MLB Player News

Antone was mentioned as one of the internal alternatives at closer by manager David Bell following the trade of Raisel Iglesias to the Angels, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Antone split time between the rotation and the bullpen in his rookie season, starting four games while relieving in nine others, often pitching multiple innings. He proved to have quite a bit of success in relief and missed plenty of bats along the way. The one statistical red flag is that he gave up 16 walks in 35.1 innings.

Sims is among the internal candidates for the closer's job after Raisel Iglesias was traded to the Angels, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Manager David Bell also mentioned Amir Garrett and Tejay Antone among the possible candidates. Sims built off of a 2019 breakout in the Reds bullpen, posting a 2.45 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 34:11 K:BB over 25.2 IP in 2020 while tallying five holds. Garrett has verbally staked his claim on the role, but we haven't yet seen what else the Reds will do this offseason, let alone how Bell intends to handle the position.

Bard signed a one-year, $2.925 million deal with the Rockies on Tuesday to avoid arbitration, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

The 35-year-old returned to the big leagues from a six-year absence in 2020 and delivered a 3.65 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 27:10 K:BB over 24.2 innings while converting all six save chances. Bard finished the campaign as Colorado's primary closer and should enter spring training as the favorite for the job in 2021.

Lamet's (elbow) throwing program remains on schedule, Annie Heilbrunn of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Lamet missed the end of the regular season and the entirety of the playoffs due to an elbow injury, a rather disappointing conclusion to a campaign which had seen the righty produce a 2.09 ERA and 0.86 WHIP in 12 starts in his first full season back from Tommy John surgery. He's so far avoided surgery this time around, and his platelet-rich plasma treatment appears to be having the desired effect, but his injury history means the Padres will have to continue to manage his recovery carefully.

Nelson (back) signed a minor-league contract with the Dodgers on Friday that includes an invitation to spring training, Alanna Rizzo of Spectrum SportsNet LA reports.

Nelson's $2 million team option was declined by the Dodgers at the end of October, but he'll return to the organization on a minor-league pact. He underwent lumbar surgery in July that forced him to miss the entire 2020 season, and the right-hander has now missed two of the past three seasons due to injuries. However, Nelson will get to work with the major-league coaching staff during spring training as he attempts to work his way back into game action.

Stewart signed a minor-league contract with the Dodgers on Friday, Alanna Rizzo of Spectrum SportsNet LA reports.

Stewart didn't play in 2020 after he was released by the Cubs in May, but he'll return to the Dodgers on a minor-league deal. He'll get to work with the major-league coaching staff during spring training, but he hasn't had much success in the majors during his career.

Biddle (shoulder) signed a minor-league contract with the Reds on Friday that includes an invitation to spring training.

Biddle spent the last month of the 2020 season on the injured list with a left shoulder injury, and he was outrighted to Triple-A Louisville in October. He'll get to work with the major-league coaching staff during spring training in 2021 after his injury-shortened campaign last season.

Pop was traded from the Diamondbacks to the Marlins on Thursday in exchange for a player to be named later.

Pop was selected by Arizona during Thursday's Rule 5 draft, but he'll be flipped to Miami several hours after his selection. The right-hander could reach 100 mph with his fastball earlier in his career, but it's unclear where his velocity is following Tommy John surgery in May of 2019. He should be fully healthy heading into spring training and will likely see work in lower-leverage situations as he works his way back into game action.

The Diamondbacks selected Pop with the sixth pick of the Rule 5 draft.

Pop was originally drafted by the Dodgers and was traded to Baltimore in the Manny Machado trade. He had Tommy John surgery in May of 2019 and could touch 100 mph with his fastball prior to the surgery. This past September, Pop was back to "full go," so he should head to spring training without restrictions. The Diamondbacks will likely ease him back in low-leverage situations out of the bullpen in 2021.

The Pirates selected Soriano (elbow) with the first pick of the Rule 5 draft.

Soriano underwent Tommy John surgery in February of 2020, so he could open the year on the injured list for the Pirates. That may have been part of the appeal, as Soriano won't necessarily take up an active roster spot early in the season, which gives the Pirates more roster flexibility. Before going under the knife, Soriano logged a 2.55 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 84 strikeouts in 77.2 innings at Low-A. He has a solid fastball/curveball combo that could play up out of the bullpen, but Soriano lacks the polish and upper-level experience to have success in the majors in 2021.