MLB Player News

The Nationals designated Abbott for assignment Tuesday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

The Nats needed to free up some space on the 40-man roster prior to the Rule 5 protection deadline and Abbott is one of the casualties. Abbott posted a 6.64 ERA across 22 relief appearances with the big club in 2023 and seems likely to pass through waivers unclaimed.

Cronin (back) was sent outright Friday to Triple-A Rochester, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Cronin passed through waivers unclaimed after being designated for assignment by the Nationals on Monday. The 26-year-old left-hander battled back problems in 2023 and struggled to a 5.02 ERA and 13:14 K:BB in 14.1 innings with Triple-A Rochester. He underwent surgery in August to repair a herniated disc.

The Padres re-signed Carlton (elbow) to a minor-league contract Friday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Carlton was removed from the Padres' 40-man roster earlier this month and elected free agency, but he's now back with the Friars on a minor-league pact. The reliever missed the final three months of this season with an elbow issue, and it's not clear what his current health situation is.

De Los Santos cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday.

De Los Santos has lost his spot as the Pirates do some 40-man roster maneuvering, but he'll remain in the organization. The 25-year-old holds a career 4.14 ERA and 44:24 K:BB over 50 relief innings at the big-league level.

Atlanta claimed Perdomo (elbow) off waivers from the Pirates on Monday.

Perdomo underwent Tommy John surgery last month and will be sidelined until 2025, but Atlanta felt he was worth the roster spot, anyway. The big left-hander held a 3.72 ERA and 33:11 K:BB across 29 innings for the Pirates in 2023.

Nance (shoulder) cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Iowa on Monday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

He's no longer on the Marlins' 40-man roster but will stay in the organization. Nance missed a large chunk of the 2023 campaign with shoulder problems.

The Padres outrighted Hernandez to Triple-A El Paso on Monday.

San Diego dropped Hernandez from the 40-man roster to clear a spot for right-handed reliever Jeremiah Estrada, who was claimed off waivers from the Cubs. Hernandez racked up 82 strikeouts and notched seven saves over 61 innings between El Paso and Double-A San Antonio in 2023, but he didn't impress during his brief time in the big leagues with San Diego in September. He worked three innings across two appearances and gave up four earned runs on three hits and four walks while striking out five.

The Padres claimed Estrada off waivers from the Cubs on Monday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Estrada has a big arm, having struck out 21 over 16.1 innings at the major-league level and 180 in 117 frames in the minors. He's also sported terrible control at all levels. Still, the Padres saw his swing-and-miss stuff worthy of a gamble.

Uelmen (forearm) cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Monday.

Uelmen remains in the organization but is no longer on the Phillies' 40-man roster. He missed a large chunk of 2023 with a flexor strain and it's unclear what his current health situation is.

The Phillies claimed Fleming off waivers from the Rays on Monday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

With Aaron Nola and Michael Lorenzen ticketed for free agency, Fleming gives the Phillies some added starting pitching depth to kick off the offseason, though he's far from a lock to come of spring training as a member of the Opening Day rotation. Even while the Rays dealt with numerous injuries to their rotation in 2023, Fleming wasn't able to earn a long-term stay in the big leagues, as he made just one appearance for Tampa Bay from June onward. The southpaw finished his final season in Tampa Bay with a 4.70 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 25:19 K:BB in 51.2 big-league innings.