MLB Player News

The Angels released Zuniga on Thursday.

Zuniga cleared waivers after being booted from the 40-man roster and has now been cut loose. The 26-year-old is a hard thrower but has just a 16:8 K:BB in 19.2 innings in the majors and a 6.51 ERA at the Triple-A level.

The Rockies signed O'Loughlin to a minor-league contract Thursday that includes an invitation to spring training, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

O'Loughlin, 24, reached the big leagues for the first time in 2024 with the Athletics, allowing five runs over 9.2 innings. He split time between the rotation and bullpen at hitter-friendly Triple-A Las Vegas, holding a 6.04 ERA and 80:34 K:BB across 73 frames. The lefty could compete for a swingman role with the Rockies but is likely to begin the season at Triple-A Albuquerque.

The Red Sox signed Wilson to a one-year, $2.25 million contract Thursday, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

He will have the ability to earn an additional $750,000 in incentives. After missing the 2023 season following Tommy John surgery, Wilson held a 5.59 ERA but a 51:13 K:BB across 46.2 frames for the Reds in 2024. The 37-year-old will give the Red Sox another lefty in the bullpen alongside Brennan Bernardino.

Twins bench coach Jayce Tingler indicated in a recent interview that the team is open to the possibility of moving Jax into the rotation, Mike Ferrin of MLB Network Radio reports.

Jax came up through the minors as a starting pitcher and made 14 starts for the Twins in 2021, posting a 6.10 ERA. He's since turned into a lockdown reliever, most recently collecting a 2.03 ERA and 95:15 K:BB over 71 innings this season. With a five-pitch mix and past starting experience, Jax would seem more equipped for a shift to the rotation than most relievers. The question is whether the uptick in stuff since his move to relief would translate back to a starting role.

The Twins re-signed Duarte (elbow) to a minor-league contract on Nov. 6.

Duarte was outrighted off the 40-man roster but will remain in the organization while he rehabs from UCL revision surgery. The righty reliever is expected to miss most of the 2025 season.

The Angels released Miller on Tuesday.

Miller was dropped from the Angels' 40-man roster Thursday, and he'll now attempt to latch on with another organization after passing through waivers unclaimed. The 28-year-old reliever allowed six earned runs over 13 innings in the majors in 2024, though his 2.45 ERA and 1.00 WHIP through 62.1 Triple-A frames should be enough to net him a minor-league deal elsewhere.

Okert signed a minor-league contract with the Astros on Nov. 5.

Okert appeared in 44 games for the Twins in 2024, putting up a 5.09 ERA and 1.50 WHIP across 35.1 innings -- his worst statistical season since 2017. The 33-year-old southpaw will have an opportunity to bounce back with the Astros organization, though he will likely need to redeem himself at Triple-A Sugar Land before getting a chance to pitch for Houston.

Peralta elected free agency Tuesday.

Peralta cleared waivers after the White Sox removed him from their 40-man roster, but he'll test out free agency rather than accepting an outright assignment. The left-handed reliever holds a 4.37 ERA and 29:18 K:BB over 35 innings covering parts of two big-league seasons.

The Angels designated Zuniga for assignment Tuesday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Travis d'Arnaud, who was signed to a two-year deal Tuesday. Zuniga, 26, posted a 5.09 ERA and 12:8 K:BB over 17.2 innings this season while notching a pair of saves.

The Cardinals are not mulling a move to the rotation for Helsley, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

All 239 appearances for Helsley at the major-league level have come in relief, but he came up through the minors as a starting pitcher. While there has been some speculation the Cardinals might consider giving the 30-year-old another chance to start, it does not appear that is in the plans following Helsley's major-league-leading 49 saves in 2024. They will, however, reportedly entertain trade offers for Helsley, who is entering his final year of arbitration eligibility.