MLB Player News

Vesia and an additional prospect were traded from the Marlins to the Dodgers on Friday in exchange for Dylan Floro, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Vesia made his big-league debut in 2020 and struggled with nine earned runs allowed over 4.1 innings, and he'll now be heading to the Dodgers. The 24-year-old made nine appearances at the Double-A level in 2019 and delivered 16.1 scoreless innings with a 25:1 K:BB, and he could compete for a bullpen spot in Los Angeles.

Floro was traded from the Dodgers to the Marlins on Friday in exchange for Alex Vesia and an undisclosed prospect, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Floro doesn't have the strikeout stuff of a bullpen ace, striking out just 20.2 percent of opposing batters over the course of his five-year career, but he's had success nonetheless, posting a 3.33 ERA for his career and a 2.59 ERA in 24.1 innings last season. His 53.7 percent groundball rate has helped him keep runs off the board despite a modest amount of whiffs. That's typically a profile better suited for middle relief than high-leverage work, but the Marlins' bullpen isn't exactly full of big names, so it's entirely possible he picks up his first career save this season.

Melancon signed with the Padres on Friday, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

The financial terms of the deal have not yet been disclosed. The 35-year-old may not be the pitcher he was at his peak, when he cruised to a 1.80 ERA and saved 147 games over a four-year stretch from 2013 to 2016, but he can still help a contender like the Padres. He saved 11 games for the Braves last season while posting a 2.78 ERA, though his 14.7 percent strikeout rate was worryingly low for a high-leverage reliever. That lack of whiffs also means he's unlikely to have much fantasy value if he's not closing games, though it's entirely possible he beats out the likes of Drew Pomeranz and Emilio Pagan to become the Padres' top option in the ninth inning.

Varland and Sheldon Neuse were traded from the Athletics to the Dodgers on Friday in exchange for Adam Kolarek and Cody Thomas, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

The right-hander missed out on the 2020 campaign due to the cancelation of the minor-league season, but he could end up at Double-A this year. Varland last pitched at High-A and had a 2.39 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 27:8 K:BB over 26.1 innings.

Sborz was designated for assignment by the Dodgers on Thursday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Sborz was sent down by the Dodgers in September, and he'll now be removed from the 40-man roster to make room for right-hander Trevor Bauer. Sborz has made 11 relief appearances for the Dodgers over the past two seasons, posting a 6.08 ERA and 1.28 WHIP over 13.1 innings.

Quezada was traded from the Phillies to the Cardinals on Wednesday in exchange for cash considerations, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Quezada was claimed off waivers by Philadelphia at the end of October, but he'll now join the Cardinals ahead of spring training. The right-hander hadn't pitched above the High-A level prior to making his major-league debut in 2020. Over three relief appearances for the Marlins, Quezada allowed three runs on four hits and one walk while striking out two over three innings. If he makes the big-league roster with St. Louis, he should pitch mainly in low-leverage situations.

Sims (elbow) said on his personal Twitter page on Monday that he had no concerns regarding his readiness for Opening Day.

Reds general manager Nick Krall said Monday that Sims would be delayed to start camp due to elbow tightness. The righty didn't deny those reports but said that the delay was purely precautionary. Players are typically rather optimistic about their own health, and even if Sims opens the season without an official injury designation, he will be at a high risk of re-injury.

Sims has battled elbow tightness over the offseason and will be delayed at the start of camp, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

While it's too early to know whether or not the issue will send Sims to the injured list, it's certainly not positive news for the right-hander. He's expected to be in the mix to close games for the Reds with Raisel Iglesias now an Angel and could get quite a few opportunities if a committee approach is used, as the top two apparent alternatives (Amir Garrett and Sean Doolittle) are both left-handed. If he misses time to start the season, however, it's possible one of those two will stake a firm claim to the role before he gets the chance to be part of the competition.

Littell signed with the Giants on Wednesday as a non-roster invitee, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Littell spent the start of the 2020 season with the Twins but battled various injuries before being outrighted to the team's alternate training site. The right-hander has made 35 relief appearances in the majors over the past two seasons, recording a 3.74 ERA and 35:12 K:BB over 43.1 innings. He'll now compete for a spot in the Giants' bullpen during spring training.

Chafin signed a major-league deal with the Cubs on Tuesday, Zach Buchanan of The Athletic reports.

The 30-year-old was traded from Arizona to Chicago in August but covered only three innings after being acquired. Chafin appeared in 77 games for Arizona during 2019 and had a 3.76 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 68:18 K:BB across 52.2 innings, but the three-batter minimum will continue to limit his usage as a specialist.