MLB Player News

Cruz signed a minor-league contract with the Giants on Nov. 20.

The Giants non-tendered Cruz on Nov. 17 but will give him another chance to work his way through their farm system. The 23-year-old right-hander pitched to a 4.47 ERA and 67:38 K:BB over 44.1 innings of relief between High-A Eugene and Double-A Richmond in 2023.

Szapucki (shoulder) signed a minor-league contract with the Giants on Nov. 18.

Szapucki was non-tendered by San Francisco on Nov. 17 before being brought back into the fold one day later. The 27-year-old left-hander hasn't pitched at any level since 2022 because of a shoulder injury that ultimately required thoracic outlet surgery this past May. It's hard to say what his health status will be at the beginning of the 2024 campaign.

Adams (ankle) signed a one-year contract with the Mets on Thursday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Adams, 32, held a 5.71 ERA through 24 relief appearances this past year with the Diamondbacks before fracturing his right ankle in early August. He was then outrighted off Arizona's 40-man roster at the end of the season but has now found a new home in New York on what's being called a "major-league, non-guaranteed split contract," per Will Sammon of The Athletic. Nasty at times but often overly wild, Adams owns a career 4.17 ERA and 170:75 K:BB in 114.1 total big-league innings.

The White Sox outrighted Padilla to Triple-A Charlotte on Thursday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Padilla allowed three earned runs over just 4.2 major-league innings in 2023 and also struggled to a 5.52 ERA across 44 relief appearances at the Triple-A level. The 26-year-old right-hander is no longer part of the 40-man roster in Chicago.

Hatch is expected to sign a contract with the Nippon-Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan, Yakyu Cosmopolitan reports.

Hatch had been on the Pirates' 40-man roster but evidently was allowed to pursue an opportunity overseas. The 29-year-old right-hander holds a career 4.96 ERA and 61:33 K:BB over 69 innings at the major-league level covering parts of four seasons.

Martinez agreed to a two-year, $26 million contract with the Reds on Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Martinez opted out of the final two years of his contract with the Padres in early November and will head to Cincinnati on a deal that includes an increased salary and an opt-out after the 2024 campaign. The right-hander was reliable in San Diego over the past two seasons, posting a 3.45 ERA and 1.27 WHIP in 216.2 innings over 110 appearances (19 starts). Although he converted just nine of his 16 save chances, he picked up 23 holds, including a career-high 15 last year. The Reds already have one of the top closers in baseball in Alexis Diaz, and they signed Emilio Pagan to a one-year, $8 million contract Wednesday. Pagan should be available as a setup man, and Cincinnati has been rumored to be in the market to acquire several other pitchers during the offseason. However, Martinez could also see some setup duties ahead of Diaz and will also be available to serve as a starter or long reliever when needed.

Murfee (elbow) signed a one-year, non-guaranteed split contract with Atlanta on Wednesday.

After being claimed off waivers by Atlanta on Nov. 14 and non-tendered by the team three days later, Murfee will officially remain with Atlanta for the 2024 campaign. Murfee holds a 2.70 ERA and 0.97 WHIP in his career across 83.1 big-league innings, though a surgery in June to repair a torn UCL puts him at risk of missing the vast majority of the season.

Barria signed a minor-league contract with the Guardians on Wednesday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Barria rejected an outright assignment from the Angels and became a free agent earlier in the offseason, and he'll now attempt to carve out a role for himself with the Guardians. The 27-year-old righty posted a 5.68 ERA and 1.47 WHIP last year -- a sharp decline from his 2.61 ERA and 1.03 WHIP in 2022. Barria's deal includes an invitation to major-league spring training, and a good spring could be enough for him to earn a spot in Cleveland's Opening Day bullpen.

The Reds signed Pagan to a one-year, $8 million contract with an $8 million player option for 2025 on Wednesday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Pagan held a 2.99 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 65:21 K:BB over 69.1 innings for the Twins in 2023, which was good enough to nab a multi-year pact on the open market. The 32-year-old was able to keep the home run ball in check in 2023, but it's been a major issue for him in the past. Given his new home park, that could be a problem. Pagan would appear in line for setup duties ahead of closer Alexis Diaz.

The Marlins claimed Jensen off waivers from the Mariners on Monday.

Jensen had been designated for assignment by Seattle last week and has now found a new home. The 25-year-old right-hander held a 5.32 ERA and 78:54 K:BB over 64.1 innings between the Double- and Triple-A levels in 2023. He was deployed primarily as a reliever last season, but it's not whether the Marlins intend to continue using him out of the bullpen.