MLB Player News

The Mets signed Hartwig to a minor-league contract Monday that includes an invitation to spring training, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Hartwig was recently non-tendered by the Mets but winds up remaining in the organization. Slated to turn 27 later this month, Hartwig missed a large portion of the 2024 season due to left meniscus surgery, although he returned late in the year. The righty reliever made 28 appearances for the Mets in 2023, collecting a 4.84 ERA and 30:15 K:BB over 35.1 frames.

Gillispie signed a one-year deal with Atlanta on Friday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Gillispie spent most of the 2024 regular-season with Triple-A Columbus, and over 27 games (including 15 starts) he went 5-7 with a 4.05 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 119:48 K:BB across 113.1 innings. He did make three appearances for the Guardians during the regular season, and across eight innings of work he allowed two runs on four hits and five walks while striking out eight batters. Gillispie will have an opportunity to carve out a role for himself either in Atlanta's starting rotation or out of the bullpen as a potential long-relief option.

The Cubs signed Kriske to a minor-league contract Tuesday, the pitcher announced on his X account.

Kriske, who turns 31 in February, spent the 2024 season at the Triple-A level split between the Yankees and Orioles organizations, holding a 3.39 ERA and 81:35 K:BB over 58.1 frames. The righty reliever has been roughed up in 20 major-league appearances, posting an 11.22 ERA and 25:17 K:BB across 21.2 innings.

Atlanta re-signed Kerr (elbow) to a minor-league contract Tuesday.

Kerr was non-tendered by Atlanta last week but is back in the organization as he continues his recovery from Tommy John surgery. The left-hander is expected to miss most, if not all, of the 2025 season.

The Mets signed Cabrera to a minor-league contract Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Cabrera, 28, compiled a 3.59 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 50:29 K:BB over 62.2 innings with the Blue Jays in 2024. The left-handed reliever flashes plus stuff, but he's struggled with walks and inconsistency.

Reid-Foley signed a one-year deal with the Mets on Friday to avoid arbitration, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Reid-Foley spent two separate stints on the Mets' injured list due to a right shoulder impingement, and he was officially shut down in late August after suffering a setback during his rehab assignment. When he was healthy, Reid-Foley proved to an effective relief option for the Mets as he posted a 1.66 ERA and 1.25 WHIP over 21.2 innings in 23 major-league outings.

Morgan agreed to a contract with the Cubs to avoid arbitration Friday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

The Cubs acquired Morgan from the Guardians on Wednesday, and he should serve as a key member of their bullpen in 2025. He's suffered from some inconsistency during four big-league seasons, though he posted a 1.93 ERA and 0.98 WHIP across 42 innings in 2024.

Thompson agreed to a contract with the Cubs on Friday to avoid arbitration, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Thompson has bounced between Triple-A Iowa and the big leagues for the last two seasons, but he was effective out of the bullpen across 30.1 innings for the Cubs in 2024 by maintaining a 2.67 ERA and 1.22 WHIP. His control (14.2 BB%) will likely keep him from a high-leverage role, but he should contribute as a reliever in 2025.

The Guardians traded Strzelecki to the Pirates on Friday in exchange for cash.

The right-hander was designated for assignment Tuesday in order to make room for Franco Aleman on the Guardians' 40-man roster, but Strzelecki will now claim a spot on Pittsburgh's 40-man instead. The 30-year-old put up a 5.01 ERA and 1.39 WHIP across 46.2 innings in the minors last season, and he will compete for a spot in the Pirates' bullpen during spring training.

Rainey was non-tendered by the Nationals on Friday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Rainey is coming off his first full campaign since undergoing Tommy John surgery. He understandably showed rust early on in 2024, but he managed a 2.88 ERA with a 22:11 K:BB across 25 innings following the All-Star break. That makes Friday's move mildly surprising, though Rainey should have the chance to latch onto another big-league roster.