MLB Player News

The Tigers claimed Ingram off waivers from the Angels on Monday.

Although he struggled during his brief time with the big club in 2023, Ingram collected a 2.95 ERA and 77:34 K:BB over 61 frames between Double-A Rocket City and Triple-A Salt Lake. He'll attempt to win one of the left-handed relief jobs in Detroit's bullpen.

The Dodgers acquired Gage and right-hander Christian Zazueta from the Yankees on Monday in exchange for left-hander Caleb Ferguson, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Though Ferguson is a more established left-handed reliever at the big-league level, he's bound for free agency in 2025 and has no minor-league options remaining, while Gage is a pre-arbitration pitcher who still has an option. Gage isn't expected to be a vital part of the Los Angeles bullpen in 2024, but he'll at least help restore some left-handed depth to the relief ranks while also offering more maneuverability between the majors and Triple-A Oklahoma City. Over his 16 career big-league appearances over the past two seasons between Toronto and Houston, the 30-year-old Gage owns a 1.83 ERA (3.74 SIERA) over 19.2 innings.

Brasier signed a two-year, $9 million contract with the Dodgers on Monday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

The deal could max out at $13 million if incentives are reached. Brasier was released by the Red Sox last May following a dreadful start but thrived after being picked up by the Dodgers off the scrap heap, posting a 0.70 ERA and 38:10 K:BB over his final 38.2 frames. The 36-year-old will attempt to pick up where he left off in 2024.

The Yankees acquired Ferguson from the Dodgers on Monday in exchange for left-hander Matt Gage and right-hander Christian Zazueta, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Ferguson becomes the second lefty reliever to make the move from Los Angeles to The Bronx this offseason, as the Yankees previously acquired Victor Gonzalez in December. The 27-year-old Ferguson will be due $2.4 million this season in his final year of arbitration and is coming off a solid 2023 campaign in which he compiled a 3.43 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 70:23 K:BB to go with seven wins, 17 holds and three saves across 68 appearances spanning 60.1 innings. He'll likely slot into a middle-relief or setup role with the Yankees in front of closer Clay Holmes.

Padres manager Mike Shildt mentioned Suarez and Yuki Matsui as possibilities but declined to name a closer when asked last week, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Shildt also brought up Wandy Peralta as a high-leverage option but, perhaps notably, did not bring up Woo-suk Go's name. The manager indicated that it's possible he could name a closer based on how things go in spring training but also hinted that it might be a committee based on the situation and who is available. While Suarez and Matsui appear to be the guys for fantasy managers to target if they're drafting early, it's a situation that lacks clarity at the moment.

Assad is likely competing with Hayden Wesneski, Drew Smyly and Jordan Wicks for the fifth spot in the Cubs' rotation to begin the season, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Kyle Hendricks, Justin Steele, Jameson Taillon and newcomer Shota Imanaga figure to be locked into rotation spots to begin the season, which leaves the No. 5 spot open. Assad made 10 starts and 32 total appearances for the Cubs last year, and the righty posted a strong 3.05 ERA and 1.23 WHIP across 109.1 innings. While fantasy managers would prefer that Assad is starting, he did give the Cubs a good multi-inning bullpen weapon in 2023, and they may decide to stick him back in that role in 2024 if it helps the club win games.

Wesneski is likely competing with Javier Assad, Drew Smyly and Jordan Wicks for the fifth spot in the Cubs' rotation to begin the season, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Kyle Hendricks, Justin Steele, Jameson Taillon and newcomer Shota Imanaga should all be locked into rotation spots, which leaves the No. 5 role up for grabs. Wesneski made 34 appearances for the Cubs last year, including 11 starts, and posted a 4.63 ERA and 1.28 WHIP across 89.1 innings. He doesn't profile as a particularly exciting fantasy option, though he would have more value if he's starting instead of serving as a long reliever.

Alzolay will likely begin the year as the Cubs' closer, though new addition Hector Neris gives manager Craig Counsell a possible alternative for the late innings, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Alzolay excelled as Chicago's closer last season, converting 22 of 25 save opportunities and posting a strong 2.67 ERA across 64 innings. However, Neris posted an even better 1.71 ERA over 68.1 innings for Houston in 2023, and he has 89 career saves in 10 MLB seasons. At the very least, the veteran should serve as a solid setup option, and he could emerge as a candidate for saves if Alzolay struggles.

Medina signed a minor-league contract with the Nationals on Friday.

Medina posted a 5.35 ERA over 19 appearances (two starts) in the majors from 2020-22 before spending last season pitching in Korea. The 27-year-old figures to report to Triple-A Rochester to begin 2024 where he'll provide either rotation or bullpen depth.

Cisnero signed a one-year, $1.75 million contract with the Angels on Saturday, Taylor Blake Ward of The Sporting Tribune reports.

Cisnero's ERA ballooned to 5.31 in 2023 with the Tigers, but he collected a 70:25 K:BB over 59.1 innings. The 34-year-old posted a 3.84 ERA with 229 strikeouts across 211 frames during his five seasons in Detroit and should slide into a setup role in Anaheim.