MLB Player News

Faucher will head into spring training as the favorite to close for the Marlins, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports.

The 29-year-old right-hander took over the closer role in early August last season and recorded six saves in eight chances, finishing the year with a 3.19 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and solid 26.8 percent strikeout rate, but he missed most of September with a shoulder impingement. In his absence, Jesus Tinoco went 3-for-4 in save chances over the final weeks of the campaign, and Tinoco likely represents Faucher's biggest competition for ninth-inning work. Southpaw Andrew Nardi (elbow) could also be in the saves mix if he shows that he's healthy and can regain his 2023 form.

The Cubs designated Zastryzny for assignment Tuesday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

The 32-year-old lefty will end up as the odd man out of a 40-man roster spot in order to make room for Ryan Brasier, who was acquired from the Dodgers on Tuesday. Zastryzny appeared in nine games for the Brewers last year, surrendering just one earned run in 7.2 innings before elbow tendinitis cut his season short in late July. He also finished the Triple-A season with a 3.03 ERA across 29.2 frames, so teams looking for bullpen help may be willing to take a flier on him.

The Dodgers traded Brasier to the Cubs on Tuesday in exchange for a player to be named later or cash, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

The Dodgers will also send cash to Chicago to help pay some of the $4.5 million Brasier is owed in 2025. The veteran reliever was designated for assignment by Los Angeles on Thursday to make room for Kirby Yates. However, he has a good chance to handle high-leverage innings with his new squad after posting a 1.89 ERA and 0.82 WHIP over 66.2 frames during his time with the Dodgers.

While Kilian figures to compete for a starting job in spring training, he currently projects to fall short of earning a spot in the Cubs' rotation, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Holdovers Shota Imanaga, Justin Steele, Jameson Taillon and Javier Assad all seem positioned for rotation spots. The same is true for veteran addition Matthew Boyd. That would leave Kilian, who is out of minor-league options, looking at a long-relief role if he sticks with the team. Assad is the least experienced of those starters and could get pushed in camp, but he pitched well enough in 2024 across 29 starts and figures to have the inside track at this point. Kilian won't have a ton of fantasy value if he's stuck in Chicago's bullpen.

Festa was outrighted to Triple-A Iowa on Monday, per MLB's transactions log.

Festa was booted from the 40-man roster Tuesday to clear a spot for Ryan Pressly. The 31-year-old will report to Triple-A after failing to draw interest while on waivers.

Assad is likely vying for the Cubs' fifth rotation spot this spring, with Jordan Wicks among his top competitors, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Assad made a career-high 29 starts a season ago and held his own, compiling a 3.73 ERA and 124 strikeouts across 147 innings. A year earlier, the righty served in a swing role, as he made 10 starts and 22 relief appearances. The Cubs likely want Assad to stick in the rotation, though the top four spots seem spoken for by Justin Steele, Shota Imanaga, Jameson Taillon and new addition Matthew Boyd. That leaves Assad, Wicks and possibly others to compete for the No. 5 job. Given Assad's starting experience from 2024, he's likely the favorite at this point.

Morejon will enter spring training as a reliever, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

The Padres are in need of a fifth starter with Joe Musgrove expected to miss all or most of the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery last October. Morejon has some experience starting in the majors and made some sense as a candidate for the open rotation spot, but manager Mike Shildt said Saturday that the southpaw "has found a really nice niche in the bullpen" and is expected to continue in that role. Morejon enjoyed his best big-league campaign in 2024, posting a 2.83 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 71:21 K:BB while notching two saves and 12 holds over 63.2 innings spanning 60 relief appearances.

Santana lost his arbitration hearing against the Pirates on Saturday and will make $1.4 million in 2025, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

After being claimed off waivers from the Yankees in June, Santana emerged as a reliable high-leverage reliever, posting a 2.44 ERA and 0.92 WHIP over 44.1 innings with Pittsburgh. Despite his drastic turnaround, he will make $700,000 less in 2025 than the $2.1 million he filed for at the arbitration deadline. The 28-year-old figures to remain a high-leverage arm heading into the new season, and he could take over as the primary closer if David Bednar is unable to bounce back from his disappointing 2024 campaign.

Holmes is a favorite to begin the season as part of the Atlanta rotation, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

While team president Alex Anthopoulos could still bring in another arm before spring training begins or even during camp, as the Atlanta roster stands, Holmes seems likely to open the year as the No. 4 or No. 5 starter behind Chris Sale, Reynaldo Lopez and Spencer Schwellenbach, filling out the back of the rotation along with Ian Anderson as both right-handers are out of minor-league options. Spencer Strider is expected to miss the first month or so of the campaign as he completes his recovery from elbow surgery, but once he returns, Holmes could be the pitcher bumped to a lesser role. Over 68.1 big-league innings in 2024, Holmes posted a surprisingly effective 3.56 ERA and 1.19 WHIP with a 70:15 K:BB.

Maciejewski signed a minor-league contract with the Brewers on Friday, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Maciejewski was able to reach the big leagues for the first time in 2024, allowing two earned runs in seven innings across four appearances with the Yankees. He didn't find similar success in the minor leagues, however, accumulating a 5.37 ERA and 1.48 WHIP over 60.1 Triple-A frames. The 29-year-old southpaw will almost certainly fill in as bullpen depth at Triple-A Nashville.