MLB Player News

Almonte (shoulder) elected free agency Monday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Almonte had right shoulder surgery in July and is expected to be sidelined until around midseason of next year. He will do his rehabbing in another organization after declining an outright assignment from the Cubs.

The Cubs designated Herget for assignment Monday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Rob Zastryzny, who was claimed off waivers. Herget himself was a waiver claim of the Cubs but never made an appearance for them.

The Cubs claimed Zastryzny (elbow) off waivers from the Brewers on Monday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

It's a return to his original organization for Zastryzny, who was drafted by the Cubs and spent his first three major-league seasons in Chicago. The lefty reliever ended the season on the injured list with elbow tendinitis but looks to be healthy headed into the offseason.

The Phillies claimed McMillon (elbow) off waivers from the Marlins on Monday.

McMillon ended the 2024 season on the injured list with an elbow injury, but the Phillies are evidently comfortable with his health situation. The right-handed reliever holds a 1.69 ERA and 21:5 K:BB over 16 innings during parts of two seasons at the major-league level.

The Rangers declined Chafin's 2025 team option Monday.

Chafin signed a one-year deal with the Tigers in December of 2023, but he was dealt to the Rangers in late July. Across 62 regular-season outings with both organizations, Chafin posted a 3.51 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 70:31 K:BB across 56.1 innings. The 34-year-old southpaw should get plenty of interest on the open market from teams looking to add some veteran, left-handed pitching to its bullpen.

The Pirates outrighted Mattson to Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Mattson is no longer on the 40-man roster but will stick around in the organization. He allowed three runs over 5.1 relief innings for the Pirates this season.

The Pirates outrighted Jefferies to Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Jefferies has been outrighted previously, so he could elect free agency if he wants. The right-hander ended the season on the 60-day injured list with an elbow injury, but he had been making rehab starts so he should be healthy heading into the offseason.

The Pirates outrighted Heller (shoulder) to Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Heller ended the season on the 60-day injured list with a shoulder issue. He's off the 60-day IL but will not return to the 40-man roster. It's not clear how healthy his shoulder is now.

The Astros outrighted Ortega (elbow) on Monday and he elected free agency, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Ortega signed a one-year contract with Houston in March, but he never pitched a single inning during the 2024 regular season. He underwent surgery in March to remove loose bodies in his right elbow, and he had a follow-up procedure in late June to remove a bone spur from the same elbow. If Ortega does catch on with another team, it's unclear whether he'll be available to pitch for the start of spring training.

The Phillies outrighted Tarnok to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Monday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Tarnok has been removed from the 40-man roster but will stick around in the organization for now. The righty was a waiver claim of the Phillies back in July.