MLB Player News

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.

Rodney has not given up hope of pitching in the major leagues again, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Rodney will turn 47 in March and hasn't seen any action in the majors since 2019, so it would be the longest of long shots. The three-time All-Star has been pitching in the Mexican League and Dominican Winter League the last few years and says he wants to continue playing until he's 50.

Naile was transferred from the Cardinals to the KIA Tigers of the KBO on Friday.

Naile appeared out of the Cardinals bullpen sparingly across the last two seasons, throwing a combined 24.1 innings. He struggled to a 7.40 ERA and 1.89 WHIP in that span and will seek to reinvigorate his career overseas.

The Astros are making a big effort to sign Hader, Ken Rosenthal and Chandler Rome of The Athletic are reporting.

If the Astros were to sign Hader, it would create quite a ripple in the closer pool, as Hader is unlikely to share the save duties with Ryan Pressly. The Astros just got the news that Kendall Graveman is out for the season, so they need more premium depth in their bullpen.

Bowman signed a minor-league contract with the Twins on Thursday and received an invitation to major-league spring training, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

In 2023, Bowman returned to the majors for the first time since 2019, though he appeared in just three games for the Yankees and surrendered four earned runs in four innings. The 32-year-old reliever posted a 3.99 ERA and 1.39 WHIP in Triple-A and will now have an outside shot at making the Twins' Opening Day roster.

The Giants plan to use Hicks as a conventional starter this season, Danny Emerman of KNBR 680 San Francisco reports.

The goal is for the right-hander to be ready to throw five innings and/or 75 pitches at the start of the season. Hicks totaled just 66.2 frames between the regular and postseason in 2023 and his professional high is 105, which came back in 2017 when he was last used as a regular starter. Therefore, his workload will almost surely have to be managed at some point. The Giants could always reverse course and put Hicks in the bullpen if starting doesn't work out, but for now they're committed to him being a member of their rotation.

The Tigers claimed Sweet off waivers from the Giants on Thursday.

Sweet has done some bouncing around since last August, going from the Mariners to the Athletics to the Giants and now to the Tigers via waivers. The 27-year-old reliever held a 10.38 ERA in seven appearances during 2023 in his first taste of the majors, but he posted a 2.25 ERA and 57:11 K:BB over 44 frames in the minors last season. He'll look to fill a middle relief role in Detroit.

Gonsalves signed a minor-league contract with the Dodgers on Tuesday that includes an invitation to spring training, J.P. Hoornstra of DodgersNation.com reports.

Gonsalves spent the 2023 season spread across four minor-league levels in the Cubs organization, holding a 5.72 ERA over 22 appearances in his first year back from Tommy John surgery. While he had a 5.72 ERA with 22 walks in 28.1 innings, he also struck out an impressive 44. The left-hander last appeared in the majors in 2021.

Voth signed a one-year, $1.25 million contract with the Mariners on Wednesday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

The 31-year-old's contract includes a potential additional year of team control in 2025. Voth collected a 5.19 ERA and 34:15 K:BB over 34.2 innings in 2023 with the Orioles. He was used exclusively in relief last season during his time in the majors but has plenty of past starting experience and could operate in a swingman or long-relief role in Seattle.