MLB Player News

Falter and the Pirates avoided arbitration by agreeing Thursday to a one-year, $2.22 million contract, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Falter was arbitration-eligible for the first time, coming off a 2024 campaign in which he covered a career-high 142.1 innings over 28 starts for the Pirates. The southpaw was decent enough as a back-end rotation arm with a 4.43 ERA and 1.29 WHIP, but a career-worst 16.5 percent strikeout rate doesn't inspire much confidence in his ability to take any sort of major step forward. Even though he should be in good shape to retain a rotation spot heading into 2025, Falter's fantasy utility will likely be limited to deeper mixed leagues or NL-only leagues.

Garrett will miss the 2025 season after undergoing UCL revision surgery with an internal brace in December, Craig Mish of the Miami Herald reports.

Garrett made just seven starts for the Marlins during the 2024 season due to forearm and elbow problems and his UCL finally gave out. The left-hander had Tommy John surgery previously, so while the December operation was less invasive, it will still be a very lengthy rehab. If all goes well, it's possible Garrett is ready for the start of the 2026 season.

The Nationals designated Adon (biceps) for assignment Wednesday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Amed Rosario. Adon holds a career 6.66 ERA over 35 appearances (26 starts) at the major-league level. He ended the 2024 season on the injured list with a biceps strain and it's unclear what his current health situation is.

Verlander signed a one-year, $15 million contract with the Giants on Tuesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Verlander battled shoulder and neck injuries in 2024, the latter of which he's hinted at returning too soon from and could have played a factor in him finishing the year with a 5.48 ERA and 1.38 WHIP over 90.1 innings -- easily the worst line of his illustrious career. Set to turn 42 in February, he's unlikely to approach numbers similar to his 2022 AL Cy Young campaign, though a full offseason of recovery could enable the veteran righty to return to form as a quality starter in 2025.

Woodruff (shoulder) said Monday he's in a "really, really good spot" but is not sure he'll be ready for Opening Day, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Recovering from October 2023 surgery to repair the anterior capsule in his right shoulder, Woodruff began throwing off a mound in August and had been slated to face hitters in late September, but he wasn't physically ready so the pace of his rehab was slowed. However, the righty appears to have made significant progress since then and is throwing bullpen sessions twice per week. The next steps are for Woodruff to throw simulated innings and then face hitters. Next week, he will travel to the Brewers' pitching lab in Phoenix to get a status report on his stuff. While Woodruff is preparing to be ready by Opening Day, he's not able to say whether he'll reach that goal since he has many things to still check off his rehab to-do list. A clearer picture on the righty's timetable should be available during spring training.

Contreras was designated for assignment by the Reds on Monday, independent journalist Charlie Goldsmith reports.

This move will open up a spot on the 40-man roster for Gavin Lux, who was acquired from the Dodgers earlier in the day. Contreras was claimed by Cincinnati a few weeks ago and would be a candidate to begin the year at Triple-A Louisville if he goes unclaimed.

Weathers has lost 20 pounds this offseason, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Weathers has a high insulin resistance but has been able to drop weight over the winter while following a Keto diet. The left-hander missed three months during the 2024 season due to a left index finger strain, but he pitched well when on the mound in collecting a 3.63 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 80:24 K:BB over 86.2 frames. Weathers ended the season healthy and will have some deep-league fantasy appeal in 2025, although wins could be difficult to come by on the Marlins.

Jay was designated for assignment by the Brewers on Thursday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

The Brewers acquired Grant Anderson from the Rangers, and Jay was DFA'd to clear a place on the 40-man roster. Jay made his big-league debut in 2024 but threw only 7.2 innings at the level.

Luzardo told reporters Monday that he's "100 percent" recovered from the lumbar stress reaction that cost him the final three-plus months of the season, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

The left-hander said he's "felt 100 percent the whole offseason" and is going through his normal throwing program. Acquired by the Phillies from the Marlins via trade in December, Luzardo posted a 5.00 ERA while being limited to just 12 starts in 2024 due to a flexor strain and back problem, but the 27-year-old is confident he can bounce back with his new team now that he's healthy. Luzardo held a 3.48 ERA and 28.7 percent strikeout rate from 2022 to 2023.

The Nationals have agreed to terms with Williams on a two-year, $14 million contract, Stephen J. Nesbitt of The Athletic reports.

Williams was limited to just 13 starts in 2024 due to a right flexor strain, but he finished the season healthy and collected a 2.03 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 59:18 K:BB over 66.2 innings. The veteran right-hander will turn 33 in April and has an uneven track record, but the Nationals are betting on what Williams did in 2024 to be at least somewhat repeatable.