MLB Player News

The Yankees traded King, Drew Thorpe, Randy Vasquez, Jhony Brito and Kyle Higashioka to San Diego on Wednesday in exchange for Juan Soto and Trent Grisham, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

King has put together two consecutive great seasons, logging a 2.60 ERA and 1.10 WHIP across 155.2 innings since 2022. He's been used most often as a reliever throughout his career, though he was stretched out into a starting role during the second half of last year. Given the Padres' glaring need for rotation arms, it's likely King retains a starting job in 2024.

Smeltzer signed a minor-league contract with the Marlins on Wednesday, Andersen Pickard of Prime Time Sports Talk reports.

Smeltzer was pushed off the 40-man roster in Miami at the end of the regular season and then elected to become a free agent, but he is back as organizational depth for the 2024 campaign. The 28-year-old left-hander owns a career 4.32 ERA and 112:41 K:BB in 162.1 career major-league innings.

Koch signed a minor-league contract with the Rockies on Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Koch appeared in 39 games for the Rockies in 2023, posting a 5.12 ERA and 1.29 WHIP across 38.2 innings. He'll compete for a job in Colorado's Opening Day bullpen.

The Marlins plan to stretch Puk out during spring training as they consider him for a rotation spot, Isaac Azout of SBNation.com reports.

All 142 appearances for Puk at the major-league level have come in relief, but he initially began his pro career as a starter with the Athletics. At this point, it seems like a long shot that Puk can be healthy and effective as a starter, but the Marlins are at least willing to give it a test drive.

Tonkin signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Mets on Tuesday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

The 2023 campaign marked Tonkin's return to the majors after six seasons, and he logged a 4.28 ERA and 1.09 WHIP with a 75:23 K:BB across 80 innings. The 34-year-old righty will likely operate as a multi-inning reliever in a Mets bullpen that struggled to find consistent success last season.

Roberts (elbow) signed a minor-league contract with the Cubs on Saturday.

Roberts was non-tendered by the Cubs last month but is now back in the fold as organizational relief depth. The 26-year-old right-hander did not pitch in 2023 while recovering from Tommy John surgery, though he is expected to be fully recovered by the beginning of spring training in 2024.

Heller signed a minor-league contract with the Pirates on Tuesday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Heller, 32, posted a 3.86 ERA and 16:11 K:BB over 18.2 innings in 2023 with Atlanta. He'll provide Pittsburgh with some right-handed relief depth.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Monday that Diaz is "fully healthy" after completing his recovery from the patellar tendon surgery he required on his right knee last March, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Coming off a brilliant 2022 campaign in which he converted 32 of 35 save chances while posting a 1.31 ERA and striking out 118 over 62 innings, Diaz profiled as arguably the top closer in fantasy drafts heading into last spring, but his season was quickly torpedoed before it even started after he injured his knee while celebrating a win for Team Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic. Diaz didn't experience any setbacks while completing what had been expected to be a six-month recovery from surgery, and though he had hoped to pitch at some point in September, the Mets chose not to activate him as they played out the string on a non-contending season. Mendoza wasn't willing to fully commit to Diaz being in store for a normal spring training, but the right-hander is seemingly facing no restrictions in his throwing program so far this offseason and should settle back into the closer's role for the Mets by the time Opening Day arrives.

Scrubb signed a minor-league contract with the Mets on Saturday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Scrubb holds a 3.32 ERA and 1.48 WHIP across 43.1 frames in his career from his time with the Astros in 2020-21. Injuries and a lack of interest in free agency have kept Scrubb out of action since then. Considering how long it's been since Scrubb has pitched in a game, he will likely slide into an organizational depth role with the Mets.

Kelly signed a one-year contract with the Dodgers on Saturday, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

The Dodgers declined Kelly's $9.5 million club option earlier in the offseason, but the team will retain the 35-year-old reliever -- likely at a lower salary. Kelly put up a 4.12 ERA and 1.19 WHIP across 39.1 innings in 2023, though his numbers significantly improved after being traded to Los Angeles from the White Sox in July (1.74 ERA, 0.87 WHIP in 10.1 innings). It's unlikely Kelly receives many save opportunities given his injury history and the Dodgers' already-strong bullpen, though he could still be used fairly often in high-leverage situations.