MLB Player News

The Guardians signed Pint to a minor-league contract Wednesday.

The No. 4 overall pick in the 2016 First-Year Player Draft, Pint has failed to live up to expectations, in large part due to an inability to find the strike zone. He made five appearances with the Rockies over the last two seasons, allowing nine runs with a 7:8 K:BB over 3.2 frames. He'll be in minor-league camp during spring training and likely begin the 2025 season at Triple-A Columbus.

The Guardians designated Avila for assignment Wednesday.

The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Paul Sewald. Avila, 28, held a 3.81 ERA and 82:36 K:BB over 82.2 regular-season innings for the Guardians in 2024. There might be interest in Avila via trade or waivers, but his lack of minor-league options will limit his appeal.

The Guardians signed Sewald to a one-year, $6 million contract Wednesday that includes a $10 million mutual option for 2026, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

He'll get a $1 million buyout if the mutual option isn't exercised, bringing the total guarantee to $7 million. Sewald missed some time with injury and lost his closer job with the Diamondbacks in 2024, ultimately finishing with a 4.31 ERA and 43:10 K:BB over 39.2 innings. However, from 2021 to 2023 he held a 2.95 ERA and had a 33.9 percent strikeout rate. Sewald will help set up for Emmanuel Clase in Cleveland.

The Blue Jays signed Lovelady to a minor-league contract Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Lovelady posted a 4.46 ERA and 1.31 WHIP over 34.1 innings between the Cubs and Rays in 2024. The left-handed reliever has limited lefty hitters to a .232/.312/.342 batting line in his career and will compete for a spot in the Blue Jays' bullpen.

The Blue Jays signed Bethancourt to a minor-league contract Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Bethancourt joins the competition to serve as Toronto's backup catcher behind starter Alejandro Kirk. The 33-year-old had an .814 OPS in 24 games for the Cubs in 2024 after the Marlins cut him loose, but between the two stops he managed just a .608 OPS.

Twins manager Rocco Baldelli named Lopez the team's Opening Day starter Wednesday, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

It's pretty early to be naming an Opening Day starter, but Baldelli chose to let the cat out of the bag during an interview on the Inside Twins podcast. Lopez had a relatively disappointing 2024, going 15-10 while posting a 4.08 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 198:41 K:BB over 185.1 innings. His xERA was 3.67, however, and he posted a 2.77 mark in 13 second-half starts.

The Rays and Walls avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.35 million contract with a $2.45 million club option for 2026 on Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The buyout on the option is $50,000, so Walls is guaranteed at least $1.4 million. Walls, 28, slashed only .183/.282/.248 over 84 games for the Rays in 2024 but remains an excellent defender and should get ample time at shortstop in 2025.

The Athletics traded Klein to the Mariners on Tuesday in exchange for international slot money.

After the trade, Klein was added to Seattle's 40-man roster. The right-hander was designated for assignment Friday, but he had the tools to drive interest of other clubs. The Mariners will be the hard thrower's third ball club after beginning his career with the Royals.

The White Sox designated Marinaccio for assignment Tuesday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The club needed to free up a spot on its 40-man roster with the signing of Martin Perez becoming official. Marinaccio was a waiver claim late last season and hasn't made an appearance for the White Sox. The 29-year-old holds a 3.22 ERA and 137:61 K:BB over 114.2 relief innings at the big-league level and could draw interest via trade or waivers.

The Angels and Quijada avoided arbitration by agreeing to a $1.075 million contract Tuesday.

The deal also includes a $3.75 million club option for 2026. Quijada, 29, has missed much of the last two seasons while recovering from Tommy John surgery, but he returned in late July this past season and posted a 3.26 ERA and 24:17 K:BB over 19.1 innings. He could see some high-leverage relief work for the Angels in 2025.