MLB Player News

Rusin signed a one-year, $1.68 million contract with the Rockies on Thursday, avoiding arbitration.

After posting a 2.65 ERA across 85 innings in 2017, Rusin took a step back in 2018, making two trips to the disabled list and struggling to a 6.09 ERA and 1.50 WHIP across 54.2 innings. The southpaw ended the season on a high note, however, compiling a 2.08 ERA and 10:2 K:BB across 8.2 innings in September. The groundball pitcher should once again fill a middle-relief role for the Rockies in 2019.

Venditte was designated for assignment by the Dodgers on Wednesday.

Venditte was cast off the 40-man roster in order to make room for Adam McCreery, who was acquired from the Braves in a trade Wednesday afternoon. In 15 appearances with the Dodgers this past year, Venditte logged a 2.57 ERA and 1.00 WHIP. He will now take a spin through waivers to determine if he'll remain with Los Angeles.

Jansen (chest) is expected to start working out Monday at Dodger Stadium following heart surgery earlier this week, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Everything seems to be going as planned for Jansen following his procedure to fix an irregular heartbeat, so there shouldn't be any concern over his status heading into this upcoming spring. Aside from facing live hitters, he's been cleared to resume all baseball activities. In addition, Jansen spoke to MLB Network on Wednesday morning and emphasized that he won't have any problems pitching in the high-altitude conditions of Colorado in the future while mentioning that he will receive fluids each day the team is in Denver to make sure he's hydrated. All in all, Jansen said he's feeling great and is excited to get his heart rate up by getting back on the field next week. He should be considered one of the top ninth-inning options in 2019 and beyond.

Jansen (chest) is doing well and is expected to be ready for spring training after undergoing surgery on his heart Monday.

Jansen went under the knife to fix an irregular heartbeat that caused him trouble during the 2018 season. The procedure went as expected, and the 31-year-old closer remains on pace to take the field for spring training and to be ready for Opening Day.

Reyes (lat) is preparing for spring training as a starter, the St. Louis Post Dispatch reports.

The Cardinals are going to manage Reyes' workload carefully in 2019, regardless of what his role shapes up to be. Injuries limited him to just 27 innings in 2018, and considering that he lost all of 2017 recovering from Tommy John surgery, it's not unreasonable to think that Reyes may spend some portion of the season in the bullpen. In any case, the Cardinals will likely ensure that Reyes is completely healthy when spring training begins before his role is written in anything more than pencil, and regardless of where he begins the season, expecting anything close to a typical starter's workload for him is overzealous.

Iglesias inked a three-year contract extension that will take him through the 2021 season with the Reds.

Iglesias had previously signed a seven-year deal with the team back in 2014, but a provision allowed him the opportunity to opt out of that deal, which led both parties to an agreement on this extension. Instead of heading to arbitration the next three years, Iglesias has a secure contract until he becomes a free agent following the 2021 campaign. In 2018, he appeared in 66 games, posting a superb 2.38 ERA and 1.07 WHIP with 30 saves and 80 strikeouts in 72 innings of relief. The 28-year-old should be considered a quality asset for the coming years after converting 89 percent (64-of-72) of his save chances the past three seasons. Per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, the closer's deal is worth $24.125 million over the next three years.

Sborz was added to the Dodgers' 40-man roster Tuesday.

Sborz, a right-handed reliever, turns 25 in December and logged a 4.38 ERA in 37 innings at Triple-A last season. He struck out 47 over that span and will likely have a big-league career, but he is unlikely to emerge as a high-leverage weapon.

Coonrod was added to the Giants' 40-man roster Tuesday.

He missed almost all of the 2018 season recovering from Tommy John surgery, but was able to return in late July to pitch 11.2 innings across rehab stops in rookie ball and at High-A. Coonrod figures to be assigned to either Double-A, where he has logged 181 career innings, or Triple-A. Now that he is on the 40-man, he could be used as an emergency starter in the big leagues in 2019.

Avila joined San Diego's 40-man roster Tuesday.

Avila's contract was purchased by the Padres ahead of the Rule 5 draft. The 21-year-old reliever is expected to start the 2019 season at Double-A Amarillo after posting a 4.27 ERA with 117 strikeouts over 85 innings with High-A Lake Elsinore in 2018.

Peters was designated for assignment Tuesday, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports.

Peters was booted from the 40-man roster to make room for a prospect ahead of the Rule 5 draft deadline. He appeared in seven games (five starts) for the Marlins a season ago, struggling to a 7.16 ERA with 17 strikeouts across 27.2 frames.