MLB Player News

Hudson agreed to a one-year, $7 million contract with the Dodgers on Monday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Hudson split 2021 between San Diego and Washington and had a 3.31 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 75:16 K:BB across 51.2 innings with 17 holds. The closer's role is up for grabs with Kenley Jansen now a free agent, and Hudson should fill a high-leverage role for the Dodgers alongside Blake Treinen.

Yates (elbow) signed a two-year, $8.25 million contract with Atlanta on Monday which includes a team option for a third season at $5.75 million, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Yates was arguably the best reliever in the league over his last two full seasons, riding a 38.7 percent strikeout rate to 53 saves and a 1.67 ERA. Those seasons came in 2018 and 2019, however, as he missed almost the entirely of the last two years due to multiple injuries. He most recently underwent Tommy John surgery in late March, a procedure which will likely wipe out much of his 2022 season in addition to all of 2021. There's a chance Atlanta has landed a top-tier pitcher for the 2022 stretch run and beyond with this deal, but Yates will turn 35 in March, adding plenty of age-related risk to an already risky profile and giving him a very low floor to go along with his high ceiling.

Hildenberger re-signed Sunday with the Giants on a minor-league contract.

Since submitting a 3.21 ERA over 37 appearances out of the Minnesota bullpen as a rookie in 2017, Hildenberger has found limited success at the big-league level over the subsequent four seasons. He made just two appearances in the majors with the Mets in 2021 before he was waived by the organization in May and claimed by the Giants. The 30-year-old right-hander then spent the remainder of the campaign at Triple-A Sacramento, striking out a batter per inning but posting an unremarkable 4.70 ERA and 1.35 WHIP.

Raley agreed Monday with the Rays on a two-year deal, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

The financial terms of the deal have yet to be revealed, but the contract lasts two years plus an option for a third, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Judging purely by his 4.78 ERA in 49 innings of relief for the Astros last season, Raley doesn't look like much of a player, but a deeper dive makes him look much more interesting. All three of his 31.7 percent strikeout rate, 7.8 percent walk rate and 45.3 percent groundball rate were better than average, leading to a 3.27 FIP and 2.90 xFIP. It's very possible he'll see high-leverage opportunities and the occasional save in the Rays' fluid bullpen.

Lawrence re-signed Monday with the Blue Jays on a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to major-league spring training.

Lawrence made 39 big-league appearances (two starts) between the Blue Jays and Mariners during the 2071 and 2018 seasons, then spent at year overseas in Japan before bouncing around between affiliated and independent ball the past two seasons. He rejoined the Toronto organization last May and spent time between Triple-A Buffalo and Double-A New Hampshire, submitting a 4.40 ERA and 1.12 WHIP across 86 innings. The Blue Jays likely view the 34-year-old as quality starting pitching depth in the upper levels of the minors, but he'll face an uphill battle to resurface in the big leagues at any point in 2022.

The Blue Jays signed De Leon to a minor-league contract Monday that includes an invitation to major-league spring training.

He'll presumably get the chance to compete for a spot in the Toronto bullpen this spring, but the 29-year-old is more likely than not to report to Triple-A Buffalo before the regular season gets underway. He posted an 8.35 ERA and 1.80 WHIP across 18.1 innings at the big-league level with the Reds last season before getting released in July and linking up with the Red Sox on a minor-league deal shortly thereafter.

Garcia agreed to a two-year, $11 million contract with the Blue Jays on Saturday, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

The 31-year-old righty has a 3.53 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 19.9 K-BB% and 16 saves over the past three seasons. He notched 15 saves for Miami last season before getting traded to the Astros. Jordan Romano is the presumed closer in Toronto, but Garcia could work in a setup role. The deal includes a club option for a third year.

Neris signed a two-year, $17 million deal with the Astros on Saturday, Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Neris was perhaps miscast as a closer during his eight years in Philadelphia, and he probably won't add significantly to his 84 career saves with his new team unless Ryan Pressly gets injured. That said, he has a lot to offer as a setup man and doesn't appear to be slowing down as he heads into his age-33 season. He finished 2021 with a 3.63 ERA in 74.1 innings, with a strong 31.6 percent strikeout rate and above-average 47.1 percent groundball rate offsetting a 10.3 percent walk rate.

Arano signed a minor-league deal with the Nationals on Wednesday, according to the MLB transaction log.

Arano spent the entire 2021 season in Atlanta's organization at Triple-A Gwinnett. He threw 36 effective innings, punching out 45 and walking 15. If Arano can maintain that form in 2022, he should push for a bullpen role with the big-league club.

Young cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Columbus on Wednesday.

Young was cast off Cleveland's 40-man roster last week but went unclaimed on waivers and will remain in the organization. It wouldn't be surprising to see him serve as a non-roster invitee during spring training after he made 40 appearances (two starts) in the majors last year.