MLB Player News

Perez agreed Wednesday with the Nationals on a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to big-league spring training, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Perez elected free agency after being outrighted off the Nationals' 40-man roster in November, but upon exploring his options on the open market, he ultimately decided to return to the Washington organization. He'll get a chance to vie for a spot in Washington's Opening Day bullpen, but he's more realistically ticketed for Triple-A Rochester. He spent the majority of the 2022 campaign at Rochester, submitting a 4.82 ERA and 1.43 WHIP while punching out 61 batters over 46.2 innings.

Banda signed Wednesday with the Nationals on a minor-league deal that includes an invitation to big-league spring training, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

The journeyman left-hander should get the chance to compete for a spot in the Nationals' Opening Day bullpen. He made 32 appearances at the big-league level across stops with the Blue Jays, Yankees and Pirates in 2022, logging a collective 6.75 ERA, 2.10 WHIP and 30:13 K:BB over 26.2 innings.

The Nationals designated Alexy for assignment Wednesday.

Claimed off waivers from the Rangers on Dec. 13, Alexy lasted less than a month on Washington's 40-man roster before ceding his spot to newly signed first baseman/designated hitter Dominic Smith. Assuming he passes through the waiver wire this time around without being scooped up by another organization, the 24-year-old right-hander should still get the opportunity to attend big-league spring training as a non-roster invitee while attempting to stake his claim to a back-end rotation spot for the rebuilding Nationals.

Borucki (forearm) and the Cubs agreed Wednesday on a minor-league deal, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

The contract presumably includes an invitation to big-league spring training, where Borucki will look to compete for a spot in the Cubs' Opening Day bullpen. Before putting himself in consideration for a roster spot with Chicago, the 28-year-old will first have to prove that he's fully past the left forearm strain that sidelined him for the final two months of the 2022 campaign. Prior to getting hurt last season, Borucki made 32 appearances in the majors between the Blue Jays and Mariners, netting a 5.68 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 21:11 K:BB across 25.1 innings.

Nittoli was designated for assignment by the Phillies on Wednesday.

After Philadelphia acquired Erich Uelmen from the Cubs on Wednesday, Nittoli was the odd man out, losing his spot on the 40-man roster. The right-hander spent the majority of the 2022 campaign with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre as a member of the Yankees organization, but he did join the Phillies roster late last year. Nittoli tossed two scoreless innings with Philadelphia in September and could have a shot at joining the big-league roster at some point this summer.

The Phillies acquired Uelmen from the Cubs on Wednesday in exchange for cash considerations.

Uelmen appeared in 25 games with the Cubs last season, producing a 4.67 ERA and 1.37 WHIP with 21 strikeouts over 27 innings. The 26-year-old will provide the Phillies with another right-handed option in their bullpen ahead of Craig Kimbrel, who will likely get the first shot at being the team's closer in 2023. In order to make space on the 40-man roster for Uelmen, Vinny Nittoli was designated for assignment Wednesday.

Carasiti signed a minor-league contract with the Rockies last month.

The deal includes an invitation to major-league spring training. Carasiti, 31, split 2022 between Triple-A Sacramento in the Giants organization and the independent league Long Island Ducks. He came up in the Rockies' system and first reached the majors with them back in 2016.

Reed was designated for assignment by the Dodgers on Thursday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Reed was claimed off waivers by the Dodgers in mid-November after being designated for assignment by Boston, but he'll lose his spot on the Dodgers' 40-man roster after the team announced the signing of J.D. Martinez. Reed made 18 relief appearances between the Orioles, Dodgers and Mets last year, and he posted a 7.02 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in 16.2 innings.

Luetge was traded by the Yankees to Atlanta on Wednesday in exchange for Indigo Diaz and Caleb Durbin.

After being designated for assignment by the Yankees last week, Luetge will get another chance to contribute to a major-league bullpen in Atlanta. Coming off the heels of a 2.67 ERA season through 57.1 innings, the veteran lefty has seemingly revived his career since joining the Yankees in 2021. However, Luetge will turn 36 in March, so it's worth wondering how long it will be before he starts to decline.

Wilson was designated for assignment by the Pirates on Wednesday, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

Upon the official announcement of Jarlin Garcia's arrival in Pittsburgh, Wilson was booted from the 40-man roster in order to make room for the new acquisition. Wilson has put up an ERA north of 5.30 and a 1.40+ WHIP in each of the past two seasons, so the next team to take a chance on him may place him in Triple-A until he shows signs of improvement.