MLB Player News

Middleton signed a one-year, $6 million contract with the Cardinals on Thursday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

The deal also includes a $5 million club option for 2025. Middleton was a quality middle reliever for the Yankees and White Sox last season, maintaining a 3.38 ERA and 1.24 WHIP across 50.2 innings -- his heaviest workload in the majors since 2017. He's unlikely to factor into the saves picture with his new club, but he should bolster the middle of the bullpen.

Small was designated for assignment by the Brewers on Thursday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Small was selected in the first round of the 2019 Draft and rose quickly through Milwaukee's minor-league system. However, he's made just four big-league appearances and shifted to a relief role in 2023. Due to his former prospect pedigree, Small could be claimed by a team on waivers.

Hall was traded from the Orioles to the Brewers along with Joey Ortiz and the 34th pick in the 2024 MLB Draft in exchange for Corbin Burnes on Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Hall was once viewed as a top prospect as a starting pitcher, though he's made only one start in 29 appearances in the majors. He was effective as a reliever in 2023, posting a 3.26 ERA and 1.19 WHIP across 19.1 innings for Baltimore after a disrupted offseason caused him to begin the year at less than full strength, though he also covered 49 frames in the minors. However, Hall should have a renewed chance to join a big-league rotation with Milwaukee, and he will likely compete for the role in spring training with the likes of Colin Rea and Joe Ross.

Rucker was designated for assignment by the Cubs on Thursday, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

The 29-year-old reliever loses his spot on the 40-man roster in favor Hector Neris, whose signing became official. Rucker has put up a 4.96 ERA and 120:50 K:BB covering 123.1 innings out of the Cubs' bullpen over the last three seasons.

Hughes signed a minor-league contract with the Diamondbacks on Thursday and received an invitation to major-league spring training.

Hughes holds a 3.91 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in the majors since debuting in 2022, but he surrendered 11 earned runs in just 13.2 innings last season before undergoing season-ending knee surgery in June. The 28-year-old southpaw will now get a chance to redeem himself in the spring, and he could become an important part of Arizona's bullpen if he returns to his 2022 form.

Gsellman signed a minor-league contract with the Nationals on Wednesday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Gsellman left affiliated ball in 2022 to pursue a career overseas in Japan, where he recorded a 4.32 ERA and 1.52 WHIP across 139.2 total innings. The 30-year-old righty will likely head to Triple-A Rochester and serve as organizational depth as he attempts to work his way back to the majors.

Peralta signed a four-year, $16.5 million contract with the Padres on Wednesday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

The unusual contract contains three opt-out clauses. Peralta really struggled with his control in 2023 in walking 30 batters over 54 innings, but he still managed to post a sub-3.00 ERA for the second year in a row. The 32-year-old has a career strikeout rate of just 19.6 percent, but he also boasts a 52.9 percent groundball rate and can handle lefties and righties. He will handle high-leverage innings for San Diego.

Snider was designated for assignment by the Diamondbacks on Tuesday.

Snider is the 40-man roster casualty as the Diamondbacks officially add Joc Pederson. The 28-year-old was a waiver claim of Arizona's last month and will go through that process again. He holds a career 5.93 ERA and 33:28 K:BB over 54.2 innings in the majors.

Lovelady signed a minor-league contract with the Cubs on Monday, Driveline Baseball reports.

Lovelady had a throwing session at Driveline on Monday and came out of it with a deal from the Cubs. The left-handed reliever missed a chunk of the 2023 season with a strained forearm, but it would appear he is now healthy. Lovelady holds a career 5.26 ERA and 64:25 K:BB over 65 innings covering parts of four major-league seasons.

Edward signed a minor-league contract with the Cubs on Saturday that includes an invitation to spring training, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

It's a return to where Edwards first reached the big leagues and had his most successful seasons. Edwards posted a 3.69 ERA and 24:17 K:BB over 31.2 frames with the Nationals in 2023. He missed the last three months of the season with a shoulder issue but presumably will be healthy heading into camp.