MLB Player News

While Kilian figures to compete for a starting job in spring training, he currently projects to fall short of earning a spot in the Cubs' rotation, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Holdovers Shota Imanaga, Justin Steele, Jameson Taillon and Javier Assad all seem positioned for rotation spots. The same is true for veteran addition Matthew Boyd. That would leave Kilian, who is out of minor-league options, looking at a long-relief role if he sticks with the team. Assad is the least experienced of those starters and could get pushed in camp, but he pitched well enough in 2024 across 29 starts and figures to have the inside track at this point. Kilian won't have a ton of fantasy value if he's stuck in Chicago's bullpen.

The Blue Jays designated Petersen for assignment Tuesday, Scott Mitchell of TSN.ca reports.

Petersen was claimed off waivers from Miami early in the offseason, but the Blue Jays will now move on from him in order to create a roster spot for Max Scherzer. Petersen, 30, allowed 13 earned runs in 19.2 innings between the Dodgers and Marlins last season, but a 1.64 ERA across 33 Triple-A frames could capture the attention of bullpen-needy clubs browsing the waiver wire.

The Yankees re-signed Hill to a one-year, $2.5 million contract Tuesday that includes a $3 million club option for 2026, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

The buyout on the option is $350,000, so Hill will be guaranteed at least $2.85 million. Hill was released by the White Sox last June after putting up a 5.87 ERA and 13:10 K:BB over 23 innings. However, he quickly latched on with the Yankees and posted a 2.05 ERA and 1.02 WHIP over his final 44 regular-season innings before allowing just one earned run over 10 playoff appearances. The southpaw reliever should get some high-leverage work for the Yankees.

The Angels signed Gonzalez to a minor-league contract Jan. 14.

Gonzalez posted a 3.86 ERA but an ugly 11:13 K:BB over 23.1 innings in 2024 with the Yankees. He will provide the Angels with some left-handed relief depth.

The Twins signed Coulombe to a one-year, $3 million contract Tuesday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Coulombe missed much of the 2024 campaign following surgery to remove bone chips from his pitching elbow, but he's been excellent over the last two seasons when healthy, collecting a 2.56 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 90:17 K:BB over 81 regular-season innings. He'll be the primary lefty setup man ahead of closer Jhoan Duran.

Festa was outrighted to Triple-A Iowa on Monday, per MLB's transactions log.

Festa was booted from the 40-man roster Tuesday to clear a spot for Ryan Pressly. The 31-year-old will report to Triple-A after failing to draw interest while on waivers.

The Rays designated Eisert for assignment Monday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for the signing of Ha-Seong Kim (shoulder). Eisert was just acquired from the Blue Jays in late January for cash considerations but will now be exposed to waivers.

Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto said Monday that Santos has already reported to the team's spring training complex and has been throwing bullpen sessions, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Santos made only eight appearances for Seattle in 2024 due to multiple arm issues, but he finished the season healthy and will head into spring training without limitations. The 25-year-old can be a key member of the Mariners' bullpen if he can stay on the bump, but he's a major health risk.

Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto said Monday that Brash (elbow) should be ready for the start of spring training and a season debut in the third week of April is the best-case scenario for the reliever, Shannon Drayer of SeattleSports.com reports.

While everything with Brash's recovery from last May's internal brace procedure has come along swimmingly, Dipoto acknowledged the uncertainty with how the righty will respond to throwing in Cactus League games. Brash will begin the season on the injured list either way, but the hope is that the stint will be a short one. The 26-year-old boasts a career 31.9 percent strikeout rate and will be in line for high-leverage relief work once he's ready.

Taylor will not be ready for the start of spring training after suffering a right lat strain last week during his offseason throwing program, Shannon Drayer of SeattleSports.com reports.

Given the nature of the injury and how recent it was, it's possible Taylor's readiness for Opening Day is in question. However, more should be known about a potential timetable deeper into spring training. Taylor looked good in 21 appearances out of the Mariners' bullpen in 2024, posting a 3.72 ERA and 25:7 K:BB over 19.1 innings.