MLB Player News

The Padres and King avoided arbitration Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $4 million contract with a $15 million mutual option for 2026, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

The buyout on the option is $3.75 million, with the possibility of it reaching $8 million if he hits all his incentives. The structure of the deal provides the Padres with some payroll wiggle room, which could lessen the need to trade either King or Dylan Cease. The right-handed King collected a 2.95 ERA and 201:63 K:BB over 173.2 regular-season innings with the Padres in 2024.

The Cubs signed Hughes to a minor-league contract Friday that includes an invitation to spring training, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

Hughes was drafted by the Cubs in the 16th round of the 2017 Draft and briefly served as the team's closer in 2022, but his career has been sidetracked since then by knee problems and other injuries. The left-hander made 15 appearances with the Diamondbacks in 2024, posting an 8.15 ERA and 21:10 K:BB across 17.2 frames. He'll compete for a bullpen job with Chicago.

Orioles general manager Mike Elias said Friday that Bautista (elbow) may not be a full-go during spring training, but he's still expected to be ready for Opening Day, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Bautista has been throwing off a mound since August and will be 16 months removed from Tommy John surgery by the start of spring training, but the Orioles will still bring him along slowly in camp. It's not clear when he might make his Grapefruit League debut, but it doesn't appear he's in any danger of beginning the regular season on the shelf. The 29-year-old righty remains the favorite to lead Baltimore in saves in 2025, but the O's have options for ninth-inning work in Seranthony Dominguez, Yennier Cano and Gregory Soto if the team opts to ease Bautista into high-leverage work.

Avila rejected an outright assignment and became a free agent Thursday.

Avila was designated for assignment by the Guardians Jan. 22 and subsequently cleared waivers. He's had some success as a middle reliever across the last two seasons, so it's possible he'll sign a short-term big-league deal elsewhere in time for spring training.

Brasier was designated for assignment by the Dodgers on Thursday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

The Dodgers made their signing of Kirby Yates official, with Brasier losing his spot on the roster as a result. Brasier had a strong 3.54 ERA and 0.96 WHIP with a 25:5 K:BB across 28 innings in 2024, so he has a good shot to land elsewhere either via a waiver claim or trade.

The Reds designated Legumina for assignment Thursday.

With Austin Hays officially signing with Cincinnati on Thursday, Legumina will end up as the odd man out of a roster spot. The 27-year-old righty allowed nine earned runs in just 9.1 big-league innings last season, but other teams may be willing to take a chance on him after he finished the Triple-A season with a 3.03 ERA and 1.05 WHIP over 62.1 frames.

The Mets designated Covey for assignment Thursday, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

The 33-year-old reliever will end up pushed off New York's 40-man roster to clear space for Ryne Stanek, who officially signed with the club Thursday. Covey spent the first several months of last season rehabbing a shoulder injury he suffered during spring training. Once healthy, he turned in a 1.20 ERA and 1.07 WHIP across 15 innings with the Phillies' Triple-A affiliate. His post-injury performance was enough to attract a major-league deal from the Mets this winter, so he could certainly draw attention from other organizations on the waiver wire.

Atlanta signed Ingram to a minor-league contract Nov. 19.

After reaching the big leagues for the first time in 2023 as a member of the Angels, Ingram spent the entire 2024 campaign in the minors with four different organizations. Between stops at the Triple-A and Double-A level last season, Ingram accrued 3.59 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 52:36 K:BB in 52.2 innings. He'll serve as relief depth in the upper levels of Atlanta's minor-league system in 2025.

The Athletics designated Maldonado for assignment Thursday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Elvis Alvarado, who was claimed off waivers Thursday. Maldonado was a waiver claim himself earlier this offseason and will now go through that process again. He held a 5.68 ERA and 11:7 K:BB over 19 innings with the Marlins in 2024.

The Reds signed La Sorsa to a minor-league contract Thursday that includes an invitation to spring training, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

The lefty reliever will receive $780,000 if in the majors. La Sorsa, 26, has posted a 4.47 ERA and 42:12 K:BB over 50.1 innings across parts of two seasons at the big-league level.