MLB Player News

Yates (elbow) signed a two-year, $8.25 million contract with Atlanta on Monday which includes a team option for a third season at $5.75 million, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Yates was arguably the best reliever in the league over his last two full seasons, riding a 38.7 percent strikeout rate to 53 saves and a 1.67 ERA. Those seasons came in 2018 and 2019, however, as he missed almost the entirely of the last two years due to multiple injuries. He most recently underwent Tommy John surgery in late March, a procedure which will likely wipe out much of his 2022 season in addition to all of 2021. There's a chance Atlanta has landed a top-tier pitcher for the 2022 stretch run and beyond with this deal, but Yates will turn 35 in March, adding plenty of age-related risk to an already risky profile and giving him a very low floor to go along with his high ceiling.

Hildenberger re-signed Sunday with the Giants on a minor-league contract.

Since submitting a 3.21 ERA over 37 appearances out of the Minnesota bullpen as a rookie in 2017, Hildenberger has found limited success at the big-league level over the subsequent four seasons. He made just two appearances in the majors with the Mets in 2021 before he was waived by the organization in May and claimed by the Giants. The 30-year-old right-hander then spent the remainder of the campaign at Triple-A Sacramento, striking out a batter per inning but posting an unremarkable 4.70 ERA and 1.35 WHIP.

Arano signed a minor-league deal with the Nationals on Wednesday, according to the MLB transaction log.

Arano spent the entire 2021 season in Atlanta's organization at Triple-A Gwinnett. He threw 36 effective innings, punching out 45 and walking 15. If Arano can maintain that form in 2022, he should push for a bullpen role with the big-league club.

Nelson was claimed off waivers by the Diamondbacks on Wednesday.

Nelson was designated for assignment by the Guardians on Friday after he posted a 9.31 ERA and 1.86 WHIP in 9.2 innings across 10 major-league appearances in 2021. Although he spent most of the year in the minors, he should be in the mix for a major-league roster spot in Arizona during the 2022 campaign.

Jackson was sent from San Francisco to Atlanta in exchange for cash or a player to be named later Monday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Jackson recorded a 3.74 ERA in 21.2 innings for the Giants last season, with his 31.1 percent strikeout rate largely offsetting a high 13.3 percent walk rate and a low 27.1 percent groundball rate. He shouldn't be pitching in high-leverage situations, but he could fill a middle-relief role in Atlanta as long as he doesn't regress too much in his age-34 season.

Mejia was traded from the Guardians to the Brewers in exchange for cash or a player to be named later Monday, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Mejia struggled to an 8.25 ERA in 52.1 innings as a swingman in his MLB debut last season. His underlying numbers suggest he didn't deserve a number nearly that bad, but even his comparatively optimistic 4.71 xFIP doesn't provide much reason to get excited. He generated an above-average 47.9 percent groundball rate, something he'd done throughout the minors, but both his 19.7 percent strikeout rate and 10.1 percent walk rate were poor. Still just 25 years old, he has time to improve, but he needs some major improvements to become a notable name.

Jackson was designated for assignment Friday.

He logged a 3.25 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in 21.2 innings for the Giants last season. Now he will be subject to waivers.

Hjelle was added to the Giants' 40-man roster Friday.

As a starting pitcher who is nearly big-league ready, Hjelle was a good bet to be protected from the Rule 5 draft. He is 6-foot-11 but has solid command and has a chance to make it as a No. 4 or No. 5 starter.

Ginkel (elbow) was outrighted to Triple-A Reno on Friday.

Ginkel spent the final few weeks of the 2021 campaign on the 60-day injured list, and he'll remain off the 40-man roster after several prospects had their contracts selected Friday. The right-hander posted a 6.35 ERA and 1.55 WHIP in 28.1 innings across 32 relief appearances in the big leagues last year.

Nelson and catcher Donny Sands were traded from the Yankees to the Phillies on Friday in exchange for left-hander Joel Valdez and first baseman T.J. Rumsfield.

Nelson spent most of the 2021 season in the minors but made 11 appearances (two starts) with the Yankees. He posted a lackluster 8.79 ERA and 2.16 WHIP in 14.1 innings and will now attempt to carve out a role with his new club.