MLB Player News

The Diamondbacks and Nelson (shoulder) avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $825,000 contract Thursday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Nelson had been eligible for arbitration for the first time. The left-hander missed most of the 2024 season after undergoing thoracic outlet surgery in May, and while he should have a shot to be ready for the start of the 2025 campaign, it's a notoriously tricky operation to come back from.

The Nationals and Adams avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $850,000 contract Thursday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Adams is a career .224/.304/.378 hitter over parts of four big-league seasons and was eligible for arbitration for the first time. He's out of minor-league options, so he'll either open 2025 as the Nationals' backup catcher or be exposed to waivers.

Smith signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Diamondbacks on Wednesday to avoid arbitration, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Smith's salary will more than double in 2025 after he slashed .270/.348/.547 with nine homers and 36 RBI over 158 plate appearances last season. With Joc Pederson now in Texas, Smith is likely to step in as Arizona's primary DH against right-handed starters, with occasional appearances at first base or in the outfield also possible.

The Giants designated Warren for assignment Wednesday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Sam Huff, who was claimed off waivers from Texas. Warren made six appearances for the Giants in 2024, allowing two runs with a 7:5 K:BB over 10.2 innings. He and the Giants had avoided arbitration with a one-year contract agreement back in November.

The Giants claimed Huff off waivers from the Rangers on Wednesday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Huff has held his own during his rare opportunities in the majors with a .768 OPS and 10 home runs in 214 career plate appearances, although that's come with a 33.6 percent strikeout rate. He's out of options, so the Giants will need to carry him on their Opening Day roster in 2025 or put him back through waivers.

Garrett will miss the 2025 season after undergoing UCL revision surgery with an internal brace in December, Craig Mish of the Miami Herald reports.

Garrett made just seven starts for the Marlins during the 2024 season due to forearm and elbow problems and his UCL finally gave out. The left-hander had Tommy John surgery previously, so while the December operation was less invasive, it will still be a very lengthy rehab. If all goes well, it's possible Garrett is ready for the start of the 2026 season.

The Nationals designated Adon (biceps) for assignment Wednesday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Amed Rosario. Adon holds a career 6.66 ERA over 35 appearances (26 starts) at the major-league level. He ended the 2024 season on the injured list with a biceps strain and it's unclear what his current health situation is.

The Nationals signed Rosario to a one-year, $2 million contract Wednesday.

All four of the Nationals' projected starting infielders bat left-handed, so the right-handed-hitting Rosario is a nice fit as someone who should play regularly against lefty pitchers. The 29-year-old sports a career .298/.337/.460 batting line versus southpaws and slashed .294/.325/.412 against them in 2024.

The Astros traded Kessinger to the Diamondbacks on Tuesday in exchange for Matthew Linskey, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The signing of Christian Walker caused Kessinger to lose his spot on Houston's 40-man roster in December, and he will now look to work his way back into the majors in the D-backs organization. The 27-year-old infielder owns just a .456 OPS through 70 career MLB plate appearances but slashed .262/.337/.388 over 67 Triple-A games last season. He'll most likely remain in the minors upon joining his new club.

Verlander signed a one-year, $15 million contract with the Giants on Tuesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Verlander battled shoulder and neck injuries in 2024, the latter of which he's hinted at returning too soon from and could have played a factor in him finishing the year with a 5.48 ERA and 1.38 WHIP over 90.1 innings -- easily the worst line of his illustrious career. Set to turn 42 in February, he's unlikely to approach numbers similar to his 2022 AL Cy Young campaign, though a full offseason of recovery could enable the veteran righty to return to form as a quality starter in 2025.