MLB Player News

Atlanta designated Winans for assignment Friday.

The move frees a spot on the 40-man roster for Amos Willingham, who was claimed off waivers. Winans, 29, has made eight starts at the big-league level since the beginning of the 2023 season, putting up a 7.20 ERA and 38:12 K:BB across 40 innings.

The Orioles designated Contreras for assignment Thursday.

The transaction frees up a 40-man roster spot for Jacob Amaya, who was claimed off waivers. Contreras was a waiver claim himself just last week and could be on the move again. The righty has bounced around to four different organizations since October.

The Nationals outrighted Adon (biceps) to Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

He's no longer on the 40-man roster but will remain in the organization. Adon's 2024 season ended with a biceps injury and it's unclear whether he will be healthy for spring training.

France (shoulder) will expand his flat-ground throwing program to 90 feet Wednesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Working his way back from surgery in July to repair a torn right shoulder capsule, France was clocked at 72-74 mph while throwing from 75 feet, which is on target for where he's supposed to be at this stage of his rehab. The right-hander is not expected back until at least the second half of the 2025 season and might not be ready to be a real contributor for the Astros again until 2026.

Verlander said Monday that he began throwing much earlier than usual this offseason and is already touching 92 mph, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Verlander averaged 93.5 mph with his four-seamer in 2024, but at this stage of the offseason the hurler is viewing 92 mph as an encouraging sign. The righty also said he's addressed the shoulder and back issues that limited him to just 90.1 innings this past season, although it's not clear exactly what that entails. Verlander inked a one-year, $15 million contract with the Giants last week and will be looking to bounce back in 2025 in what will be his age-42 season.

The Cubs designated Arias for assignment Monday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for the signing of Colin Rea. Arias, 23, made a full-time move to relief in 2024 and split the season between Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa, compiling a 4.77 ERA and 72:48 K:BB over 60.1 innings.

The Rockies signed Woodford to a minor-league contract Sunday that includes an invitation to spring training, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Woodford made nine appearances (seven starts) between the White Sox and Pirates in 2024, posting a 7.97 ERA and 26:9 K:BB over 35 innings. He will likely compete for a swingman role in spring training but figures to be ticketed for Triple-A Albuquerque.

The Orioles claimed Contreras off waivers from the Reds on Friday.

Contreras has bounced around from the Angels to the Rangers to the Reds to the Orioles via the waivers process since late October. He is out of minor-league options, so the right-hander will have to be on Baltimore's Opening Day roster -- likely as a long reliever -- to avoid going through the waivers process again.

The Cubs agreed to terms on a one-year, $5 million contract with Rea on Friday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

The deal also includes a club option for 2026. The Brewers declined Rea's $5.5 million club option for 2025 back in November, but between his $1 million buyout and new deal with the Cubs, he'll wind up with a little more than had the option been picked up. Rea posted a 4.29 ERA and 1.26 WHIP over 32 regular-season appearances (27 starts), but he had a 3.70 ERA through the end of August before a rough September. The Cubs already have at least five starters that are probably better than Rea, so he might pitch in long relief initially.

McCullers (forearm/elbow) has resumed throwing off a mound and is hoping to return early in the 2025 season, MLB.com reports.

McCullers had surgery in June of 2023 to repair his right flexor tendon and remove a bone spur. After progressing to mound work in May last year, he had his throwing program halted and was ultimately shut down due to soreness in his pitching arm. Testing didn't reveal any structural damage and he's back to throwing off the bump again, although it sounds like it's no given he'll be ready for Opening Day. McCullers last pitched in a major-league game during the 2022 World Series.