MLB Player News

Stratton (knee) is expected to be ready to pitch at the start of spring training, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Stratton posted a video of him throwing off of a mound Thursday, around a month before pitchers report to spring training. He ruptured his patella tendon in late August but appears to be ahead of schedule in his recovery. Though Stratton will be in camp on a minor-league deal, he was effective in 2024 and should contribute out of the bullpen again in 2025.

Atlanta signed Jimenez to a minor-league contract Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Mike Rodriguez reports.

Jimenez, 30, was non-tendered by the Athletics back in November after posting a 4.91 ERA and 25:19 K:BB over 25.2 innings during the 2024 season. The righty reliever has struck out nearly a batter per inning in his career but has also walked 54 over 84.2 frames.

The Pirates acquired de Geus from the Blue Jays on Wednesday in exchange for cash considerations, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

De Geus had been designated for assignment but will now join a new 40-man roster. The 27-year-old owns a 7.48 ERA and 1.71 WHIP over 61.1 career big-league innings. He'll compete for a bullpen job this spring but does have minor-league options remaining.

The Mets claimed Warren off waivers from the Giants on Wednesday, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Warren, who turns 29 in February, yielded two runs with a 7:5 K:BB over 10.2 innings with the Giants in 2024. He'll compete for a spot in the Mets' bullpen but is likelier to wind up at Triple-A Syracuse to begin the season.

The Pirates signed Smith to a minor-league contract Monday that includes an invitation to spring training.

Smith, 34, collected a 4.95 ERA and 46:12 K:BB across 56.1 innings between the Marlins and Orioles this past season. The veteran right-hander will compete for a bullpen job in spring training.

Diaz signed a minor-league contract with the Giants on Dec. 28.

The Astros released Diaz in late May after he started the Triple-A season with a 9.64 ERA through 14 innings. He then signed with the Tigers and finished the year allowing just seven earned runs over 32 minor-league frames. If the 30-year-old righty is able to continue his dominant run in 2025, he may have a chance at contributing to the Giants' bullpen throughout the year.

The Nationals designated Willingham for assignment Saturday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

With Jorge Lopez (groin) signing a one-year deal with the Nats on Saturday, Willingham will end up as the odd man out of a roster spot. The 26-year-old righty spent most of his time last season with Triple-A Rochester, where he logged a 3.69 ERA and 1.35 WHIP alongside a 71:31 K:BB across 68.1 innings.

Lopez (groin) signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Nationals on Saturday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

After being unceremoniously cut by the Mets midway through last season, Lopez signed with the Cubs and immediately went on one of the best statistical runs of his career, turning in a 2.03 ERA and 1.09 WHIP across 26.2 innings with Chicago. The 31-year-old reliever still holds a 5.25 ERA over his nine-year career, but his recent performance and a lack of depth in Washington's bullpen could allow him to appear regularly in high-leverage situations.

Thompson agreed on a one-year contract with the Diamondbacks on Thursday to avoid arbitration.

Thompson and Arizona were able to reach a deal before Thursday's deadline, though the complete details of the contract are currently unknown. The right-hander appeared in 67 regular-season games with the Diamondbacks in 2024, producing a 3.26 ERA and 1.19 WHIP with 52 strikeouts, two saves and 24 holds over 66.1 innings. Thompson will likely continue to operate as a high-leverage reliever with Arizona in 2025.

Mantiply and the Diamondbacks avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.7 million contract Thursday, Kiley McDaniel of ESPN.com reports.

Mantiply finished the 2024 regular season with a 6-2 record across 75 appearances (including two starts) and posted 16 holds with a 3.92 ERA and 1.17 WHIP across 59.2 innings. The 33-year-old out of Virginia Tech will provide the Diamondbacks with a southpaw option out of the bullpen for the 2025 campaign.