MLB Player News

McMillon cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

The Phillies claimed McMillon off waivers from the Marlins earlier this month, but he'll lose his 40-man roster spot again with Philadelphia protecting some prospects from the Rule 5 draft. McMillon's career has been greatly affected by arm injuries, and he averaged 95.3 mph with his fastball in 2024 after he sat at 99 mph with the pitch in 2023.

The Cubs are expected to designate Alzolay (elbow) for assignment Tuesday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Alzolay might not be ready to pitch again until 2026 after having Tommy John surgery in August, and evidently the Cubs were unwilling to wait out his rehab and also pay him in his second year of arbitration eligibility. The 29-year-old broke out as the Cubs' closer in 2023 and is sure to draw interest via waivers or trade.

The Mets signed Hagenman to a one-year, $850,000 contract Monday, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Hagenman has never pitched at the big-league level, but the Mets saw enough promise in the 28-year-old to add him to their 40-man roster. The right-hander spent all of the 2024 season at Triple-A Worcester in the Red Sox organization, posting a 4.91 ERA and 98:31 K:BB over 91.2 innings while splitting time between the rotation and bullpen.

Martinez accepted the Reds' $21.05 million qualifying offer for 2025 on Sunday, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.

The right-hander declined his $12 million player option with the Reds for 2025, but he'll remain with the organization after being extended the qualifying offer. Martinez started in 16 of his 42 appearances in 2024 and had a 3.10 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 116:18 K:BB across 142.1 innings. Given the salary bump he should begin 2025 working exclusively as a starter.

Jacques signed a minor-league contract with the Dodgers on Saturday that includes an invitation to spring training, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Jacques spent most of his time in the minors last season, turning in a 5.40 ERA and 1.58 WHIP across 41.2 innings between the Red Sox's and Diamondbacks' Triple-A affiliates. Given the 29-year-old lefty's subpar performance and the Dodgers' existing pitching depth, chances are Jacques spends the majority of the year at Triple-A Oklahoma City in 2025.

Graterol underwent right shoulder labrum surgery Thursday.

The Dodgers expect the reliever to miss the first half of the 2025 season but be back sometime after the All-Star break. Graterol made just seven appearances during the regular season due to a nagging shoulder issue, although he did return to pitch in the World Series. The 26-year-old will be in his third of four arbitration years this offseason.

The Dodgers outrighted Brogdon to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday.

The move frees up a spot on the 40-man roster. Brogdon -- who missed much of the 2024 season with a foot injury -- will remain in the organization as relief depth.

The Rockies signed O'Loughlin to a minor-league contract Thursday that includes an invitation to spring training, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

O'Loughlin, 24, reached the big leagues for the first time in 2024 with the Athletics, allowing five runs over 9.2 innings. He split time between the rotation and bullpen at hitter-friendly Triple-A Las Vegas, holding a 6.04 ERA and 80:34 K:BB across 73 frames. The lefty could compete for a swingman role with the Rockies but is likely to begin the season at Triple-A Albuquerque.

The Cardinals are not mulling a move to the rotation for Helsley, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

All 239 appearances for Helsley at the major-league level have come in relief, but he came up through the minors as a starting pitcher. While there has been some speculation the Cardinals might consider giving the 30-year-old another chance to start, it does not appear that is in the plans following Helsley's major-league-leading 49 saves in 2024. They will, however, reportedly entertain trade offers for Helsley, who is entering his final year of arbitration eligibility.

Paredes agreed to a minor-league contract with Atlanta on Monday, which includes an invitation to spring training, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Paredes returned to the big leagues in 2024 after spending the entire 2023 campaign at Triple-A. He made stops with the Cubs and Brewers, posting a 1.66 ERA and 1.06 WHIP with a 16:10 K:BB over 18 regular-season relief appearances (21.2 innings). Paredes will get the opportunity to make the Opening Day roster with his new club, who is looking for bullpen help following the news that Joe Jimenez is out for the next 8-to-12 months while recovering from knee surgery.