MLB Player News

Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said Sunday the team is not looking to add another starting pitcher to replace Yovani Gallardo.

"I don't think we have room for a notable starting pitcher," Melvin said. "We'd like to add a pitcher that could be a spot starter."

Milwaukee currently has Jimmy Nelson as their fifth starter, who went 2-9 in 2014 with a 4.93 ERA and 57 strikeouts for the club.

Now that the Nationals have agreed to a contract with Max Scherzer, there is some speculation Washington could be ready to deal starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann, who will be a free agent after the 2015 season.

One potential landing spot for Zimmermann might be with the Brewers, according to FOX Sports reporter Jon Morosi. However, a trade to Milwaukee doesn't seem likely since the Brewers would probably have to include Jimmy Nelson in a trade or have Nelson start the year in the minors, if Zimmermann is acquired.

However, neither of those scenarios are going to happen, according to Brewers general manager Doug Melvin.

"Jimmy Nelson is in the rotation," Melvin told Morosi.

The 25-year-old Nelson went 2-9 with a 4.93 ERA in 14 appearances (12 starts) as a rookie in 2014. He struck out 57 batters and walked 19 in 69 1/3 innings. Nelson was considered a top-100 prospect last season by MLB.com and Baseball America.

Cubs pitcher Pedro Strop has filed for $3 million in arbitration, with the team offering $2 million, Fangraphs reports.

Strop is in his first year of arbitration eligibility. He posted a 2.21 ERA and 71:25 K:BB ratio in 61 innings over 65 appearances in 2014.

Reds pitcher Aroldis Chapman has filed for $8.7 million in arbitration, while the team has offered $6.65 million, CBSSports.com baseball insider Jon Heyman reports.

Chapman is eligible for arbitration for the second time this offseason. He racked up 36 saves in 2014, his third straight season with at least 36 saves, while also posting a 2.00 ERA and 106:24 K:BB ratio in 54 innings.

Relief pitcher Adam Ottavino and the Rockies are currently exchanging arbitration numbers, with Ottavino filing for $1.475 million and Colorado offering $1 million, according to Thomas Harding of MLB.com.

Ottavino threw 65 innings in 2014, with a 1-4 record and a 3.60 ERA for the Rockies.

The Pirates and closer Mark Melancon avoided arbitration Friday, agreeing to a one-year, $5.4 million contract, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Melancon, who is in his second year of arbitration, made $2.595 million in 2014.

Melancon totaled a career-high 33 saves in 2014. He is 6-7 with a 1.65 ERA and 49 saves in two seasons with Pittsburgh.

The Dodgers have avoided arbitration with closer Kenley Jansen and third baseman Justin Turner prior to Friday's deadline, reports the Los Angeles Times. Jansen agreed to a $7.425 million salary for 2015, while Turner settled for $2.5 million.

Last season Jansen posted a 2.76 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 101:19 K:BB ratio in 65 1/3 innings in 2014.

While the Braves have been aggressive this offseason reshaping their roster, which included trades of Jason Heyward, Justin Upton and Evan Gattis, one player not on the move is All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel, Braves president of baseball operations John Hart told MLB.com.

"We love our core group," Hart said. "We have added quality players around this group to allow us to compete while strengthening the farm system. We’ve added (Nick) Markakis, (Jason) Grilli, (Jim) Johnson, A.J. (Pierzynski) and others to help us compete this year. We have never entertained trading (Kimbrel) and have had zero conversations with any clubs about Craig. I want him finishing out a World Series win."

Kimbrel, who was NL Rookie of the Year in 2011, was an All-Star for a fourth straight season in 2014. While he was 0-3 last season, he posted a 1.61 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 47 saves in 54 appearances. He is 15-10 with a 1.43 ERA and 0.90 WHIP in five MLB seasons. He has had at least 42 saves the last four seasons.

The Yankees acquired reliever Chris Martin from the Rockies on Tuesday. The Rockies will receive cash considerations.

The 28-year-old Martin made his MLB debut in 2014, posting a 6.89 ERA and 1.66 WHIP in 16 relief outings.

In order to clear a spot on the 40-man roster, the Yankees designated reliever Gonzalez Germen for assignment.

The Phillies announced Monday they signed pitcher Jeanmar Gomez to a minor-league contract. It includes an invite to spring training.

Gomez went 2-2 with a 3.19 ERA in 44 relief appearances for the Pirates in 2014. He also had one save.