MLB Player News

Lopez (groin) signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Nationals on Saturday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

After being unceremoniously cut by the Mets midway through last season, Lopez signed with the Cubs and immediately went on one of the best statistical runs of his career, turning in a 2.03 ERA and 1.09 WHIP across 26.2 innings with Chicago. The 31-year-old reliever still holds a 5.25 ERA over his nine-year career, but his recent performance and a lack of depth in Washington's bullpen could allow him to appear regularly in high-leverage situations.

Whitlock (elbow) said Saturday that he will move back to the bullpen in 2025, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Whitlock moved to the Red Sox's rotation last season, but he made just four starts before undergoing season-ending elbow surgery in May. He had already been expected to return shortly after the start of the 2025 campaign, but now that he'll no longer need to build up to a starter's workload, the 28-year-old righty could make his season debut earlier than anticipated.

The Blue Jays designated de Geus for assignment Friday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Kicking de Geus off the 40-man roster creates space for Jeff Hoffman, who agreed to a three-year deal with the Blue Jays on Friday. De Geus owns a 7.48 ERA and 1.71 WHIP over 61.1 career big-league innings and finished 2024 with a 5.31 ERA in Triple-A.

Hoffman signed a three-year, $33 million contract with the Blue Jays on Friday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

After bouncing between Colorado, Cincinnati and Philadelphia over his first nine years in the majors, Hoffman will reunite with the organization that originally drafted him back in 2014. The 32-year-old reliever is coming off the best statistical season of his career, as he reached the 10-save mark for the first time and finished the year with a 2.17 ERA and 0.96 WHIP over 66.1 innings with the Phillies. It's likely he receives a chance to close in Toronto, with Chad Green and Yimi Garcia (elbow) also in the mix to replace Jordan Romano (elbow).

Kittredge and the Orioles agreed on a one-year, $10 million contract Thursday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Kittredge will cash in after a 2024 campaign with the Cardinals in which he appeared in 74 games, producing a 2.80 ERA and 1.13 WHIP with 67 strikeouts over 70.2 innings. Additionally, the right-hander compiled 37 holds in 2024, while going 1-for-8 in save opportunities. The 34-year-old will likely operate in a high-leverage role out of the Orioles' bullpen in 2025.

Thompson agreed on a one-year contract with the Diamondbacks on Thursday to avoid arbitration.

Thompson and Arizona were able to reach a deal before Thursday's deadline, though the complete details of the contract are currently unknown. The right-hander appeared in 67 regular-season games with the Diamondbacks in 2024, producing a 3.26 ERA and 1.19 WHIP with 52 strikeouts, two saves and 24 holds over 66.1 innings. Thompson will likely continue to operate as a high-leverage reliever with Arizona in 2025.

Williams and the Yankees have agreed to a one-year, $8.6 million contract to avoid arbitration Thursday, Jorge Castillo of ESPN.com reports.

Williams was dealt to the Yankees earlier this offseason and has already been named the team's closer. Though he missed most of 2024 due to a back issue, he's maintained an ERA below 2.00 for each of the last three seasons while striking out at least 13.3 batters per nine innings in each of the last five campaigns. Williams will earn $1.6 million more than he did in 2024.

Brieske agreed on a one-year, $1.025 million contract with the Tigers on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Brieske and Detroit were able to reach an agreement before Thursday's deadline. The right-hander produced a 3.59 ERA and 1.26 WHIP with 69 strikeouts, six holds and a save over 67.2 innings in 46 regular-season appearances, including 12 starts, with the Tigers in 2024. Brieske will likely occupy a significant role in the team's bullpen again in 2025.

Akin agreed to a one-year, $1.475 million contract with the Orioles on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Akin is coming off of a 2024 campaign in which produced a 3.32 ERA and 0.94 WHIP with 97 strikeouts, six holds and a save over 78.2 innings in 66 regular-season appearances. The left-hander appears to be geared up to operate in a significant role out of the bullpen with the Orioles again in 2025.

Mantiply and the Diamondbacks avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.7 million contract Thursday, Kiley McDaniel of ESPN.com reports.

Mantiply finished the 2024 regular season with a 6-2 record across 75 appearances (including two starts) and posted 16 holds with a 3.92 ERA and 1.17 WHIP across 59.2 innings. The 33-year-old out of Virginia Tech will provide the Diamondbacks with a southpaw option out of the bullpen for the 2025 campaign.