MLB Player News

The Dodgers designated Hudson for assignment Wednesday, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Timesreports.

Hudson made six big-league appearances last season and surrendered seven earned runs with a 7:4 K:BB across 8.2 innings. The left-hander pitched much better at Triple-A Oklahoma City with a 2.43 ERA in 46 outings, and he's likely to begin 2024 with the affiliate, assuming he passes through waivers unclaimed.

Kennedy signed a minor-league contract with the Reds on Dec. 20.

Kennedy posted a 6.50 ERA in five appearances (two starts) for the Reds and a 4.81 ERA in 17 appearances (16 starts) with Triple-A Louisville in 2023. He's likely headed back to Louisville to start 2024.

Staumont (shoulder) signed a one-year contract with the Twins on Wednesday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Hayes says the deal is worth a little less than $1 million and notes that Staumont will have a year of arbitration eligibility in 2025, as well. Staumont was non-tendered by the Royals last month after undergoing thoracic outlet syndrome surgery in July. The 30-year-old has posted a 6.09 ERA over 63 appearances since the start of the 2022 season, but from 2019-21 he held a 2.93 ERA and 124:53 K:BB over 110.2 innings. The track record of pitchers coming back from TOS surgery is checkered, at best, but on a one-year pact the Twins felt Staumont was worth a roll of the dice.

The Mets signed Smith to a minor-league contract Sunday with an invitation to major-league spring training, the Associated Press reports.

The 28-year-old right-hander elected to become a free agent last month after being outrighted off the 40-man roster in Oakland. Smith has allowed 25 earned runs in 31.2 career major-league innings and also struggled to a 7.53 ERA across 35 appearances last season with the Triple-A affiliate of the Athletics.

The Yankees acquired Morris from the Guardians on Tuesday in exchange for Estevan Florial.

Morris surrendered six earned runs over just eight major-league innings last season, but he posted a 2.28 ERA with 23 strikeouts over 23.2 innings for Cleveland in 2022. The 27-year-old right-hander has some past experience as a starter but will presumably compete for a spot in the Yankees' Opening Day bullpen at spring training.

Castillo signed a minor-league contract with the Rangers on Dec. 18.

Castillo had a rough 2023 campaign, collecting a 6.23 ERA in eight appearances for the Mariners and a 5.13 ERA and 50:35 K:BB across 47.1 frames at Triple-A Tacoma. Both his velocity and control have trended in the wrong direction in recent seasons. Still, Castillo will turn just 30 next month, and a pitcher with his track record seems worthy of a roll of the dice on a minor-league deal.

Alexy signed a minor-league contract with the Twins on Dec. 19.

Alexy began the 2023 season at Triple-A Charlotte in the White Sox organization but was released after collecting a 12.00 ERA and ugly 21:41 K:BB over 21 innings. He then resurfaced in independent ball with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs but wasn't much better for them, posting an 11.81 ERA and 8:11 K:BB across 5.1 frames. Alexy is still just 25 and was once considered a decent prospect, so the Twins figured he was worth a shot in hopes that he'll solve his control problems.

Jurado has re-signed with the Kiwoom Heroes of the Korea Baseball Organization, Jee-ho Yoo of the Yonhap News Agency reports.

It seems likely that Jurado drew some interest from major-league clubs after he posted a 2.65 ERA and 147:41 over 183.2 innings for the Heroes in 2023. However, Kiwoom gave him $1.2 million guaranteed to stick around, a salary he surely wasn't getting in the states. The 27-year-old last pitched in the big leagues in 2020.

Jackson was released by the Pirates on Friday.

Jackson passed through waivers unclaimed after being designated for assignment by the Pirates on Thursday and will now head into free agency. The 27-year-old right-hander holds a career 4.25 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 76:32 K:BB in 82.2 major-league innings.

The Padres claimed Patino off waivers from the White Sox on Friday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

It's a return to his original organization for Patino, who was traded from the Padres to the Rays prior to the 2021 season in the Blake Snell deal. Patino has managed just a 5.02 ERA and 124:70 K:BB in 136.1 major-league innings, but he's still only 24 and San Diego probably could use the pitching depth.