MLB Player News

Robertson (elbow) threw a bullpen Thursday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Robertson was shut down at the end of August after a setback in his recovery from Tommy John surgery, and his team option was declined by the Phillies after the end of the 2020 season. The right-hander's bullpen session was his first of the offseason, although he's planning a showcase for teams in early February. Robertson underwent his procedure in August of 2019 and could return to game action early in the 2021 campaign if he's able to find a roster spot during the offseason.

Devenski (elbow) agreed to a contract Wednesday with the Diamondbacks, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports. According to Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic, Devenski will be joining Arizona on a minor-league deal that is worth $1 million at the MLB level and includes up to $350,000 in roster bonuses for games pitched and games finished.

Devenski will be moving on to a new organization after making 225 appearances with the Astros across the past five seasons and posting a 3.35 ERA and 9.7 K/9. Though the 30-year-old was one of the majors' top middle relievers in 2016 and 2017, his skills have steadily declined in the three years that followed, with Devenski supplying a 4.88 ERA (4.51 xFIP) during that span. He was limited to just four appearances in 2020 before undergoing arthroscopic elbow surgery in mid-September, but the right-hander is expected to be ready to go for the start of spring training. The Diamondbacks don't presently have a clear top option for saves on the roster, so a healthy Devenski could factor into the late-inning mix if he's able to show some effectiveness early on in 2021.

Yates (elbow) signed with the Blue Jays on Tuesday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

According to Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca, the deal has $5.5 million guaranteed with up to $4.5 million in performance bonuses. Yates made a strong case as the league's best reliever in 2019, finishing with a 1.19 ERA and 41 saves while striking out 41.6 percent of opposing batters and walking just 5.3 percent. His 2020 season was a huge disappointment, as he struggled through six appearances, giving up six runs in 4.1 innings, before being shut down with bone chips in his elbow. The upside here is huge for the Blue Jays, who may have just locked down one of the game's top closers, but a full rebound can't be taken for granted in the righty's age-34 season.

Uncertainty regarding Lamet's (elbow) ability to handle a full starter's workload this season was part of the motivation for the Padres' acquisition of Joe Musgrove, Alden Gonzalez of ESPN reports.

General manager A.J. Preller maintained that Lamet is having a good offseason after undergoing platelet-rich plasma therapy to address an elbow problem, but that doesn't mean the Padres have full confidence in him heading into the upcoming campaign. The Padres now boast tons of rotation depth after trading for Musgrove, Blake Snell and Yu Darvish this offseason, which could allow them to give Lamet the occasional rest even if he's able to avoid the injured list. The righty is coming off a season in which he recorded an excellent 2.09 ERA and a 34.8 percent strikeout rate, but don't expect too many innings from a guy who has averaged just 47.3 per year over the last three campaigns.

Bednar was traded from the Padres to the Pirates on Monday as part of a three-team trade that sent Joe Musgrove to the Padres and Joey Lucchesi to the Mets, source reports.

Bednar is part of a large package of players heading to Pittsburgh as part of the deal. The 26-year-old righty is arguably one of the less interesting pieces in the deal, as he owns a 6.75 ERA in 17.1 career innings at the highest level.

The Phillies designated Arano for assignment Monday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Arano's removal from the 40-man roster clears a spot for infielder C.J. Chatham, whom the Phillies acquired from the Red Sox in a corresponding transaction. After he posted a 2.73 ERA while striking out 60 over 59.1 innings in his age-23 season in 2018, Arano looked like he might be a long-term piece in the Philadelphia bullpen, but the right-hander has struggled with elbow and shoulder injuries over the last two seasons. If he can show improved velocity and command at spring training, Arano could still have an outside shot at making the Phillies' Opening Day roster.

Miller signed a minor-league contract with the Cubs on Sunday as a non-roster invitee, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Miller didn't make the Brewers' Opening Day roster in 2020 and opted out of the season at the beginning of August. He'll get to compete at major-league spring training in 2021 and will attempt to earn a spot in the big leagues after struggling over the past several years. Miller made 24 appearances (12 starts) for the Diamondbacks and Rangers in 2018 and 2019, posting a 9.15 ERA and 1.98 WHIP over 60 innings during that time.

Cisnero and the Tigers reached a one-year, $970,000 deal Friday, avoiding arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Cisnero was able to settle on a deal with the Tigers prior to Friday's deadline, so the two sides won't require an arbiter. The right-hander made 29 relief appearances in 2020, posting a career-best 3.03 ERA and 1.11 WHIP with 34 strikeouts over 29.2 innings.

Green and the Yankees reached a one-year, $2.15 million deal Friday, avoiding arbitration, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Green showed improvement during the 2020 campaign, logging a 3.51 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 32:8 K:BB over 25.2 innings across 22 relief appearances for the Yankees. He won't require arbitration after reaching a deal prior to Friday's deadline.

Stephenson and the Rockies agreed to a one-year, $805,000 deal Friday, avoiding arbitration.

Stephenson came over in a trade from the Reds in November. Where exactly he fits into the Rockies' bullpen depends on whether or not he looks more like he did in 2019 (3.76 ERA) or 2020 (9.90 ERA).