MLB Player News

Winder signed a minor-league contract with the Diamondbacks on Thursday that includes an invitation to spring training, Alex D'Agostino of Sports Illustrated reports.

Winder appeared in four games for the Twins last season, allowing three runs and striking out 10 batters over nine innings. He didn't have nearly the same amount of success in the minors, however, finishing the Triple-A season with a 6.15 ERA and 1.66 WHIP across 41 frames. Until he can get back to finding consistent success, most of his time will likely be spent at Triple-A Reno.

Atlanta designated Gillispie for assignment Thursday, Lindsay Crosby of AthlonSports.com reports.

Gillispie signed a one-year deal with Atlanta earlier this winter with hopes of earning a spot in the team's starting rotation or in the bullpen as a long reliever. Instead, he'll be put on waivers to make room for Jurickson Profar, who agreed to a three-year deal with Atlanta on Thursday. The 27-year-old Gillispie fared well in a small sample size with the Guardians last season, allowing just two earned runs over eight innings, and he finished with a 4.05 ERA in Triple-A over 113.1 frames.

Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said Thursday that while he anticipates Scott receiving plenty of save chances, he will not be the team's set closer, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Scott might very well be the favorite to nab the most saves for the Dodgers after inking a four-year, $72 million contract, but the team plans to play matchups in the late innings rather than have a dedicated closer. In addition to Scott, Kirby Yates, Blake Treinen and Michael Kopech (forearm) also figure to be in the mix for save opportunities.

The Blue Jays traded Eisert to the Rays on Thursday in exchange for cash considerations.

Eisert was dropped from the Jays' 40-man roster Monday to make room for new signee Anthony Santander, but the former will reclaim a roster spot as he changes organizations. Eisert reached the majors for the first time last season, allowing three earned runs in 6.2 innings across three appearances. He'll most likely begin the 2025 campaign with Triple-A Durham.

The Brewers outrighted Bukauskas to Triple-A Nashville on Thursday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Bukauskas has been outrighted previously, so he has the ability to decline the assignment and become a free agent if he wants. The right-handed reliever holds a career 5.04 ERA and 27:11 K:BB over 30.1 innings covering parts of three major-league seasons.

Diaz began his throwing program at home in Puerto Rico in order to get off to a better start in the 2025 season, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. "I started throwing or loosening up my arm at the end of October," Diaz said. "I feel like since then, I've been able to work on my throwing and get my arm loose and ready for spring training. I think just my physique and how I've been able to work as well has been much better."

Diaz's ERA soared like a jet airplane early in the season, peaking at 7.47 after a terrible outing against the Dodgers in May. Over the final four months of the season, Diaz posted a 2.83 ERA and 1.14 WHIP, though his K% remained lower than his previous seasons. The Reds haven't added any real competition to the back end of the bullpen to date, so it appears that Diaz will get a full chance to redeem himself to start 2025.

The Guardians signed Pint to a minor-league contract Wednesday.

The No. 4 overall pick in the 2016 First-Year Player Draft, Pint has failed to live up to expectations, in large part due to an inability to find the strike zone. He made five appearances with the Rockies over the last two seasons, allowing nine runs with a 7:8 K:BB over 3.2 frames. He'll be in minor-league camp during spring training and likely begin the 2025 season at Triple-A Columbus.

The Guardians designated Avila for assignment Wednesday.

The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Paul Sewald. Avila, 28, held a 3.81 ERA and 82:36 K:BB over 82.2 regular-season innings for the Guardians in 2024. There might be interest in Avila via trade or waivers, but his lack of minor-league options will limit his appeal.

The Guardians signed Sewald to a one-year, $6 million contract Wednesday that includes a $10 million mutual option for 2026, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

He'll get a $1 million buyout if the mutual option isn't exercised, bringing the total guarantee to $7 million. Sewald missed some time with injury and lost his closer job with the Diamondbacks in 2024, ultimately finishing with a 4.31 ERA and 43:10 K:BB over 39.2 innings. However, from 2021 to 2023 he held a 2.95 ERA and had a 33.9 percent strikeout rate. Sewald will help set up for Emmanuel Clase in Cleveland.

The Blue Jays signed Lovelady to a minor-league contract Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Lovelady posted a 4.46 ERA and 1.31 WHIP over 34.1 innings between the Cubs and Rays in 2024. The left-handed reliever has limited lefty hitters to a .232/.312/.342 batting line in his career and will compete for a spot in the Blue Jays' bullpen.