MLB Player News

The Yankees re-signed Hill to a one-year, $2.5 million contract Tuesday that includes a $3 million club option for 2026, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

The buyout on the option is $350,000, so Hill will be guaranteed at least $2.85 million. Hill was released by the White Sox last June after putting up a 5.87 ERA and 13:10 K:BB over 23 innings. However, he quickly latched on with the Yankees and posted a 2.05 ERA and 1.02 WHIP over his final 44 regular-season innings before allowing just one earned run over 10 playoff appearances. The southpaw reliever should get some high-leverage work for the Yankees.

The Angels signed Gonzalez to a minor-league contract Jan. 14.

Gonzalez posted a 3.86 ERA but an ugly 11:13 K:BB over 23.1 innings in 2024 with the Yankees. He will provide the Angels with some left-handed relief depth.

The Twins signed Coulombe to a one-year, $3 million contract Tuesday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Coulombe missed much of the 2024 campaign following surgery to remove bone chips from his pitching elbow, but he's been excellent over the last two seasons when healthy, collecting a 2.56 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 90:17 K:BB over 81 regular-season innings. He'll be the primary lefty setup man ahead of closer Jhoan Duran.

Morel is projected to begin the 2025 season as the Rays' starting left fielder, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Morel was dealt to the Rays in late July and subsequently started 31 games. Only 11 of those came in left field as compared to 20 at third base. However, with Junior Caminero all but certain to be a mainstay at the hot corner, Morel will be forced to a new defensive home. He could also face some pressure for playing time from Richie Palacios or even Eloy Jimenez if he cannot improve upon the .547 OPS that he posted across 190 plate appearances with the team in 2024.

Maeda may get another shot at a rotation spot this year, per Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic, though Detroit's addition of Jack Flaherty could push the former into the bullpen.

Maeda was brought over to Detroit before last season to start games, but he struggled mightily in his first year with the team, posting an ugly 6.09 ERA across 29 appearances (17 starts). The veteran righty did fare a bit better as a reliever, posting a 4.44 ERA out of the bullpen. Maeda stood to potentially get another chance at starting in 2025, though with Jack Flaherty joining the team Sunday, the rotation suddenly looks a bit more crowded. Flaherty, Tarik Skubal, Reese Olson and veteran newcomer Alex Cobb should all be locked into rotation spots. That leaves Maeda competing with Jackson Jobe and Casey Mize for the No. 5 starter spot with Keider Montero and Brant Hurter as longer-shot candidates. The one thing working in Maeda's favor is that he is owed $10 million this season and Detroit may look to give him one last shot as a starter.

Sweeney stands a good chance to make Detroit's Opening Day roster, though he faces plenty of competition for an everyday starting role, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

The Tigers added Gleyber Torres in the offseason, and he figures to slot in at second base. The signing added further depth to a team that already features a handful of versatile infield defenders, such as Zach McKinstry, who is out of minor-league options. Sweeney and McKinstry are each left-handed, and the fact Sweeney has minor-league options remaining could result in him opening the year at Triple-A. Veteran shortstop Javier Baez (hip) is questionable for Opening Day, and would likely start at shortstop against lefties when healthy, regardless of whether Sweeney is on the roster. Fantasy managers may need to show some patience with Sweeney, though he could see his role expand as the year progresses.

The Rays designated Eisert for assignment Monday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for the signing of Ha-Seong Kim (shoulder). Eisert was just acquired from the Blue Jays in late January for cash considerations but will now be exposed to waivers.

Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto said Monday that Santos has already reported to the team's spring training complex and has been throwing bullpen sessions, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Santos made only eight appearances for Seattle in 2024 due to multiple arm issues, but he finished the season healthy and will head into spring training without limitations. The 25-year-old can be a key member of the Mariners' bullpen if he can stay on the bump, but he's a major health risk.

Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto said Monday that Brash (elbow) should be ready for the start of spring training and a season debut in the third week of April is the best-case scenario for the reliever, Shannon Drayer of SeattleSports.com reports.

While everything with Brash's recovery from last May's internal brace procedure has come along swimmingly, Dipoto acknowledged the uncertainty with how the righty will respond to throwing in Cactus League games. Brash will begin the season on the injured list either way, but the hope is that the stint will be a short one. The 26-year-old boasts a career 31.9 percent strikeout rate and will be in line for high-leverage relief work once he's ready.

Taylor will not be ready for the start of spring training after suffering a right lat strain last week during his offseason throwing program, Shannon Drayer of SeattleSports.com reports.

Given the nature of the injury and how recent it was, it's possible Taylor's readiness for Opening Day is in question. However, more should be known about a potential timetable deeper into spring training. Taylor looked good in 21 appearances out of the Mariners' bullpen in 2024, posting a 3.72 ERA and 25:7 K:BB over 19.1 innings.