MLB Player News

Morgan agreed to a contract with the Cubs to avoid arbitration Friday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

The Cubs acquired Morgan from the Guardians on Wednesday, and he should serve as a key member of their bullpen in 2025. He's suffered from some inconsistency during four big-league seasons, though he posted a 1.93 ERA and 0.98 WHIP across 42 innings in 2024.

Thompson agreed to a contract with the Cubs on Friday to avoid arbitration, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Thompson has bounced between Triple-A Iowa and the big leagues for the last two seasons, but he was effective out of the bullpen across 30.1 innings for the Cubs in 2024 by maintaining a 2.67 ERA and 1.22 WHIP. His control (14.2 BB%) will likely keep him from a high-leverage role, but he should contribute as a reliever in 2025.

The Guardians traded Strzelecki to the Pirates on Friday in exchange for cash.

The right-hander was designated for assignment Tuesday in order to make room for Franco Aleman on the Guardians' 40-man roster, but Strzelecki will now claim a spot on Pittsburgh's 40-man instead. The 30-year-old put up a 5.01 ERA and 1.39 WHIP across 46.2 innings in the minors last season, and he will compete for a spot in the Pirates' bullpen during spring training.

Rainey was non-tendered by the Nationals on Friday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Rainey is coming off his first full campaign since undergoing Tommy John surgery. He understandably showed rust early on in 2024, but he managed a 2.88 ERA with a 22:11 K:BB across 25 innings following the All-Star break. That makes Friday's move mildly surprising, though Rainey should have the chance to latch onto another big-league roster.

Merryweather (knee) agreed to a one-year, $1.225 million contract with the Cubs on Friday to avoid arbitration, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Merryweather missed the majority of last season due to rib and knee injuries. He wasn't very effective when healthy, logging a 6.60 ERA and 1.80 WHIP in 15 innings. He'll officially stick around for another year in Chicago, though there is still no word on if he'll be ready for spring training after undergoing surgery on his right knee in late September.

Gilbreath agreed to a one-year, $785,000 contract with the Rockies on Friday to avoid arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Injuries limited Gilbreath to just three big-league appearances in 2024, during which he allowed six earned runs in only one total inning. He'll presumably be ready for the start of the new season and look to bounce back with a season that more accurately reflects his career 4.36 ERA.

The Giants and Warren avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract Friday, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Warren had qualified for arbitration for the first time as a Super 2 player. The right-handed reliever made six appearances for the Giants in 2024, allowing two runs with a 7:5 K:BB over 10.2 innings of work.

The Phillies and Ruiz avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.225 million contract Friday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

He'll have the opportunity to earn an additional $45,000 in incentives. Ruiz, 30, held a 3.71 ERA and 52:17 K:BB over 51 innings in 2024 in his first season with the Phillies.

Thompson (elbow) agreed to a one-year contract with the Nationals on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Thompson underwent Tommy John surgery shortly after reporting to spring training. He's expected to miss at least part of the 2025 regular season, though he should contribute out of the Nationals' bullpen once healthy.

Harris signed a minor-league contract with the Mets on Thursday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Harris spent the entire 2024 campaign with the Twins' Triple-A affiliate, where he logged a 6.41 ERA and 1.83 WHIP over 53.1 innings. The 31-year-old reliever will now add to the bullpen depth at Triple-A Syracuse, but his chances of making an impact with the Mets in 2025 are slim.