MLB Player News

Snider was designated for assignment by the Royals on Monday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

The move was made in order to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for free-agent signee Will Smith. Snider, 28, holds a 5.93 ERA and ugly 33:28 K:BB over 54.2 innings for Kansas City across the last two seasons. He seems likely to clear waivers.

Ryan agreed Monday with the Pirates on a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to major-league spring training, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

The 28-year-old reached the big leagues for the first time with Seattle in 2023, making just one relief appearance in August before he was cast off the 40-man roster following the season. Over a larger sample of 55 innings at Triple-A Tacoma last season, Ryan held his own in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, compiling a 3.76 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 56:22 K:BB. The right-hander will get a chance to compete for a spot in the Pirates' Opening Day bullpen but will likely be tasked with a lower-leverage role if he manages to secure a roster berth.

The Yankees acquired Gonzalez and Jorbit Vivas from the Dodgers on Monday in exchange for Trey Sweeney, Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com reports.

The Dodgers needed to clear a couple spots on their 40-man roster for the additions of Shohei Ohtani and Joe Kelly. Gonzalez, 28, didn't pitch in the big leagues at all in 2022 due to elbow issues and went back-and-forth between the majors and minors in 2023, collecting a 4.01 ERA and 30:10 K:BB over 33.2 frames with the big club. He's held left-handed batters to a .209/.282/.282 batting line in his career and will give the Yankees another lefty relief option.

Uceta signed a minor-league deal with the Rays on Sunday, freelance reporter Francys Romero reports.

The 25-year-old righty has been operating almost exclusively as a reliever since the pandemic, most recently seeing time at Triple-A for the Cubs and Mets this past season while also making a three-inning relief appearance in the majors for the Mets. He has a career 5.80 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and a 41:21 K:BB in 40.1 big-league innings.

Smith agreed to a one-year, $5 million contract with the Royals on Sunday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

The veteran left-hander made his MLB debut with the Royals back in 2012 and will make a return to the organization more than a decade later. Smith recorded 22 saves with the Rangers last season but struggled down the stretch and fell out of the closer role ahead of the playoffs. He finished the year with a 4.40 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 55:17 K:BB across 57.1 innings, and he could be in the mix for saves with Kansas City in 2024.

Chafin agreed to a one-year, $4.25 million contract with the Tigers on Sunday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Pressreports.

The deal includes a $6.5 million club option for 2025 with a $500,000 buyout. Chafin split last season between the Diamondbacks and Brewers, and he posted an underwhelming 4.73 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 63:28 K:BB across 51.1 innings. Milwaukee then declined his $7.25 million club option for 2024. The veteran lefty delivered a 2.83 ERA in 64 outings for Detroit in 2022, and the organization is likely hoping he'll rediscover that form.

Hearn signed with the NPB's Hiroshima Carp on Saturday.

Hearn logged a hefty 11.40 ERA and 2.07 WHIP across 15 innings between Atlanta, Kansas City and Texas last season. His numbers improved to a 3.33 ERA and 1.56 WHIP in Triple-A, but he'll opt to play in Japan rather than wait for a minor-league offer from an MLB team.

Crismatt signed a minor-league contract Friday with the Dodgers, Michael Mayer of MetsmerizedOnline.com reports.

Crismatt was lit up for 13 runs -- 12 earned -- over 13 major-league innings with the Padres and Diamondbacks in 2023, but he held a solid 3.38 ERA and 144:47 K:BB in 157 big-league frames between 2020-22. Maybe the 28-year-old can get himself righted in the Dodgers' vaunted pitching system.

The Red Sox traded Robertson and Victor Santos (undisclosed) to the Cardinals on Friday in exchange for Tyler O'Neill (foot), Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Robertson had a tough time finding his footing in 2023, posting a 6.04 ERA and 1.75 WHIP across 22.1 innings between the Dodgers and Red Sox. St. Louis' relatively weak bullpen gives Robertson a better chance at sticking around in the majors to begin next season, but he likely won't be relied upon in many high-leverage situations.

Hanifee signed a minor-league contract with the Tigers on Friday and received an invitation to major-league spring training, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

The Tigers non-tendered Hanifee earlier in the offseason, but the team will keep him around on a minor-league pact. Hanifee gave up three runs across five innings in three appearances with the Tigers last season, and he logged a 4.38 ERA through 90.1 frames at Triple-A Toledo.