MLB Player News

The Guardians signed Frias on Thursday to a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to spring training.

Frias, 26, battled a shoulder problem in 2024 and struggled during his 9.2 major-league innings, yielding 16 runs (15 earned) with a 12:7 K:BB. He's collected a 28.4 percent strikeout rate at the Triple-A level, so the Guardians felt Frias was worth a shot on a no-risk, minor-league pact.

The White Sox acquired Gilbert from the Phillies on Wednesday in exchange for Aaron Combs.

Gilbert had been designated for assignment but will now join a new 40-man roster. The left-hander holds a career 4.23 ERA and 68:30 K:BB over 100 innings covering parts of four major-league seasons. Gilbert has experience as a starter and reliever and it's not clear what role the White Sox have planned for him.

The Cubs signed Thielbar to a one-year contract Tuesday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Thielbar will turn 38 in January and had a down 2024 season, posting a 5.32 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 53:24 K:BB over 47.1 innings. However, he boasted a 30.6 percent strikeout rate and 7.0 percent walk rate from 2021 to 2023, so the left-handed reliever seems like a fine gamble on a one-year deal.

The Rangers designated Anderson for assignment Monday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

The move frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for Joc Pederson, whose signing was officially announced. Anderson, 27, holds a 6.35 ERA and 59:24 K:BB over 62.1 relief innings across the last two seasons. He has a 32.7 percent strikeout rate at the Triple-A level, so it's possible Anderson draws interest via trade or waivers.

Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said Monday that he expects Whitlock (elbow) to pitch most, if not all, of the 2025 season, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

Breslow lumped Whitlock together with Lucas Giolito (elbow) in discussing the rehabs of the two pitchers, and Giolito should have the better shot of the two to be ready for Opening Day since he had his internal brace procedure two months earlier. Although, Whitlock could be used in relief in 2025, which could conceivably shorten his timetable.

The Cubs signed Heller to a minor-league contract Monday, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Heller, 33, made eight appearances with the Pirates in 2024, posting an 11.25 ERA and 15:6 K:BB over 12 frames. He ended the season on the injured list with a shoulder problem, but the Cubs must feel confident in the reliever's current health status.

Tarnok signed a contract with the Marlins on Sunday that includes an invitation to spring training, Aram Leighton of Just Baseball reports.

Tarnok appeared in 21 games between Triple-A Las Vegas and Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2024, producing an 8.16 ERA with 34 strikeouts over 28.2 innings. He'll now get a shot at proving himself with Miami in the spring. Tarnok will be looking to make his first appearance in the majors since the 2023 campaign with Oakland.

The Padres signed Gillaspie to a minor-league contract Dec. 12, per his MLB.com player profile.

Gillaspie is a 27-year-old right-hander who began his professional career playing on the independent circuit before getting a look in the Brewers organization in 2018. He's appeared in the majors each of the past three campaigns -- the first two with Baltimore and last season with San Diego -- compiling a 5.02 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 25:8 K:BB over 37.2 innings covering 37 regular-season appearances (all out of the bullpen). Gillaspie will serve as organizational bullpen depth now that he's back in the Padres' minor-league system.

The Tigers designated Horn for assignment Friday.

The move frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for the newly signed Gleyber Torres. Horn was claimed off waivers by the Tigers in November, and the left-handed reliever will now go through the waiver process again.

The Phillies signed Kuhnel to a minor-league contract on Dec. 21, Steve Potter of PhilliesBaseballFan.com reports.

Kuhnel, who turns 30 in February, has collected a career 5.86 ERA and 76:24 K:BB over 93.2 innings covering parts of five seasons at the major-league level. The big righty will give the Phillies some experienced relief depth.