MLB Player News

The Rockies claimed Herget off waivers from the Cubs on Friday.

Herget has now gone from Atlanta to Chicago to Colorado since September. The righty was one of the better relievers in the American League in 2022 with the Angels when he posted a 2.48 ERA and 0.91 WHIP while notching nine saves, but he has a 4.57 ERA and 1.38 WHIP over the last two seasons and has spent substantial time in the minors.

Brown will undergo a scan on his neck in mid-November, with the hope that he will be cleared to throw without restrictions this offseason, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Brown didn't pitch after early June this season due to a benign area of concern in his neck. The Cubs seem optimistic that he will head into spring training healthy, but they won't know for sure until the results of the exam are in. Brown split time between the rotation and bullpen with the Cubs in 2024, holding a 3.58 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 64:19 K:BB over 55.1 innings. If healthy, he would likely compete for a spot in the rotation in 2025.

Jimenez is expected to mis the next 8-to-12 months while recovering from surgery to repair damaged cartilage in his left knee, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

This news came out of the blue for Jimenez, who was one of Atlanta's top relievers during the 2024 campaign. A timeline for his return should come into focus as he begins to progress in his rehab, but it appears he'll be sidelined for the first half of the 2025 season if not longer.

Simpson cleared waivers and was outrighted off the Marlins' 40-man roster Monday.

A 27-year-old southpaw, Simpson had surgery in April to repair the ulnar nerve in his left elbow and was able to return late in the year with a rehab assignment before being assigned to Triple-A. Simpson logged a 7.62 ERA, 1.77 WHIP and a 19:7 K:BB in his final 13 innings last season and has never reached the big leagues.

The Cubs designated Herget for assignment Monday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Rob Zastryzny, who was claimed off waivers. Herget himself was a waiver claim of the Cubs but never made an appearance for them.

The Cubs claimed Zastryzny (elbow) off waivers from the Brewers on Monday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

It's a return to his original organization for Zastryzny, who was drafted by the Cubs and spent his first three major-league seasons in Chicago. The lefty reliever ended the season on the injured list with elbow tendinitis but looks to be healthy headed into the offseason.

The Phillies claimed McMillon (elbow) off waivers from the Marlins on Monday.

McMillon ended the 2024 season on the injured list with an elbow injury, but the Phillies are evidently comfortable with his health situation. The right-handed reliever holds a 1.69 ERA and 21:5 K:BB over 16 innings during parts of two seasons at the major-league level.

The Pirates outrighted Mattson to Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Mattson is no longer on the 40-man roster but will stick around in the organization. He allowed three runs over 5.1 relief innings for the Pirates this season.

The Pirates outrighted Jefferies to Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Jefferies has been outrighted previously, so he could elect free agency if he wants. The right-hander ended the season on the 60-day injured list with an elbow injury, but he had been making rehab starts so he should be healthy heading into the offseason.

The Pirates outrighted Heller (shoulder) to Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Heller ended the season on the 60-day injured list with a shoulder issue. He's off the 60-day IL but will not return to the 40-man roster. It's not clear how healthy his shoulder is now.