MLB Player News

Minter (hip) agreed to a two-year, $22 million contract with the Mets on Friday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

The Mets were known to be seeking a high-leverage reliever and have landed one of the better ones available in Minter. The 31-year-old southpaw was limited to 39 appearances for Atlanta in 2024 due to a left hip injury which eventually required surgery, but he was highly effective when on the bump, compiling a 2.62 ERA and 35:11 K:BB over 34.1 innings. Since 2020, Minter boasts a 2.85 ERA and 30.1 percent strikeout rate. There's no word on how far along he is in his recovery, but he will presumably be ready to go by Opening Day. He'll operate in a setup role ahead of closer Edwin Diaz next season at least, but the two-year deal has an opt-out after 2025.

Atlanta claimed Willingham off waivers from the Nationals on Friday.

Willingham had been designated for assignment and is now on the move to another 40-man roster in the NL East. The 26-year-old has made 19 appearances in the majors since the start of the 2023 season, collecting a 7.11 ERA and 16:9 K:BB across 25.1 frames.

The Brewers designated Bukauskas for assignment Friday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

The transaction creates space on the 40-man roster for the signing of Elvin Rodriguez. Bukauskas was injured for much of 2024 with triceps and oblique problems, but he pitched well when available, yielding one run with a 6:1 K:BB in six innings. There could be interest in the 28-year-old via trade or waivers.

The Brewers signed Rodriguez to a one-year contract with a club option for 2026, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Rodriguez spent the last year-and-a-half in Japan with the Yakult Swallows, posting a 2.77 ERA and 67:25 K:BB across 78 innings. The right-hander has eight appearances under his belt at the major-league level, having allowed 35 runs in 33 frames.

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.