MLB Player News

Snider was designated for assignment by the Diamondbacks on Tuesday.

Snider is the 40-man roster casualty as the Diamondbacks officially add Joc Pederson. The 28-year-old was a waiver claim of Arizona's last month and will go through that process again. He holds a career 5.93 ERA and 33:28 K:BB over 54.2 innings in the majors.

Lovelady signed a minor-league contract with the Cubs on Monday, Driveline Baseball reports.

Lovelady had a throwing session at Driveline on Monday and came out of it with a deal from the Cubs. The left-handed reliever missed a chunk of the 2023 season with a strained forearm, but it would appear he is now healthy. Lovelady holds a career 5.26 ERA and 64:25 K:BB over 65 innings covering parts of four major-league seasons.

Edward signed a minor-league contract with the Cubs on Saturday that includes an invitation to spring training, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

It's a return to where Edwards first reached the big leagues and had his most successful seasons. Edwards posted a 3.69 ERA and 24:17 K:BB over 31.2 frames with the Nationals in 2023. He missed the last three months of the season with a shoulder issue but presumably will be healthy heading into camp.

Hernandez signed a minor-league contract with the Padres on Friday that includes an invitation to spring training.

Hernandez elected free agency after losing his spot on the Padres' 40-man roster back in November, but he's now back with the club as a non-roster invitee. The 29-year-old was knocked around during his brief time in the majors in 2023 but held a 3.84 ERA and 82:21 K:BB over 61 innings between Double-A San Antonio and Triple-A El Paso.

Ottavino signed a one-year, $4.5 million contract with the Mets on Saturday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Ottavino declined his player option worth $6.75 million earlier in the season, and the fact $4 million of that salary would have been deferred likely played a part in that decision. He'll now stick with the Mets on a cheaper deal and likely reprise his role as a high-leverage reliever. The 38-year-old righty logged a 3.21 ERA and 1.22 WHIP with 62 strikeouts in 61.2 innings last season while collecting a career-best 12 saves. Less ninth-inning work is likely in 2024 with closer Edwin Diaz back and healthy, however.

Neris signed a one-year, $9 million contract with the Cubs on Saturday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Neris posted the best numbers of his career in 2023 with a 1.71 ERA and 1.05 WHIP while striking out 77 batters in 68.1 frames and picking up 31 holds. The 34-year-old righty will immediately slide into a high-leverage role with Chicago, and he could be in the mix for save chances alongside Adbert Alzolay. Neris' new deal includes a $9 million team option for 2025 that turns into a player option if he pitches in 60 games this year -- a mark he has hit in each of the past three seasons.

Festa signed a minor-league contract with the Padres on Friday and received an invitation to major-league spring training.

Festa pitched in parts of four seasons for the Mariners before being DFA'd in August, accumulating a 4.32 career ERA and 1.32 WHIP in 93.2 total innings. He'll get a chance to make the Padres' Opening Day roster, though his role likely caps out as a middle reliever.

Peterson signed a minor-league contract with the Dodgers on Friday that includes an invitation to spring training, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Peterson, 29, spent last season in the Rockies organization split between Double-A Hartford and Triple-A Albuquerque, holding a 3.46 ERA and 49:25 K:BB over 41.2 relief innings. The tall right-hander has never appeared in the big leagues.

Curtiss signed a minor-league contract with the Rockies on Thursday that includes an invitation to spring training.

Curtiss underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow in August but should be ready for the start of the 2024 season. The 30-year-old reliever has collected a career 3.81 ERA and 103:32 K:BB over 106.1 innings covering parts of six major-league seasons.

Chapman signed a contract with Pittsburgh on Monday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Chapman is headed to his fourth team in the last three seasons, as he made 43 appearances for the Yankees in 2022 and then began the 2023 campaign in Kansas City before finishing out the year in Texas. Following a 30-save season in 2021 with the Yankees, the fireballer has struggled to hold down a closer's role, securing 15 total saves over the last two years. David Bednar will undoubtedly remain the closer in Pittsburgh after putting together the best season of his young career in 2023, but Chapman will likely be in line for high-leverage opportunities and the occasional save chance in 2024.