MLB Player News

Avila cleared waivers Wednesday and was sent outright to Triple-A Columbus.

Avila was DFA'd last Wednesday to clear a roster spot for new signee Paul Sewald, and the former will officially remain in the organization after passing through waivers unclaimed. Avila turned in a 3.25 ERA and 1.31 WHIP over 74.2 regular-season innings after joining the Guardians in April, and he could be one of the first names considered for a promotion if/when Cleveland needs to call up a reliever from the minors.

Estevez agreed to a two-year, $20.2 million contract with the Royals on Wednesday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

The deal also reportedly features a $13 million club option for 2027 with a $2 million buyout. Estevez is coming off the best year of his career, finishing 2024 with a 2.45 ERA and 0.91 WHIP through 55 regular-season innings while converting 26 saves between the Angels and Phillies. Now in Kansas City, the 32-year-old righty is likely to take over as the Royals' primary closer, which would push Lucas Erceg into a setup role.

Gibaut signed a minor-league contract with the Reds on Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Gibaut missed the vast majority of 2024 due to forearm and calf injuries, and he was non-tendered by the Reds earlier this winter. The 31-year-old reliever owns a 3.77 ERA over 112.1 innings since joining the Reds in 2022, and he'll attempt to work his way back into Cincinnati's bullpen during spring training.

The Reds designated White for assignment Wednesday.

The Reds needed to make room on the 40-man roster after acquiring Taylor Rogers from San Francisco on Wednesday, and White will end up as the odd man out. The 25-year-old righty spent most of last season with the Rangers' Triple-A affiliate, accumulating a 5.64 ERA and 1.57 WHIP across 99 innings. Regardless of whether he clears waivers or gets claimed by another organization, White will almost certainly head back to Triple-A to begin 2025.

The Reds acquired Rogers and cash considerations from the Giants on Wednesday in exchange for Braxton Roxby, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Rogers' strikeout rate dipped to 25.7 percent in 2024, but he still had a very good season in collecting a 2.40 ERA and 64:22 K:BB over 60 innings. The left-hander instantly becomes the Reds' best left-handed setup man and a candidate to take over at closer if Alexis Diaz is unable to bounce back from his rough 2024 campaign.

The Dodgers and Vesia avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.25 million contract Wednesday that includes a $3.55 million club option for 2026, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Vesia had filed at $2.35 million and the Dodgers at $2.05 million earlier this month, but the two sides will avoid a hearing. The lefty reliever had a stellar 2024 campaign, collecting a 1.76 ERA and 87:33 K:BB over 66.1 regular-season frames. The Dodgers' bullpen is loaded, but Vesia should see high-leverage opportunities again in 2025.

Pressly said at his introductory press conference with the Cubs on Wednesday that he was told by the team he would close some games this season, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Pressly went on to compliment incumbent closer Porter Hodge and added that he planned to go into spring training competing for the ninth-inning gig. While Hodge fared well as the Cubs' closer down the stretch of the 2024 season, Pressly should enter 2025 as the clear favorite for the role. The 36-year-old has regressed over the last two seasons but has still been plenty effective, holding a 3.54 ERA and 132:34 K:BB over 122 regular-season frames.

The Tigers signed Kahnle to a one-year, $7.75 million contract Wednesday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Kahnle hasn't had a season where he avoided the injured list since 2019, and he threw a total of just 13.2 regular-season innings from 2020-22. However, the 35-year-old has been quite effective when on the bump, most recently holding a 2.11 ERA and 46:19 K:BB over 42.2 regular-season innings with the Yankees in 2024. The changeup specialist has no issues with splits and will be part of the late-inning mix in Detroit, which could include some save opportunities.

The Nationals released La Sorsa on Wednesday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

La Sorsa cleared waivers after being designated for assignment and will now hit the open market. The 26-year-old has posted a 4.47 ERA and 42:12 K:BB over 50.1 innings across parts of two seasons at the major-league level.

The Mets signed Stanek to a one-year, $4.5 million contract Wednesday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

He can earn an additional $500,000 in incentives. Stanek was acquired by the Mets at the 2024 trade deadline, and between the regular season and postseason, he turned in a 5.18 ERA and 31:11 K:BB over 24.1 innings for New York. The right-handed reliever will help set up ahead of closer Edwin Diaz in 2025.