MLB Player News

Wesneski is expected to begin the 2025 season in Houston's rotation, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The Astros have four clear starters in their rotation, though none of Lance McCullers (forearm), Cristian Javier (elbow) and Luis Garcia (elbow) will be ready to begin the campaign. That will open the door for Wesneski, who the club acquired as a part of the Kyle Tucker trade. Wesneski has pitched primarily as a reliever during his time in the big leagues, but he has a respectable 4.21 ERA paired with 14.8 K-BB% across 109 innings as a starter. His status could change if the Astros acquire another starter late in the offseason, though McTaggart suggested that is unlikely.

Maldonado cleared waivers Wednesday and was sent outright to Triple-A Las Vegas, Jason Burke of SI.com reports

After being DFA'd on Thursday to make room for Elvis Alvarado, Maldonado will officially stick around in the Athletics' farm system as organizational depth. The 26-year-old spent most of his time with the Marlins' Triple-A affiliate last season, turning in a 4.66 ERA and 1.48 WHIP across 46.1 innings.

The Rangers signed Festa to a minor-league contract Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Festa was traded from the Rangers to the Cubs in January before electing free agency following his removal from Chicago's 40-man roster. Now he's back in Texas, where he posted a 4.37 ERA and 23:7 K:BB over 22.2 innings covering 18 appearances last season.

The Yankees claimed White off waivers from the Reds on Wednesday.

White struggled at Triple-A Round Rock in the Rangers organization last season, posting a 5.64 ERA and 1.57 WHIP across 99 innings. He's just 25 and formerly a top prospect, though, so the Yankees felt he was worth a waiver claim. The righty is likely headed to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to begin the 2025 season.

The Blue Jays designated Petersen for assignment Tuesday, Scott Mitchell of TSN.ca reports.

Petersen was claimed off waivers from Miami early in the offseason, but the Blue Jays will now move on from him in order to create a roster spot for Max Scherzer. Petersen, 30, allowed 13 earned runs in 19.2 innings between the Dodgers and Marlins last season, but a 1.64 ERA across 33 Triple-A frames could capture the attention of bullpen-needy clubs browsing the waiver wire.

The Yankees re-signed Hill to a one-year, $2.5 million contract Tuesday that includes a $3 million club option for 2026, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

The buyout on the option is $350,000, so Hill will be guaranteed at least $2.85 million. Hill was released by the White Sox last June after putting up a 5.87 ERA and 13:10 K:BB over 23 innings. However, he quickly latched on with the Yankees and posted a 2.05 ERA and 1.02 WHIP over his final 44 regular-season innings before allowing just one earned run over 10 playoff appearances. The southpaw reliever should get some high-leverage work for the Yankees.

The Angels signed Gonzalez to a minor-league contract Jan. 14.

Gonzalez posted a 3.86 ERA but an ugly 11:13 K:BB over 23.1 innings in 2024 with the Yankees. He will provide the Angels with some left-handed relief depth.

The Twins signed Coulombe to a one-year, $3 million contract Tuesday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Coulombe missed much of the 2024 campaign following surgery to remove bone chips from his pitching elbow, but he's been excellent over the last two seasons when healthy, collecting a 2.56 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 90:17 K:BB over 81 regular-season innings. He'll be the primary lefty setup man ahead of closer Jhoan Duran.

The Rays designated Eisert for assignment Monday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for the signing of Ha-Seong Kim (shoulder). Eisert was just acquired from the Blue Jays in late January for cash considerations but will now be exposed to waivers.

Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto said Monday that Santos has already reported to the team's spring training complex and has been throwing bullpen sessions, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Santos made only eight appearances for Seattle in 2024 due to multiple arm issues, but he finished the season healthy and will head into spring training without limitations. The 25-year-old can be a key member of the Mariners' bullpen if he can stay on the bump, but he's a major health risk.