MLB Player News

Giles signed a minor-league contract with Atlanta on Friday that includes an invitation to spring training.

Giles held a showcase for teams last month and came out of it with a deal from Atlanta. The veteran reliever allowed 19 earned runs in 18 innings last season at Triple-A Oklahoma City and made just nine total appearances in the majors from 2020-22 due to injury. Still, the 33-year-old righty has 115 career saves and a 12.3 K/9 over 362 big-league relief appearances, and he carries little risk as a non-roster invitee.

Perez was outrighted to Triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday.

Perez has appeared in the majors in each of the last three seasons, though 2023 was his first with the Athletics. He posted a 5.94 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP across 16.2 innings with the team. Any other club can now claim Perez, and if he goes unclaimed, he should begin the season at Triple-A Las Vegas.

Middleton signed a one-year, $6 million contract with the Cardinals on Thursday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

The deal also includes a $5 million club option for 2025. Middleton was a quality middle reliever for the Yankees and White Sox last season, maintaining a 3.38 ERA and 1.24 WHIP across 50.2 innings -- his heaviest workload in the majors since 2017. He's unlikely to factor into the saves picture with his new club, but he should bolster the middle of the bullpen.

Small was designated for assignment by the Brewers on Thursday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Small was selected in the first round of the 2019 Draft and rose quickly through Milwaukee's minor-league system. However, he's made just four big-league appearances and shifted to a relief role in 2023. Due to his former prospect pedigree, Small could be claimed by a team on waivers.

Hall was traded from the Orioles to the Brewers along with Joey Ortiz and the 34th pick in the 2024 MLB Draft in exchange for Corbin Burnes on Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Hall was once viewed as a top prospect as a starting pitcher, though he's made only one start in 29 appearances in the majors. He was effective as a reliever in 2023, posting a 3.26 ERA and 1.19 WHIP across 19.1 innings for Baltimore after a disrupted offseason caused him to begin the year at less than full strength, though he also covered 49 frames in the minors. However, Hall should have a renewed chance to join a big-league rotation with Milwaukee, and he will likely compete for the role in spring training with the likes of Colin Rea and Joe Ross.

Rucker was designated for assignment by the Cubs on Thursday, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

The 29-year-old reliever loses his spot on the 40-man roster in favor Hector Neris, whose signing became official. Rucker has put up a 4.96 ERA and 120:50 K:BB covering 123.1 innings out of the Cubs' bullpen over the last three seasons.

Hughes signed a minor-league contract with the Diamondbacks on Thursday and received an invitation to major-league spring training.

Hughes holds a 3.91 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in the majors since debuting in 2022, but he surrendered 11 earned runs in just 13.2 innings last season before undergoing season-ending knee surgery in June. The 28-year-old southpaw will now get a chance to redeem himself in the spring, and he could become an important part of Arizona's bullpen if he returns to his 2022 form.

Gsellman signed a minor-league contract with the Nationals on Wednesday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Gsellman left affiliated ball in 2022 to pursue a career overseas in Japan, where he recorded a 4.32 ERA and 1.52 WHIP across 139.2 total innings. The 30-year-old righty will likely head to Triple-A Rochester and serve as organizational depth as he attempts to work his way back to the majors.

Cronin was designated for assignment by the Astros on Wednesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Cronin will lose his spot on the 40-man roster in favor of Trey Cabbage, who was acquired via trade. The 26-year-old was a waiver claim from the White Sox earlier this month and he'll now go through the waiver process again.

Weiss was designated for assignment by the Red Sox on Wednesday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

He's clearing out to make room on the 40-man roster for waiver claim Romy Gonzalez. Weiss, 31, holds a 4.61 ERA and 33:15 K:BB over 27.1 frames during his parts of three seasons in the majors.