MLB Player News

The Cubs claimed Merryweather off waivers from the Blue Jays on Tuesday.

Merryweather lost his spot on the Blue Jays' 40-man roster last week, when the team required a spot for the newly signed Brandon Belt. The right-hander struggled to a 6.75 ERA over 26.2 innings in 26 appearances last season while missing time with an oblique strain. He should battle for a spot in the Cubs' bullpen this spring.

Young signed a minor-league contract with the Reds on Tuesday.

The deal includes an invitation to major-league spring training. Young appeared in 24 games with the Giants last year, and registered a 2.39 ERA with a 20:11 K:BB ratio over 26.1 innings pitched. He'll have a chance to win a spot in the Cincinnati bullpen with a good showing in the Cactus League, but he shouldn't be on a fantasy radar to begin 2023.

Machado cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Rochester by the Nationals on Tuesday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

He's lost his spot on the 40-man roster but will remain in the organization. Machado collected a 3.34 ERA in 59.1 innings last season for the Nationals.

Sanchez agreed Monday with the Padres on a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to MLB spring training, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

The 33-year-old right-hander will be making his return to affiliated ball in 2023 after spending the 2020 and 2021 seasons in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball with the Yomiuri Giants before sitting out the entire 2022 campaign. Sanchez, who previously received a cup of coffee in the big leagues with Pittsburgh in 2017, submitted a 4.68 ERA and 54:23 K:BB in 73 innings over his final season in Japan.

Tapia signed a minor-league contract with the Padres on Sunday.

Tapia elected free agency earlier this offseason after spending the 2022 season in the Royals and Athletics organizations. He made all 11 of his appearances at the big-league level with Oakland, logging an 8.47 ERA and 2.29 WHIP in 17 innings. The 31-year-old right-handed reliever will likely open the 2023 campaign at Triple-A El Paso.

Phillips signed a one-year, $1.3 million contract with the Dodgers on Friday to avoid arbitration, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Phillips was simply dominant in 2022, recording a minuscule 1.14 ERA and 0.76 WHIP through 63 innings out of the bullpen. Though recreating those numbers will be almost impossible for the 28-year-old righty, Phillips will certainly see plenty of action in high-leverage situations next season.

Sims (back) signed a one-year, $1.27 million contract with the Reds on Friday to avoid arbitration, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Sims' season was cut short in 2022 after undergoing season-ending surgery on his back, and the 6.2 innings he managed to pitch early in the year weren't pretty (9.45 ERA, 1.65 WHIP). It's possible he'll work his way back into the closer role Cincinnati had planned for him going into 2022, though it may take a while before he gets there.

Antone (elbow) signed a one-year, $770,000 contract with the Reds on Friday to avoid arbitration, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Antone missed the entirety of 2022 due to Tommy John surgery, but back-to-back seasons with a sub-3.00 ERA and a strikeout rate north of 30 percent in 2020-21 is more than enough reason for the Reds to keep him around. He will likely have to slowly work back into high-leverage situations, but if he's able to return to his pre-injury form, he could take over as the Reds' closer during the season.

Arano agreed to a one-year, $925,000 contract with the Nationals on Friday to avoid arbitration, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Arano made 43 appearances for the Nationals in 2022 and had a 4.50 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 44:12 K:BB across 42 innings. The 27-year-old is likely to open 2023 in middle relief but could see high-leverage chances with a strong start to the campaign.

Finnegan signed a one-year, $2.325 million contract with the Nationals on Friday to avoid arbitration, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Finnegan collected 11 saves for the Nationals last season, posting a 3.51 ERA and 70:22 K:BB over 66.2 innings along the way. He is the favorite to open 2023 as the club's closer, although his leash wouldn't figure to be a long one.