MLB Player News

Perez signed a one-year contract with the Orioles on Monday to avoid arbitration.

The deal also contains a club option for 2025. The financial particulars aren't clear, but Perez had been seeking $1.4 million for 2024, with the team offering $1.1 million. Perez has collected a 2.43 ERA and 99:48 K:BB over 111 innings in his two seasons in Baltimore.

McHugh announced his retirement from professional baseball Monday.

McHugh, 36, made the announcement on his Instagram account. The right-hander pitched for parts of 11 seasons in the big leagues, finishing with a career 3.72 ERA and 1.23 WHIP with a 967:280 K:BB over 992.2 innings. McHugh finished fourth in the American League Rookie of the Year voting in 2014 and eighth in the AL Cy Young voting in 2015.

Criswell will enter spring training prepared to be a starting pitcher, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

All 10 of Criswell's appearances in the majors in 2023 came in relief, but they were mostly of the bulk relief variety, as he went no less than two innings and as many as 4.2 frames across those 10 outings. The 27-year-old made 17 starts (and six relief appearances) last year at Triple-A Durham. Winning a rotation spot with the Red Sox is unlikely, but Criswell does have an option remaining, so he could open the 2024 campaign in Triple-A Worcester's rotation. Long relief with the big club is also a possibility.

Junk is looking to sign a contract with a Nippon Professional Baseball team in Japan, Yakyu Cosmopolitan reports.

Junk's agent listed the SoftBank Hawks among the clubs he's negotiating with on his client's behalf. The 28-year-old Junk is currently on the Brewers' 40-man roster, but it appears he's destined to head overseas prior to spring training.

Pressly is expected to serve in a setup role for the Astros following the signing of Josh Hader, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Manager Joe Espada declined to name a closer when asked Saturday at the team's FanFest event. However, Rome writes of Espada that he "sounded like a manager who will eventually name a standalone closer," and that's fully expected to be Hader. The team spoke to Pressly before agreeing to terms with Hader and Pressly is "all in" on the move, per Espada. Pressly should still be rosterable in deep leagues even in a setup role, but clearly his fantasy stock is way down following the Hader move.

Giles will throw a bullpen session Friday for interested teams, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Giles held a similar showcase last season and ended up securing a minor-league deal with the Dodgers shortly afterward. His performance at Triple-A Oklahoma City was rather uninspiring -- he surrendered 19 earned runs in 18 innings -- but perhaps the 33-year-old righty will show enough promise Friday for another club to take a flier on him.

Brebbia signed a one-year, $5.5 million contract with the White Sox on Saturday, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

Brebbia posted a 3.83 ERA and 1.31 WHIP across 124.2 frames during his time with the Giants, though he struggled in 2023 after returning from a lat injury, surrendering seven earned runs in 9.2 innings. The 33-year-old has worked as a middle reliever, opener and setup man throughout his career, and the White Sox's lack of bullpen depth also opens the possibility for save opportunities.

Kuhnel elected free agency Jan. 13.

Kuhnel was designated for assignment in early January and was outrighted to Triple-A Sugar Land shortly after. He'll now hit free agency seeking a new opportunity after posting a 5.54 ERA and 1.62 WHIP across 13 innings split between the Reds and Astros in 2023.

Stephenson agreed to a three-year, $33 million contract with the Angels on Friday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

With Josh Hader landing in Houston, Stephenson was one the better relievers left on the market. He had a breakout 2023 campaign, during which he maintained a 3.10 ERA and 0.88 WHIP to go along with a 77:16 K:BB across 52.1 innings while pitching primarily with the Rays. Stephenson also proved capable of working in a high-leverage role by racking up 15 holds, and he should be in contention for saves alongside Carlos Estevez with his new club.

Hader signed a five-year, $95 million contract with the Astros on Friday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Coming off a phenomenal season in which Hader logged a 1.28 ERA and 1.10 WHIP through 56.1 innings while racking up 33 saves, the 29-year-old southpaw will join the Astros on the most lucrative deal for a reliever in MLB history, based on present-day value. This will be Hader's second stint with the Astros organization -- he spent roughly two years in Houston's farm system before being traded to the Brewers in 2015. He will almost certainly take over as the Astros' primary closer, moving Ryan Pressly into a setup role.