MLB Player News

The Cubs signed Heller to a minor-league contract Monday, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Heller, 33, made eight appearances with the Pirates in 2024, posting an 11.25 ERA and 15:6 K:BB over 12 frames. He ended the season on the injured list with a shoulder problem, but the Cubs must feel confident in the reliever's current health status.

Tarnok signed a contract with the Marlins on Sunday that includes an invitation to spring training, Aram Leighton of Just Baseball reports.

Tarnok appeared in 21 games between Triple-A Las Vegas and Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2024, producing an 8.16 ERA with 34 strikeouts over 28.2 innings. He'll now get a shot at proving himself with Miami in the spring. Tarnok will be looking to make his first appearance in the majors since the 2023 campaign with Oakland.

The Padres signed Gillaspie to a minor-league contract Dec. 12, per his MLB.com player profile.

Gillaspie is a 27-year-old right-hander who began his professional career playing on the independent circuit before getting a look in the Brewers organization in 2018. He's appeared in the majors each of the past three campaigns -- the first two with Baltimore and last season with San Diego -- compiling a 5.02 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 25:8 K:BB over 37.2 innings covering 37 regular-season appearances (all out of the bullpen). Gillaspie will serve as organizational bullpen depth now that he's back in the Padres' minor-league system.

The Phillies signed Kuhnel to a minor-league contract on Dec. 21, Steve Potter of PhilliesBaseballFan.com reports.

Kuhnel, who turns 30 in February, has collected a career 5.86 ERA and 76:24 K:BB over 93.2 innings covering parts of five seasons at the major-league level. The big righty will give the Phillies some experienced relief depth.

The Phillies signed Zuniga to a minor-league contract on Dec. 13.

Zuniga has battled injuries the last two seasons and posted a 5.03 ERA and 16:8 K:BB across 19.2 frames during his time in the majors. The 26-year-old is likely to start the 2025 campaign at Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

The Giants re-signed Burgos to a minor-league contract on Dec. 14.

Burgos made one appearance for the Giants in 2024 before being removed from their 40-man roster, but he'll stick around in the organization on a minors pact. The 26-year-old posted a 1.69 ERA and 27:5 K:BB across 26.2 innings at Triple-A Sacramento in 2024.

Atlanta signed De Los Santos to a minor-league contract on Dec. 15.

De Los Santos pitched for three different teams in 2024, posting a 5.20 ERA and 66:25 K:BB across 64 innings between the Padres, Yankees and White Sox. The 29-year-old will give Atlanta some veteran relief depth.

The Phillies designated Cuas for assignment Monday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Joe Ross, who was signed Monday. Cuas was claimed off waivers in September but never made an appearance for the Phillies. He holds a career 4.37 ERA and 22 percent strikeout rate over parts of three big-league seasons.

Manaea agreed to a three-year, $75 million contract with the Mets on Monday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

After posting a 4.73 ERA and 1.27 WHIP over 67 appearances (38 starts) between the Padres and Giants during the 2022 and 2023 campaigns, Manaea bounced back during his first season with the Mets last year, generating a 3.47 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 184:63 K:BB while pitching a career-high 181.2 innings across 32 regular-season starts. He'll return to the Mets and be part of a pitching staff that has already added Frankie Montas and Clay Holmes during the offseason. Manaea will be a front-end starter for a team that reached the NLCS in 2024 and enters the 2025 season with lofty aspirations after signing Juan Soto to a record-breaking deal in early December.

The Phillies designated Gilbert for assignment Sunday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

The left-hander lost his place on the 40-man roster to make room for Jesus Luzardo (back), who was acquired via trade from the Marlins on Sunday. Gilbert allowed three earned runs over 8.1 major-league innings during 2024 and spent most of the campaign at the Triple-A level, where he had a 4.70 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 65:14 K:BB over 51.2 innings.