MLB Player News

Poteet signed a one-year, $750,000 contract with the Yankees on Thursday, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Poteet had Tommy John surgery in August of 2022, making it back last year for one late-season appearance with Triple-A Omaha in the Royals organization. The 29-year-old holds a career 4.45 ERA and 53:27 K:BB across 58.2 frames at the major-league level. Poteet has options remaining and seems likely to begin the 2024 season at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Bruihl signed a minor-league contract with the Reds on Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training.

Bruihl held a 5.46 ERA over 27 relief appearances between the Dodgers and Rockies in 2023 and has posted a 4.22 ERA and 46:24 K:BB across 70.1 frames over parts of three major-league seasons. The 26-year-old lefty will try to win a bullpen job with Cincinnati but is likely to begin 2024 at Triple-A Louisville.

Llovera was designated for assignment by the Red Sox on Wednesday.

A 40-man roster move was needed in order to add Lucas Giolito, and Llovera is the casualty. Llovera, 27, collected a 5.46 ERA over 25 appearances with the Red Sox in 2023 and holds a career 5.80 mark across 54 outings at the major-league level spanning parts of four seasons.

The Brewers acquired Hudson from the Dodgers on Wednesday in exchange for Justin Chambers and a player to be named later or cash considerations, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Hudson had been designated for assignment a week ago and is now headed to the National League Central. The big left-hander struggled in a cup of coffee with Los Angeles in 2023 but held a 2.43 ERA and 86:26 K:BB across 55.2 relief innings at Triple-A Oklahoma City.

The Red Sox claimed Castillo off waivers from the Royals on Tuesday.

Castillo has collected a career 5.43 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 47:24 K:BB in 59.2 innings over parts of two seasons in the majors, making six starts and 15 relief appearances over that span. It's not clear which role the Red Sox have planned for him. The 24-year-old does have an option year remaining, so Boston could stash him at Triple-A Worcester if Castillo doesn't earn an Opening Day roster spot.

Suarez is the Padres' projected closer even after the team's addition of Yuki Matsui, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

Matsui was recently inked to a five-year, $28 million contract and is expected to handle high-leverage innings, but Lin still views Suarez as the club's likely closer. Suarez -- who signed a five-year, $46 million deal last offseason to remain with the Padres -- was limited to just 26 appearances in 2023 while battling elbow issues, posting a 4.23 ERA and 24:10 K:BB across 27.2 innings. The 32-year-old ended the season healthy, though, and his 97.7 mph average four-seamer velocity was right in line with what he showed during his stellar 2022 campaign. Whether new manager Mike Shildt plans to name a closer isn't clear, but it would appear Suarez could have the early leg up.

Montas signed a one-year, $16 million contract with the Reds on Saturday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Montas missed nearly all of last season after undergoing arthroscopic surgery in February, but he was able to make it back in time for one appearance at the end of the year. The 30-year-old righty will provide depth to a Reds rotation that ranked near the bottom of the majors in 2023, but it remains to be seen how effective Montas will be post-surgery. Montas posted a 4.05 ERA and 1.25 WHIP through 144.1 innings in 2022.

The White Sox designated Cronin for assignment Thursday.

Cronin will lose his spot on Chicago's 40-man roster in order to make room for Tim Hill, who signed with the White Sox on Thursday. Despite logging a respectable 3.83 ERA through 51.2 frames with Triple-A Charlotte in 2023, Cronin struggled to find his footing in the big leagues, surrendering 11 runs in 11 innings over nine appearances.

Hill signed a one-year, $1.8 million contract with the White Sox on Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Hill was non-tendered by the Padres last month after posting a 5.48 ERA and 26:14 K:BB over 44.1 innings in 2023. The left-hander's bat-missing ability has completely evaporated over the last two seasons with just a 12.7 percent strikeout rate, but he remains elite in inducing grounders, having produced them at a 61.2 percent clip last season. The White Sox will be hoping Hill can rebound in the first half of 2024 so that they can flip him to a contender at the trade deadline.

Farmer signed a one-year, $2.25 million contract with the Reds on Thursday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Farmer has provided the Reds with some solid middle relief work over the past two seasons, posting a 4.06 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 124:54 K:BB over 122 innings, collecting five saves along the way. Slated to turn 33 in February, Farmer will be counted on as a bridge to closer Alexis Diaz again in 2024.