MLB Player News

Diekman signed a one-year, $4 million contract with the Mets on Friday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The deal also includes a vesting option for 2025. Diekman held a 2.18 ERA and 53:25 K:BB over 45.1 innings for the Rays last season after being released by the White Sox. The left-handed reliever has a long history of control problems and swing-and-miss ability and the Mets will be hoping for more of the latter than the former in 2024.

Fujinami agreed to a one-year, $3.35 million contract with the Mets on Friday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

The Japanese right-hander made his MLB debut with Oakland as a starter last season but was moved to the bullpen after posting a 14.26 ERA in the rotation. Fujinami pitched better as a reliever and was dealt to Baltimore in July, though his 4.85 ERA for his new club still wasn't pretty. He has plenty of strikeout potential with a 98-plus-mph fastball, but his 9.5 K/9 was underwhelming while his 5.1 BB/9 illustrated his control issues.

Scott will join big-league camp with the Mets to begin spring training, Abbey Mastracco of the New York Daily News reports.

The organization's top pitching prospect is coming off a breakout 2023 season in which he climbed up to Double-A and posted a 2.47 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and dazzling 77:8 K:BB over 12 starts and 62 innings for Binghamton. Scott isn't on the 40-man roster yet after being a fifth-round pick in 2021, but he's still a candidate to bolster the big-league rotation at some point in 2024 if last year's success carries forward into Triple-A.

Carasiti signed a minor-league contract with the Rockies on Jan. 29 that includes an invitation to spring training.

Carasiti was roughed up to the tune of a 6.29 ERA and 16:11 K:BB across 24.1 frames for the Rockies last season, but they saw enough promise in him to bring him back. The 32-year-old reliever figures to open the 2024 campaign at Triple-A Albuquerque.

Giles signed a minor-league contract with Atlanta on Friday that includes an invitation to spring training.

Giles held a showcase for teams last month and came out of it with a deal from Atlanta. The veteran reliever allowed 19 earned runs in 18 innings last season at Triple-A Oklahoma City and made just nine total appearances in the majors from 2020-22 due to injury. Still, the 33-year-old righty has 115 career saves and a 12.3 K/9 over 362 big-league relief appearances, and he carries little risk as a non-roster invitee.

Middleton signed a one-year, $6 million contract with the Cardinals on Thursday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

The deal also includes a $5 million club option for 2025. Middleton was a quality middle reliever for the Yankees and White Sox last season, maintaining a 3.38 ERA and 1.24 WHIP across 50.2 innings -- his heaviest workload in the majors since 2017. He's unlikely to factor into the saves picture with his new club, but he should bolster the middle of the bullpen.

Small was designated for assignment by the Brewers on Thursday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Small was selected in the first round of the 2019 Draft and rose quickly through Milwaukee's minor-league system. However, he's made just four big-league appearances and shifted to a relief role in 2023. Due to his former prospect pedigree, Small could be claimed by a team on waivers.

Hall was traded from the Orioles to the Brewers along with Joey Ortiz and the 34th pick in the 2024 MLB Draft in exchange for Corbin Burnes on Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Hall was once viewed as a top prospect as a starting pitcher, though he's made only one start in 29 appearances in the majors. He was effective as a reliever in 2023, posting a 3.26 ERA and 1.19 WHIP across 19.1 innings for Baltimore after a disrupted offseason caused him to begin the year at less than full strength, though he also covered 49 frames in the minors. However, Hall should have a renewed chance to join a big-league rotation with Milwaukee, and he will likely compete for the role in spring training with the likes of Colin Rea and Joe Ross.

Rucker was designated for assignment by the Cubs on Thursday, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

The 29-year-old reliever loses his spot on the 40-man roster in favor Hector Neris, whose signing became official. Rucker has put up a 4.96 ERA and 120:50 K:BB covering 123.1 innings out of the Cubs' bullpen over the last three seasons.

Hughes signed a minor-league contract with the Diamondbacks on Thursday and received an invitation to major-league spring training.

Hughes holds a 3.91 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in the majors since debuting in 2022, but he surrendered 11 earned runs in just 13.2 innings last season before undergoing season-ending knee surgery in June. The 28-year-old southpaw will now get a chance to redeem himself in the spring, and he could become an important part of Arizona's bullpen if he returns to his 2022 form.