MLB Player News

Nicasio (knee) was traded from Seattle to Philadelphia along with Jean Segura for Carlos Santana and J.P. Crawford on Monday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Nicasio battled a knee injury throughout 2018 and struggled to a 6.00 ERA in 42 innings, but his underlying numbers are quite promising and he's expected to be good to go in 2019 following a cleanup procedure. His 2.99 FIP was a near match for the 2.98 FIP he posted in 2017, and he walked an incredibly low 2.7 percent of batters while striking out a career-high 29.0 percent. If he experiences positive regression back towards his peripherals in 2019, he could be in contention for a high-leverage role in a Phillies bullpen which lacks an established hierarchy, though he's unlikely to have an inside shot on the closer role.

Solis signed a one-year, $850,000 contract with Washington on Friday to avoid arbitration, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.

Solis appeared in 56 games for the Nationals in 2018, though he posted a disastrous 6.41 ERA and 1.55 WHIP while working in low-leverage spots. He will likely be able to pin down an Opening Day roster spot, as his 4.95 FIP and 44:18 K:BB across 39.1 innings should've led to better results this past season.

McCreery was traded to the Dodgers from Atlanta on Wednesday in exchange for cash considerations.

In a corresponding move, the Dodgers designated Pat Venditte for assignment in order to make room on the 40-man roster for their newly-acquired pitcher. McCreery only appeared in one big-league game this past season but posted a 3.62 ERA and 71:37 K:BB across 54.2 innings between Double-A and Triple-A. In addition, the southpaw held left-handed hitters to a slash line of .218/.322/.282. He still has two options remaining so look for McCreery to begin the 2019 campaign back in the minor leagues.

McCreery was designated for assignment by Atlanta on Monday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

McCreery was bumped off the 40-man roster to make room for the addition of Josh Donaldson. McCreery made his big-league debut during the 2018 season but spent the majority of the year at Double-A Gwinnett, posting a 3.83 ERA and 1.72 WHIP with 61 strikeouts over 47 frames.

Alvarez signed a minor-league contract with the Nationals on Monday, Jon Heyman of FancredSports.com reports.

The deal includes an invitation to spring training, per Chelsea Janes of The Washington Post. Alvarez spent the 2018 season with Quintana Roo of the Mexican League, posting a 3.58 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 64:24 K:BB across 120.2 innings (19 starts). He owns a career 3.82 ERA across parts of five big-league seasons, though he hasn't been effective at the major-league level since his All-Star campaign with the Marlins in 2014.

Meyer was outrighted to Triple-A New Orleans on Monday.

Meyer, who was designated for assignment last week, will stick in the Marlins' organization after clearing waivers. The 25-year-old righty struggled during his major-league debut in 2018, allowing 23 runs (22 earned) on 26 hits across 19 innings. He also walked more batters (14) than he struck out (nine). As such, Meyer seems likely to serve as organizational pitching depth in 2019.

Keller's contract was selected from Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

Keller was added to the 40-man roster for Rule 5 protection. He appears to be closing in on a promotion to the big leagues, especially after getting called up to Triple-A at the end of June last year. Keller posted a 4.82 ERA with 57 punchouts over 52.1 frames (10 starts) with Indy and could make his major-league debut in 2019.

Rea was designated for assignment by the Padres on Tuesday.

Rea was bumped off the 40-man roster to make room for a more promising young player ahead of the Rule 5 draft. The 28-year-old Rea split time between Double-A San Antonio and Triple-A El Paso in 2018, struggling to a combined 5.76 ERA over 75 frames.

Steele was added to the 40-man roster by the Cubs on Tuesday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Steele was granted Rule 5 draft protection after seeing limited time on the mound in 2018. He managed to come back from Tommy John surgery and could begin the 2019 campaign at Double-A Tennessee.

Paddack's contract was purchased by the Padres on Tuesday.

Paddack will be shielded from the Rule 5 draft after being added to the 40-man roster -- a no-brainer for the Padres. He underwent Tommy John surgery in 2017 but looked healthy last year, posting a 1.91 ERA with 37 punchouts over 37 frames with Double-A San Antonio.