MLB Player News

Warren (elbow) agreed to a one-year contract with the Giants on Wednesday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Warren was designated for assignment and subsequently released by the Angels last week, but it didn't take long for him to latch on with a new team. The right-hander missed most of last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in May, so he's likely to also be sidelined for the first half of 2024.

The Nationals announced Wednesday that Thompson is dealing with an elbow injury and will be shut down from throwing for at least the next two weeks, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

The right-hander apparently suffered the injury over the winter, and his availability for Opening Day is now in question. Thompson made a career-high 51 appearances for the Nationals last season but struggled to a 5.50 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 44:22 K:BB over 54 innings, so he's hardly guaranteed to make the roster even if fully healthy.

Naughton (elbow) is behind schedule this spring as he completes his rehab from left flexor tendon surgery, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

The southpaw had the operation last June. Naughton was removed from the Cardinals' 40-man roster over the offseason but is in camp as a non-roster invitee. He'll likely begin the season at Triple-A Memphis but could eventually be a factor as a lefty option out of the St. Louis bullpen.

Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak saied Wednesday that Middleton isn't in Cardinals camp due to a stomach bug, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

The illness looks to be a minor setback for Middleton, who should be able to get back up to speed quickly. The reliever inked a one-year contract with St. Louis earlier this month and is slated to handle middle-relief work.

Fleming signed a one-year, split contract with the Pirates on Wednesday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

The 27-year-old will earn $850,000 if he's in the majors. Murray writes that the Pirates plan to use Fleming as a long reliever who could occasionally make a spot start. The left-hander holds a career 4.88 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 144:69 K:BB across 223.1 major-league innings covering parts of four seasons.

Patino isn't yet at Padres camp due to an issue with his visa, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Patino rejoined the Padres off waivers in December after spending the past three campaigns in the American League. It's not clear what his role with San Diego will be this season, though his experience as both a starter and middle reliever could be useful for what currently projects to be a thin rotation. The visa issue isn't likely to impact Patino's readiness for the start of the regular season.

Peralta is not currently in Padres camp due to an issue with his visa, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Peralta signed a four-year deal with San Diego on Jan. 31, and he's expected to be a key high-leverage reliever for the club this season. Though the native of the Dominican Republic hasn't yet been able to join his teammates in camp, the issue isn't likely to impact his readiness for the start of the regular season.

Chirinos signed a minor-league contract with the Marlins on Tuesday, which includes an invitation to spring training, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Chirinos was effective across 25 starts combined between the 2018 and 2019 seasons with the Rays, but a combination of struggles on the field and a serious elbow injury have derailed his opportunity in the majors since then. The Marlins have a deep rotation so Chirinos isn't likely to find immediate opportunity, though he could be a leading candidate for spot starts when injuries occur if he can stick in the organization.

Bellati cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday.

The right-hander was designated for assignment by Philadelphia last week but will remain in the organization after he passed through waivers unclaimed. Bellati will still join the Phillies for big-league camp after he posted a 5.11 ERA over 24.2 innings last year.

Ort was claimed off waivers by the Phillies on Tuesday.

The 32-year-old was designated for assignment by the Marlins last week and will now join his fourth team of the offseason. Ort made 21 appearances for the Red Sox last season and had a 6.26 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 24:9 K:BB across 23 innings.