MLB Player News

The Dodgers designated Cartaya for assignment Friday, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for the signing of Hyeseong Kim. Cartaya was one of the top prospects in baseball just a couple years ago, but he slashed only .189/.278/.379 at Double-A Tulsa in 2023 and .221/.323/.363 between Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City in 2024. He's just 23, so Cartaya should draw trade or waivers interest from an organization with a 40-man roster that's not as loaded as the Dodgers'.

Jay was designated for assignment by the Brewers on Thursday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

The Brewers acquired Grant Anderson from the Rangers, and Jay was DFA'd to clear a place on the 40-man roster. Jay made his big-league debut in 2024 but threw only 7.2 innings at the level.

Anderson was traded from the Rangers to the Brewers in exchange for Mason Molina on Thursday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Anderson was designated for assignment Monday to make room for Joc Pederson on the Rangers' 40-man roster, though it's not necessarily a big surprise for another team to show interest in him. He's posted strikeout rates of 38.3 and 28.3 percent with Triple-A Round Rock in each of the last two seasons, giving him enough strikeout upside to contribute out of a big-league bullpen.

Luzardo told reporters Monday that he's "100 percent" recovered from the lumbar stress reaction that cost him the final three-plus months of the season, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

The left-hander said he's "felt 100 percent the whole offseason" and is going through his normal throwing program. Acquired by the Phillies from the Marlins via trade in December, Luzardo posted a 5.00 ERA while being limited to just 12 starts in 2024 due to a flexor strain and back problem, but the 27-year-old is confident he can bounce back with his new team now that he's healthy. Luzardo held a 3.48 ERA and 28.7 percent strikeout rate from 2022 to 2023.

Rockies general manager Bill Schmidt said last week that Bryant is slated to be used at designated hitter and in right field in 2025, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Schmidt indicated that Bryant could see more of his starts in right field on the road, where he would have less ground to cover than in spacious Coors Field. Bryant is also capable of playing first base, but Michael Toglia is pegged for everyday duty there. It would make sense for the Rockies to use Bryant mostly at DH in an effort to keep him healthy, but Schmidt said of the soon-to-be 33-year-old that "I don't see him strictly as a DH." Bryant has played just 159 games in three seasons for the Rockies, mostly due to back and foot issues, but he is expected to enter spring training healthy.

The Cubs signed Thielbar to a one-year contract Tuesday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Thielbar will turn 38 in January and had a down 2024 season, posting a 5.32 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 53:24 K:BB over 47.1 innings. However, he boasted a 30.6 percent strikeout rate and 7.0 percent walk rate from 2021 to 2023, so the left-handed reliever seems like a fine gamble on a one-year deal.

The Cubs signed Heller to a minor-league contract Monday, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Heller, 33, made eight appearances with the Pirates in 2024, posting an 11.25 ERA and 15:6 K:BB over 12 frames. He ended the season on the injured list with a shoulder problem, but the Cubs must feel confident in the reliever's current health status.

The Nationals have agreed to terms with Williams on a two-year, $14 million contract, Stephen J. Nesbitt of The Athletic reports.

Williams was limited to just 13 starts in 2024 due to a right flexor strain, but he finished the season healthy and collected a 2.03 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 59:18 K:BB over 66.2 innings. The veteran right-hander will turn 33 in April and has an uneven track record, but the Nationals are betting on what Williams did in 2024 to be at least somewhat repeatable.

Bell signed a one-year, $6 million contract with the Nationals on Sunday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Bell will return to Washington, where he previously played in 2021 and part of 2022. The 32-year-old played in 145 games between the Marlins and Diamondbacks in 2024, batting .249 with 19 home runs, 71 RBI and 62 runs scored. With Nathaniel Lowe set to hold down first base with the Nationals this season, Bell will likely use his switch-hitting ability to operate as the team's primary designated hitter in 2025.

Tarnok signed a contract with the Marlins on Sunday that includes an invitation to spring training, Aram Leighton of Just Baseball reports.

Tarnok appeared in 21 games between Triple-A Las Vegas and Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2024, producing an 8.16 ERA with 34 strikeouts over 28.2 innings. He'll now get a shot at proving himself with Miami in the spring. Tarnok will be looking to make his first appearance in the majors since the 2023 campaign with Oakland.