MLB Player News

Perez has signed a minor league deal with the Cubs, FOX's Ken Rosenthal reports.

Perez was released on Dec. 8 by the Braves in advance of the Rule 5 Draft. He made 11 starts for Atlanta last year, compiling a 6.04 ERA. In 2015, he started 20 games and posted a 4.78 ERA. The Cubs rotation is pretty well set at this point, so Perez figures to offer organizational depth.

DeGrom threw off a mound earlier this week at the Mets' spring training complex without any issues, The NY Post reports.

He had surgery in September on the ulnar nerve in his elbow, and his recovery has gone as well as the Mets could have hoped. "Since I've had the nerve moved, I haven't had any of the pain that was there, so I would call it a success so far,'' deGrom said. "It started with some tingling in my fingers. Then it turned into a sharp pain. I don't know if it's because it was getting aggravated more, but that's what was happening." The 28-year-old has yet to throw 200 innings in a big league season, but assuming his arm holds up, a Cy Young-worthy campaign is entirely possible in 2017.

Solis is expected to be a late-inning option for the Nationals this season.

The Nats struck out in their attempts to land an established closer in the offseason, leaving a handful of holdovers competing for ninth-inning duties this spring. Solis is among that group, but as the only left-hander in the bunch, he's more likely to be used as a setup man. That said, his 10.3 K/9 rate in 2016 suggests he has the stuff to close, even if only in situations when a left-handed hitter represents the final out. Solis' unsettled role makes him a speculative fantasy play at the moment, but in leagues that use saves plus holds as a category, he could prove to be a useful asset.

Gomber has received a spring training invite for the second consecutive year after a successful 2016 season, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

The Cardinals' 2015 Minor League Pitcher of the Year provided a solid encore in 2016, tallying a 2.69 ERA and 1.06 WHIP over the 127 innings spanning his 21 starts. Gomber made 17 of those trips to the mound for High-A Palm Beach before moving up to Double-A Springfield for his last four outings. The southpaw then went 5-1 with a 2.14 ERA over seven starts in the Arizona Fall League, sealing the deal in terms of getting another look with the big league club during the exhibition slate. With lefties Jaime Garcia and Tim Cooney having departed this offseason, the Cardinals are currently devoid of that handedness in the potential starting rotation, making Gomber an intriguing prospect to watch while Marco Gonzalez (elbow) and Tyler Lyons (knee) attempt to make returns from significant surgeries.

If Stripling doesn't win the Dodgers' fifth starter job this spring, he could stick on the 25-man roster as a reliever, the Los Angeles Times reports.

This move would make sense considering the Dodgers' lack of bullpen depth behind the recently re-signed Kenley Jansen. Stripling posted a 3.96 ERA in 22 appearances (14 starts) in his rookie season last year, showing that he can pitch in the majors as a swingman.

Cabrera will head into spring training expected to be a key part of the Braves' bullpen in 2017.

Jim Johnson is still around and seems likely to begin the season as the closer, but Cabrera and his triple-digit fastball will be ready to step in if Johnson is unable to repeat his 2016 career revival. Despite his overpowering heat, Cabrera's lack of control or a dependable off-speed pitch have kept him from posting big strikeout numbers, but the 23-year-old still has time to refine his arsenal. Fantasy players who don't like to spend big on saves may want to make Cabrera a priority target in the endgame of their auction or late rounds of their draft.

Smoker will compete for a spot in the Mets' bullpen this spring.

The 28-year-old, a first round pick of the Nationals way back in 2007, has had a long journey to the majors, but after posting a 25:4 K:BB in 15.1 innings with the Mets last year, he seems to have finally proven himself. The team has been looking for a veteran lefty this offseason but hasn't yet brought in anyone, leaving Smoker at the top of a depth chart that also includes Sean Gilmartin and Josh Edgin. Even if the Mets do sign a more established left-handed relief arm, though, Smoker seems likely to break camp on the 25-man roster, even if it's in a lower-leverage role.

Freeland was invited to Rockies camp for spring training.

The 23-year-old split time between Double-A and Triple-A last year, logging 73.2 innings at Triple-A while working toward a 3.91 ERA in the process. Although he is viewed as a starter in the long run, the Rockies could feature him in the bullpen to start his career, especially with his solid repertoire from the left side.

Martinez agreed to a five-year, $51 million extension with the Cardinals on Wednesday, Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reports.

Sources have reportedly confirmed the deal, but the Cardinals are waiting to announce the extension until Thursday. Martinez has been great for the Cardinals over the past two seasons, going 30-16 with a 3.02 ERA across 375 innings and earning an All-Star selection in 2015. He is set to compete for the top starting job for St. Louis in 2017.

Improved command and more effective usage of his secondary pitches helped Hendricks put together his breakout 2016 season, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

According to Statcast, Hendricks had the highest number of pitches that were called strikes outside of the zone in 2016. He also threw more changeups, cutters and curveballs for called strikes than he did in 2015. "I think my command was much better and my mechanics were more solid [in 2016]," Hendricks said. "I could dial in." The stats reflected this, as Hendricks went 16-8 with a MLB-best 2.13 ERA. While that number will almost certainly rise in 2017 given his lack of overpowering stuff, Hendricks appears locked in as a very reliable fantasy option.