MLB Player News

Edwards signed a one-year, $1.5 million deal with the Cubs on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

Edwards posted a career-best 2.60 ERA in 52 innings for the Cubs last season, with a strong 30.2 percent strikeout rate offsetting a high 14.4 percent walk rate. He'll fill a high-leverage relief role for the team again this season.

Yates agreed to a one-year, $3.0625 million deal with the Padres, avoiding arbitration, Robert Murray of The Athletic reports.

He earned every penny of this raise, logging a 2.14 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 90 strikeouts in 63 innings last year. While Yates is entering his age-32 season, he will still have another year of arbitration in 2020 before he can hit the open market for a proper payday.

Smith signed a one-year, $4.225 million contract with the Giants on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Smith had a solid year at the back end of the Giants bullpen with a 2.55 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 71:15 K:BB and 14 saves, though manager Bruce Bochy wouldn't commit to him as the team's closer for 2019. The 29-year-old is the best bet to open the season in the closer's role, but should be featured in a high-leverage role regardless.

Chafin signed a one-year, $1.945 million contract with the Diamondbacks on Friday to avoid arbitration, Robert Murray of The Athletic reports.

Chafin had a good year out of the bullpen for the Diamondbacks in 2018, posting a 3.10 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 9.7 K/9 across 49.1 innings. The 28-year-old's 2.65 FIP also suggests some room for improvement as he should once again serve as a situational left-hander for Arizona.

Vizcaino signed a one-year, $4.8 million contract with the Braves on Friday to avoid arbitration, Robert Murray of The Athletic reports.

Vizcaino has a 2.54 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 9.8 K/9 over 95.2 innings out of Atlanta's bullpen the last two seasons as he enters his final year under team control. The 28-year-old missed a good chunk of 2018 due to shoulder inflammation but should begin the season as a primary option at closer for the Braves, with left-hander A.J. Minter also potentially in the mix.

Neris agreed to a one-year, $1.8 million contract with the Phillies on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

After being the team's primary closer in 2017, Neris struggled to the tune of a 5.10 ERA and lost the ninth-inning role. He found success in the majors after returning from a tune-up at Triple-A, posting a 2.04 ERA and a 35:5 K:BB in 17.2 innings. Even if he isn't getting save opportunities in 2019, his good strikeout numbers could offer some value in deeper leagues.

Nelson told MLB Network Radio on Wednesday that he expects to enter spring training 100 percent healthy. "That's the goal. I'm on track right now to throw my bullpens like normal leading into spring training."

Nelson spent the entire 2018 campaign recovering from a shoulder injury. Barring any setbacks, it sounds like the right-hander will be fully operational for the start of spring training, putting him in line to open the season in Milwaukee's starting rotation. The 29-year-old is a bit of a wild card for fantasy owners, but he could prove valuable if he's able to return to his pre-injury form (3.49 ERA, 10.2 K/9. 2.5 BB/9 across 175.1 innings in 2017).

Santillan was invited to Cincinnati's major-league spring training camp Wednesday.

Santillan reached Double-A for the first time in the middle of last season, making 11 starts for Pensacola with a solid 3.61 ERA. It would be a surprise to see him open the year in the majors, but more strong performances to start this season could lead to a debut at some point this year.

Santiago signed a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training with the Mets on Saturday, Matt Ehalt of The Bergen Record reports.

Santiago spent 2018 with the White Sox, starting seven games and appearing in 42 more in relief. His 4.41 ERA and 22.4 percent strikeout rate are respectable, but he walked 13.0 percent of opposing batters and finished with a 5.09 FIP. His FIP hasn't been below 5.00 since 2015. He'll likely be battling for a long-relief role in New York but could wind up making a handful of starts if things break his way.

Paredes signed a minor-league contract with the Phillies on Friday, Brandon Warne of ZoneCoverage.com reports.

Paredes had been with the Dodgers for the last two seasons, throwing 16 major-league innings. His career 4.50 ERA is unremarkable, with his 29.7 percent strikeout rate and 3.1 percent walk rate so far not being enough to overcome a very low 23.8 percent groundball rate. It will likely take an injury or two for him to claim a place in the Phillies' bullpen.