MLB Player News

Gilbert signed a minor-league contract with the Reds on Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Gilbert, 30, pitched 17.1 relief innings with the Diamondbacks in 2023, posting a 5.19 ERA but a 19:5 K:BB. The left-hander is capable of starting or relieving and it's not clear which role the Reds have planned for him. In either case, he's likely headed to Triple-A Louisville for the start of the 2024 season.

The Reds designated Duarte (shoulder) for assignment Saturday.

With the signing of Brent Suter becoming official Saturday, Duarte will be pushed off the Reds' 40-man roster. The 27-year-old righty posted a 3.69 ERA and 1.39 WHIP across 31.2 innings last season and could be an attractive waiver option for other clubs in search of bullpen help.

The Mets claimed Kranick off waivers from the Pirates on Friday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Kranick is on the move to a new organization one week after being designated for assignment. The right-hander missed most of 2023 while working his way back from Tommy John surgery but will enter 2024 healthy. He's posted a 5.56 ERA and 36:22 K:BB across nine starts and two relief appearances at the big-league level.

Hicks signed a four-year, $44 million contract with the Giants on Friday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

The kicker here is that the Giants plan to use Hicks as a starter, which comes as quite a surprise. Hicks' only experience in the majors as a starter came early in 2022 with the Cardinals, when he posted a 5.47 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 25:21 K:BB over 26.2 innings. His 204 other big-league appearances have all been in relief, including all 65 last season. The Giants always have the option of eventually moving Hicks back to the bullpen if starting doesn't work out, of course. The 27-year-old held a 3.29 ERA and 81:32 K:BB across 65.2 frames for the Cardinals and Blue Jays in 2023.

Ginkel signed a one-year contract with the Diamondbacks on Thursday to avoid arbitration.

Ginkel has posted consecutive solid seasons, though 2023 marked an apparent breakout. He earned 12 saves and holds and posted a 70:23 K:BB across 65.1 innings. Paul Sewald should be locked into the closer role in Arizona, but Ginkel could be his primary setup man.

Mantiply signed a one-year, $935,000 contract with the Diamondbacks on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Mantiply lost his role as a high-leverage option out of the Arizona bullpen in 2023, as he posted a 4.62 ERA across 39 frames in the majors. He saw a significant dip in strikeouts and his lack of velocity could continue to lead to inconsistent results.

Thompson signed a one-year, $1.4 million contract with the Diamondbacks on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Thompson struggled for the first half of the 2023 season with the Rays, but he posted a pristine 0.69 ERA and 0.54 WHIP across 13 innings after being picked up by Arizona. While that's a limited sample of success, he projects to play a key role in the Diamondbacks' bullpen this season.

Smith signed a one-year, $2.2 million contract with the Mets on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Smith saw his performance decline in 2023, though he notched a career-high 56.1 innings and 15 combined saves and holds. With Edwin Diaz getting a clean bill of health, Smith projects to occupy a setup role at best in 2024.

Soto signed a one-year contract with the Phillies on Thursday to avoid arbitration.

Soto saw his saves total diminish significantly in 2023 after being traded from Detroit to Philadelphia last offseason. He still managed an impressive 24 holds and also posted an 8.8 percent walk rate -- by far the best mark of his career. Jose Alvarado is the current favorite for the closer role, but with Craig Kimbrel out of the picture, this could be a bullpen to watch in spring training.

Chargois signed a one-year contract with Miami on Thursday to avoid arbitration.

Chargois was effective out of Miami's bullpen in 2023, maintaining a 3.61 ERA with a 1.25 WHIP across 42.1 innings. He managed four holds and one save but pitched primarily in lower-leverage situations.