MLB Player News

The Rangers signed Plassmeyer to a minor-league contract Tuesday.

Plassmeyer, 28, spent the 2024 season at Triple-A Indianapolis in the Pirates organization, posting a 7.93 ERA but also an 86:13 K:BB over 70.1 innings. The lefty has starter and reliever experience and it's not clear which role the Rangers have planned for him, but he's likely to begin the year at Triple-A Round Rock.

Bradish (elbow) began a throwing program Wednesday, Danielle Allentuck of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

It's the first time Bradish has played catch since he underwent Tommy John surgery with an internal brace in mid-June. The Orioles expect the right-hander to be ready to rejoin their rotation around midseason, although that's a rough timetable given how many hurdles he must clear.

The Pirates traded Kennedy, along with Luis Ortiz and Josh Hartle, to the Guardians on Tuesday in exchange for Spencer Horwitz, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Kennedy spent time in Single-A and High-A ball in 2024, posting a 3.53 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in 79 innings between the two levels. The 20-year-old southpaw has been largely successful at every level he's played in so far in his career, and he could receive a promotion to Double-A in 2025 if he continues at his current pace.

The Pirates traded Ortiz, along with Josh Hartle and Michael Kennedy, to the Guardians on Tuesday in exchange for Spencer Horwitz, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Ortiz took a massive leap in 2024, posting a 3.32 ERA and 1.11 WHIP alongside a 107:42 K:BB in 135.2 innings. The Pirates used him as both a starter and reliever last year, though Shane Bieber's (elbow) injury and a general lack of starter depth could prompt Cleveland to keep Ortiz in its rotation full time.

Eovaldi agreed to a three-year, $75 million contract with the Rangers on Tuesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Eovaldi turned down his $20 million player option earlier in the offseason, but he'll officially remain in Arlington on a multi-year deal that will pay him $5 million more in 2025 than if he had exercised his option. The 34-year-old righty has been fairly consistent during his time with the Rangers, posting a 3.72 ERA and 1.12 WHIP over the last two seasons, and he'll presumably follow Jacob deGrom as the second man in Texas' rotation.

Fried agreed to a eight year, $218 million contract with Yankees on Tuesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

After coming up short on re-signing Juan Soto, the Yankees set their sights on the best remaining left-handed starter on the market. The deal is pending a physical, but Passan notes it's the largest guarantee in baseball history for a southpaw. There are no deferrals nor opt-outs in the contract, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports. Fried ends his Atlanta career with a 3.07 ERA in 168 appearances (151 starts). In his eighth and final season with the team in 2024, the 30-year-old posted a 3.08 ERA across 29 starts.

Cobb passed his physical with the Tigers on Tuesday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

The Tigers agreed to a one-year contract with Cobb on Monday, a deal which includes $15 million for 2025 with incentives of $1 million apiece for reaching the 140- and 150-inning thresholds. Cobb dealt with injuries during his one season with the Guardians in 2024, but he logged 149.2 and 151.1 innings during the 2022 and 2023 seasons, respectively, as part of the Giants' rotation.

Ynoa has signed a minor-league contract with Minnesota, Stephanie Apstein of Sports Illustrated reports.

After missing the 2023 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, Ynoa opened the 2024 campaign at full health and occupied a spot in Triple-A Gwinnett's rotation, only to be shut down in mid-April with elbow inflammation before he hurt his shoulder in August during a rehab assignment. Ynoa was signed out of the Dominican Republic by the Twins at age 16, so he returns to a familiar franchise. He could be a nice depth piece for the Twins if he can return to full health this spring.

Gipson-Long (elbow) is playing catch from 120 feet, three times a week.

Gipson-Long underwent Tommy John surgery in April and then hip surgery in July, both of which he's slowly been working his way back from. The right-hander started four games with Detroit in 2023, producing a 2.70 ERA and 1.10 WHIP with 26 strikeouts over 20 innings and he figures to have a role with the Tigers in 2025, once healthy.

The Tigers have agreed to a one-year contract with Cobb, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Cobb has a connection with president of baseball operations Scott Harris, as the two were both with the Giants during the 2022 season. The veteran right-hander was limited to just 16.1 regular-season innings and 5.2 postseason frames with the Guardians in 2024 due to a variety of injuries but has typically been a solid mid-rotation starter when healthy. Cobb will get to pitch half his games in a pitcher-friendly venue at Comerica Park.