MLB Player News

Wingenter (back) signed a minor-league contract with the Tigers on Sunday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Wingenter's deal includes an invitation to big-league spring training, where the 28-year-old should get the chance to compete for a spot in Detroit's Opening Day bullpen. After undergoing back surgery in September 2021, Wingenter was non-tendered by the Padres and caught on with the Reds on a minor-league deal last offseason. Wingenter never ended up seeing action for any of the Reds' minor-league affiliates in 2022, but he was presumably able to pass his physical with Detroit and should report to spring training at full health. Over 73 career relief appearances in the majors, Wingenter owns a 5.14 ERA and 20.1 K-BB%.

Pruitt signed a minor-league contract with the Athletics on Sunday.

Pruitt hit free agency after being outrighted off Oakland's 40-man roster in November, but he's back with the organization on a minor-league deal. The 33-year-old appeared in 39 big-league games last season and had a 4.23 ERA across 55.1 innings, and he will likely receive an invitation to major-league spring training.

Martin will undergo surgery on his left shoulder next week, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.

Martin hit the injured list in late September with a left shoulder strain. The fact that he's only now getting surgery nearly four months later suggests the issue may have gotten worse while he attempted to get ready for the upcoming season. An exact timeline for his return has yet to be offered by the Rangers, though the lefty is expected to miss most of the 2023 season.

Peralta and the Yankees agreed to a one-year deal Saturday, avoiding arbitration.

The 31-year-old lefty is coming off a career year, as he finished 2022 with a 2.72 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in 56.1 innings of relief. He saved four games and could be one of the options for saves again this season if Clay Holmes struggles or gets hurt, though the Yankees may instead want to match Peralta up against opposing team's toughest lefties. Left-handed hitters slashed just .155/.211/.211 in 77 plate appearances against him last season.

Loaisiga and the Yankees avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year deal Friday.

Loaisiga took a step back last season, with his ERA jumping from 2.17 to 4.13 while his strikeout rate fell from 24.4 percent to 18.2 percent. If he recaptures his 2021 form this season, he could be one of closer Clay Holmes' top deputies, but a repeat of last year's numbers may not earn him much high-leverage work.

King (elbow) signed a one-year deal with the Yankees on Friday, avoiding arbitration.

King got off to an excellent start last season, posting a 2.29 ERA in 51 innings of relief while striking out 33.2 percent of opposing batters. He hit the injured list with a fractured elbow shortly after the All-Star break and wound up missing the rest of the year, though he was able to avoid Tommy John surgery and could be ready for the start of next season.

Holmes agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the Yankees on Friday, avoiding arbitration.

Holmes broke out in his age-29 season last year, finishing the season with a 2.54 ERA and 1.02 WHIP while recording the first 20 saves of his career. He's the clear favorite to lead the Yankees in saves this season, though the fact that his ERA jumped from 1.31 prior to the All-Star break to 4.84 in the second half makes him a higher-risk option than one might expect when looking at only his season-long numbers.

Phillips signed a one-year, $1.3 million contract with the Dodgers on Friday to avoid arbitration, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Phillips was simply dominant in 2022, recording a minuscule 1.14 ERA and 0.76 WHIP through 63 innings out of the bullpen. Though recreating those numbers will be almost impossible for the 28-year-old righty, Phillips will certainly see plenty of action in high-leverage situations next season.

Thielbar signed a one-year, $2.4 million contract with the Twins on Friday to avoid arbitration, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

Thielbar has been one of the most consistent pieces of the Twins' bullpen for the past three seasons, keeping his WHIP right around the 1.15 mark. The veteran southpaw will turn 36 at the end of the month, so it's worth questioning how much left he has in the tank. But for now, a 2.42 FIP keeps him in a nice position as one of Minnesota's top relievers.

Sims (back) signed a one-year, $1.27 million contract with the Reds on Friday to avoid arbitration, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Sims' season was cut short in 2022 after undergoing season-ending surgery on his back, and the 6.2 innings he managed to pitch early in the year weren't pretty (9.45 ERA, 1.65 WHIP). It's possible he'll work his way back into the closer role Cincinnati had planned for him going into 2022, though it may take a while before he gets there.