-old right-hander who began his professional career playing on the independent circuit before getting a look in the Brewers organization in 2018. He's appeared in the majors each of the past three campaigns -- the first two with Baltimore and last season with San Diego -- compiling a 5.02 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 25:8 K:BB over 37.2 innings covering 37 regular-season appearances (all out of the bullpen). Gillaspie will serve as organizational bullpen depth now that he's back in the Padres' minor-league system.

The Phillies signed Kuhnel to a minor-league contract on Dec. 21, Steve Potter of PhilliesBaseballFan.com reports.

Kuhnel, who turns 30 in February, has collected a career 5.86 ERA and 76:24 K:BB over 93.2 innings covering parts of five seasons at the major-league level. The big righty will give the Phillies some experienced relief depth.

The Phillies signed Zuniga to a minor-league contract on Dec. 13.

Zuniga has battled injuries the last two seasons and posted a 5.03 ERA and 16:8 K:BB across 19.2 frames during his time in the majors. The 26-year-old is likely to start the 2025 campaign at Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

The Giants re-signed Burgos to a minor-league contract on Dec. 14.

Burgos made one appearance for the Giants in 2024 before being removed from their 40-man roster, but he'll stick around in the organization on a minors pact. The 26-year-old posted a 1.69 ERA and 27:5 K:BB across 26.2 innings at Triple-A Sacramento in 2024.