MLB Player News

Honeywell signed a minor-league contract with the Pirates on Wednesday and received an invitation to major-league spring training, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

Honeywell logged a 4.82 ERA and 1.45 WHIP over 52.1 innings last season with the Padres and White Sox. He'll have an opportunity to make the Pirates' Opening Day bullpen in the spring, but Triple-A Indianapolis is Honeywell's likely destination.

The Brewers designated Andrews for assignment Wednesday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

The signing of Jakob Junis became official Wednesday, causing Andrews to lose his spot on the 40-man roster. Andrews struggled during his brief time in the majors, allowing 10 earned runs in just 3.1 innings across four appearances. He put together a 2.53 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in Triple-A, however, making it possible another team gives him a chance off the waiver wire.

The Phillies claimed Castillo off waivers from the Red Sox on Wednesday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

It's the third organization Castillo has been in since early January, as he previously had gone from the Royals to the Red Sox via waivers. He'll compete for a swingman role in Philadelphia but does have an option year remaining.

Ort was designated for assignment by the Marlins on Wednesday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

He's being swapped out in favor of another reliever, Declan Cronin, who was claimed off waivers. Ort himself was a waiver claim by the Marlins earlier this offseason and now could be on the move again.

The Marlins claimed Cronin off waivers from the Astros on Wednesday, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

It's the third organization Cronin has been in this offseason after he previously went from the White Sox to the Astros via waivers. The 26-year-old sinkerballer allowed 11 runs over 11 innings for Chicago in 2023 in his first go-round in the majors.

Bickford will make $900,000 in 2024 after winning his arbitration hearing against the Mets on Tuesday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Bickford walks away with an extra $85,000 compared to the Mets' offer and a $160,000 salary increase from last year. The 28-year-old righty logged a 4.95 ERA and 1.46 WHIP through 67.1 frames between the Dodgers and Mets in 2023, and he will likely be limited to low-leverage situations to begin the new season.

Adams (ankle) was designated for assignment by the Mets on Tuesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The 32-year-old signed a one-year contract with the Mets in November, but he was removed from the 40-man roster Tuesday to make room for the signing of Jake Diekman. Adams had a 5.71 ERA in 24 appearances for the Diamondbacks last season before he fractured his ankle in August.

Bellati was designated for assignment by the Phillies on Tuesday.

Bellati made 27 appearances for the Phillies last season and was unimpressive with a 5.11 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 25:12 K:BB over 24.2 innings. The right-hander has no remaining minor-league options, so Philadelphia opted to removed him from the 40-man roster to clear space for trade-acquisition Michael Rucker.

The Phillies acquired Rucker from the Cubs on Tuesday in exchange for cash considerations.

Rucker had been designated for assignment and has now landed in a new organization. The 29-year-old reliever has collected a 4.96 ERA and 120:50 K:BB over 123.1 innings out of the Cubs' bullpen covering the last three seasons. He'll compete for a middle-relief gig.

Small was traded from the Brewers to the Giants on Monday in exchange for cash considerations, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Small put up solid numbers at Triple-A Nashville in 2023, posting a 3.18 ERA and 1.25 WHIP with a 61:24 K:BB across 51 innings, but it didn't translate to the big leagues in what was a small sample size. The southpaw surrendered five runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out six across four frames. Small will compete for a low-leverage relief role during spring training.