MLB Player News

The Rays and Cleavinger avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.2 million contract Thursday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Cleavinger gets a well-earned raise after putting up a 3.75 ERA and 71:31 K:BB over 60 innings during 2024 in his first year back from knee surgery. The left-handed reliever will be in line for high-leverage work again with the Rays in 2025.

The Diamondbacks and Nelson (shoulder) avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $825,000 contract Thursday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Nelson had been eligible for arbitration for the first time. The left-hander missed most of the 2024 season after undergoing thoracic outlet surgery in May, and while he should have a shot to be ready for the start of the 2025 campaign, it's a notoriously tricky operation to come back from.

The Blue Jays have had contract talks with Jansen (shoulder), Hector Gomez of Z101 Digital reports.

It's unknown how advanced the discussions are at this juncture. The Blue Jays signed Yimi Garcia to a two-year, $15 million deal earlier this offseason, but Jansen would likely serve as Toronto's closer while Garcia is used in a setup role. Jansen ended the 2024 season on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation, but he should be fully recovered for the start of spring training.

Burke signed a one-year, $1.15 million contract with the Angels on Wednesday to avoid arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Burke logged a 3.54 ERA and 1.13 WHIP over 20.1 innings upon joining the Angels in August -- good enough to earn the southpaw a nice $90,000 raise for the upcoming season. He didn't pitch often in high-leverage situations, finishing 2024 with just one hold and a blown save, though that could change if his success carries over into 2025.

The Mariners claimed Danner off waivers from the Blue Jays on Wednesday, Scott Mitchell of TSN.ca reports.

Danner made one appearance for the Blue Jays in 2023 before spending most of the 2024 campaign at Triple-A Buffalo, holding a 3.15 ERA and 34:13 K:BB over 34.1 frames. He'll compete for a bullpen job in Seattle but has minor-league options remaining.

The Giants designated Warren for assignment Wednesday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Sam Huff, who was claimed off waivers from Texas. Warren made six appearances for the Giants in 2024, allowing two runs with a 7:5 K:BB over 10.2 innings. He and the Giants had avoided arbitration with a one-year contract agreement back in November.

The Angels signed Brogdon to a minor-league contract Wednesday, Taylor Blake Ward of The Sporting Tribune reports.

Brogdon made a total of just 18 appearances between the majors and minors in 2024 due to a foot injury, although he ended the season healthy. The righty reliever flashed some bat-missing ability with the Phillies from 2020 to 2022 with a 25.1 percent strikeout rate.

Jax will remain in the Twins' bullpen rather than move into the rotation, general manager Jeremy Zoll confirmed Wednesday, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

The Twins' coaching staff indicated earlier in the offseason that a shift to the rotation for Jax was a possibility, but it appears it's no longer being considered. Jax was a starting pitcher in the minors and made 14 starts for the Twins in 2021, but he's since blossomed as a reliever, most recently posting a 2.03 ERA and 95:15 K:BB over 71 innings in 2024. The 30-year-old will enter the upcoming season as Minnesota's top setup man, but he picked up 10 saves last season and, with manager Rocco Baldelli not committed to traditional bullpen roles, Jax should see some save chances in 2025.

The Padres re-signed Patino (elbow) to a minor-league contract Monday.

Patino was non-tendered by San Diego in November but returns to the organization as he continues his rehab from April 2024 Tommy John surgery. The right-hander is unlikely to be ready to pitch until around midseason.

Festa was designated for assignment by the Rangers on Monday.

Festa has been booted from the 40-man roster to make room for the acquisition of Chris Martin. Festa has pitched in the big leagues in each of the last three seasons, though it's unclear if he'll draw much interest on waivers after posting a 5.70 ERA and 1.23 WHIP over 23.2 innings across stops with the Rangers and Mets a season ago.