MLB Player News

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.

Mears and the Brewers avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $963,000 contract Thursday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Mears began the 2024 regular season with the Rockies but was traded to the Brewers in late July in exchange for Bradley Blalock and Yujanyer Herrera. Mears made 11 appearances out of the bullpen for Milwaukee before going on the 15-day injured list in late August due to right forearm inflammation. He returned for the end of the regular season and appeared in Games 1 and 3 of the National League Wild-Card round against the Mets, during which he struck out three batters across 2.1 scoreless innings.

Lawrence to a one-year, $975,000 contract with the Rockies on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Lawrence struggled mightily in 2024, finishing with a 6.49 ERA and 1.78 WHIP over 59.2 innings out of the bullpen. Playing his home games at Coors Field could be partially to blame for his poor performance, but fantasy managers would likely be better off staying away from Lawrence until he proves his solid 2023 campaign (during which he had a 3.72 ERA with 11 saves) wasn't simply an outlier.

The Dodgers and Phillips avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $6.1 million contract Thursday, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Phillips' ERA rose to 3.62 this season for the Dodgers, but he still boasted a 63:17 K:BB across 54.2 regular-season innings. The right-handed reliever was left off the team's World Series roster due to arm fatigue but is expected to be fine for spring training.

Banda agreed to a one-year, $1 million contract with the Dodgers on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

The left-hander inked a minor-league deal with the Guardians last winter and was dealt to the Dodgers in May, and he proved to be an effective bullpen piece for Los Angeles with a 3.08 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 50:18 K:BB over 49.2 regular-season innings. Banda tallied two saves and eight holds while also starting two games as an opener, and he could fill a similarly versatile role in 2025.

Romero agreed to a one-year contract with the Cardinals on Thursday to avoid arbitration.

Romero ended the season on the injured list with a forearm issue but resumed throwing early in the offseason and should be healthy for the start of spring training. The left-hander racked up 30 holds and one save with a 3.36 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 51:16 K:BB across 59 innings last year.

The Rangers traded Festa to the Cubs on Thursday in exchange for cash considerations.

The 31-year-old righty was pushed off the Rangers' 40-man roster Monday to make room for new acquisition Chris Martin but will reclaim a 40-man spot upon moving to Chicago. Festa finished 2024 with a 5.70 ERA and 1.23 WHIP across 23.2 total innings between the Mets and Rangers, and he'll now attempt to make the Cubs' bullpen as a low-leverage arm during spring training. Miles Mastrobuoni was DFA'd in a corresponding move.