MLB Player News

The Mariners designated Diaz for assignment Monday.

The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Casey Legumina. Diaz, 28, has been unimpressive over parts of four big-league seasons, compiling a 4.80 ERA and 32:27 K:BB across 45 innings. He should stand a good chance of passing through waivers unclaimed.

The Mariners acquired Legumina from the Reds on Monday in exchange for cash considerations.

Legumina had been designated for assignment and will now join a new 40-man roster. The 27-year-old reliever holds a 6.95 ERA and 18:11 K:BB across 22 innings covering parts of two seasons at the major-league level.

Joyce is likely to open 2025 as the Angels' closer, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Joyce enjoyed a breakout season in 2024, posting a 2.08 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 33:14 K:BB over 34.2 innings across 31 appearances. He worked his way up to a high-leverage role and recorded six holds and four saves over his final 18 appearances. The right-hander certainly has closer-type stuff -- he recently said that he thinks he can top the 105.5 mph fastball he tossed against the Dodgers last year, per Bollinger -- and it appears he'll have the chance to begin 2025 in that role. The Angels don't have much in the way of closer-type arms to offer Joyce competition, so his biggest obstacle to success may be the shaky control he's demonstrated throughout his pro career and his elevated injury risk due to his unmatched velocity.

Silseth (elbow) could compete for the Angels' fifth-starter role during spring training, but he could open the campaign as a reliever or in the minors, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Silseth began 2024 in the Angels' big-league rotation, but he made just two starts before suffering an elbow injury that ultimately landed him on the 60-day IL. The righty did come back to pitch in the minors beginning in early June and made seven starts in Triple-A, but he finished the season on the minor-league IL with continued elbow troubles that required surgery. The procedure wasn't Tommy John, and Silseth is expected to be ready for the start of spring training, but his role for the coming campaign is very much up in the air. Jack Kochanowicz and Reid Detmers may both have a leg up for the fifth spot in the rotation, and while Silseth could be given a chance to compete for that role, he's also a candidate to pitch out of the bullpen or even to open back in Triple-A since he still has minor-league options remaining.

With the Tigers adding Tommy Kahnle on Wednesday, Foley may end up splitting closer duties with the newcomer as well as Tyler Holton, Will Vest and Beau Brieske, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Foley easily led the team in saves last season with 28, while Holton had eight. However, manager A.J. Hinch has shown a willingness to play the matchups at the end of games, so the lefty Holton and others could mix in. As for Kahnle, he's been an effective reliever the past few years, though he's never had more than two saves in a season, so he probably will mostly work as a setup man. Foley is the top Detroit reliever to target at this point, but the fluid nature of the club's bullpen may limit his upside to a degree in 2025.

Assad is likely vying for the Cubs' fifth rotation spot this spring, with Jordan Wicks among his top competitors, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Assad made a career-high 29 starts a season ago and held his own, compiling a 3.73 ERA and 124 strikeouts across 147 innings. A year earlier, the righty served in a swing role, as he made 10 starts and 22 relief appearances. The Cubs likely want Assad to stick in the rotation, though the top four spots seem spoken for by Justin Steele, Shota Imanaga, Jameson Taillon and new addition Matthew Boyd. That leaves Assad, Wicks and possibly others to compete for the No. 5 job. Given Assad's starting experience from 2024, he's likely the favorite at this point.

Morejon will enter spring training as a reliever, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

The Padres are in need of a fifth starter with Joe Musgrove expected to miss all or most of the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery last October. Morejon has some experience starting in the majors and made some sense as a candidate for the open rotation spot, but manager Mike Shildt said Saturday that the southpaw "has found a really nice niche in the bullpen" and is expected to continue in that role. Morejon enjoyed his best big-league campaign in 2024, posting a 2.83 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 71:21 K:BB while notching two saves and 12 holds over 63.2 innings spanning 60 relief appearances.

Whitlock (elbow) said last Monday that he expects to have a "regular spring training," Ian Browne of MLB.com reports. "They've got me built out, so I'll just join right in with the group and just go from there," the pitcher said.

Transitioning from starter to reliever hastens Whitlock's return to action. The right-hander won't need to build up to the 70-80 pitch range over the spring, which gives him a chance to be available for Opening Day.

Santana lost his arbitration hearing against the Pirates on Saturday and will make $1.4 million in 2025, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

After being claimed off waivers from the Yankees in June, Santana emerged as a reliable high-leverage reliever, posting a 2.44 ERA and 0.92 WHIP over 44.1 innings with Pittsburgh. Despite his drastic turnaround, he will make $700,000 less in 2025 than the $2.1 million he filed for at the arbitration deadline. The 28-year-old figures to remain a high-leverage arm heading into the new season, and he could take over as the primary closer if David Bednar is unable to bounce back from his disappointing 2024 campaign.

Leiter lost his arbitration case against the Yankees on Saturday and will make $2.05 million in 2025, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Leiter posted a 4.98 ERA and 1.71 WHIP after being traded from Chicago to New York at last season's trade deadline. His underwhelming performance in pinstripes likely caused the arbitrators to side with the club and will ultimately result in him making $450,000 less than the $2.5 million he filed for. The 33-year-old righty is expected take on a role in middle relief for New York in 2025.