MLB Player News

The Mets signed Stanek to a one-year, $4.5 million contract Wednesday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

He can earn an additional $500,000 in incentives. Stanek was acquired by the Mets at the 2024 trade deadline, and between the regular season and postseason, he turned in a 5.18 ERA and 31:11 K:BB over 24.1 innings for New York. The right-handed reliever will help set up ahead of closer Edwin Diaz in 2025.

The Reds signed Miley (elbow) to a minor-league contract Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

He'll earn a prorated $2.5 million if in the majors, and he has a June 1 opt-out, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today. Miley underwent a hybrid UCL repair on his left elbow last May but is hoping to be ready to contribute at the major-league level by late April or early May of this season. The 38-year-old posted a 3.14 ERA and 1.14 WHIP over 120.1 innings with the Brewers in 2023, although that came with just 79 strikeouts. The Reds don't currently appear to have room for Miley in their rotation, but that could change by the time he's ready to pitch.

The Pirates designated Alvarado for assignment Wednesday.

The move creates a spot on the 40-man roster for Adam Frazier, whose signing was officially announced. Alvarado has yet to appear in a big-league game but was given a major-league contract by the Pirates earlier this offseason. If he clears waivers, he'll be in camp as a non-roster invitee.

Diaz signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Padres on Tuesday, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.

Diaz joined the Padres on a minor-league deal in late August after being released by the Rockies. After being promoted, the former All-Star appeared in 24 games for San Diego, but he recorded just four hits across 21 at-bats. He became the team's number two catcher behind Kyle Higashioka following Luis Campusano's demotion to Triple-A El Paso in September. Diaz would remain the backup catcher for the postseason roster. With Higashioka now on the Rangers, Diaz has a shot to be in the Opening Day lineup for the Padres. His new contract includes a mutual option for 2026 and is pending a physical.

The Cubs designated Vazquez for assignment Tuesday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

The Cubs had to clear a space on their 40-man roster after signing Jon Berti to a one-year deal. Vazquez has generated a .745 OPS across 168 games at the Triple-A level, but he managed just one hit across 14 plate appearances with the big club in 2024 during what was his first taste of major-league action.

The Marlins designated Pereda for assignment Tuesday, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.

The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for waiver claim Connor Gillispie. Pereda, 28, made his major-league debut in 2024, posting a .481 OPS over 20 contests. The catcher could clear waivers and remain in the organization.

The Marlins claimed Gillispie off waivers from Atlanta on Tuesday, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.

Gillispie allowed two runs with an 8:5 K:BB over eight innings covering three appearances with the Guardians in 2024 in his first major-league stint. The 27-year-old split his time between the rotation and bullpen last year at Triple-A Columbus, and it's not clear what role the Marlins have planned for him.

Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said Tuesday on the Baseball Isn't Boring Podcast that Kopech (forearm) is going through his normal offseason throwing program and "feeling pretty good."

Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported earlier this month that Kopech could miss the first month of the season due to right forearm inflammation that he pitched through during the postseason. However, Gomes indicated that the reliever is in the same boat as the team's other pitchers in that he'll be monitored this spring; however, at this juncture, a late start to the season is not anticipated. Assuming he's healthy, Kopech will be used in high-leverage situations by the Dodgers.

The Reds signed Hays to a one-year, $5 million contract Tuesday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

He'll have an opportunity to earn an additional $1 million in incentives. Hays was limited to just 85 games between the Orioles and Phillies in 2024 due to a calf strain and a kidney infection, and he slashed a disappointing .255/.303/.396 when on the field. However, he had a career .751 OPS prior to last season, including a .779 OPS versus left-handers, so some level of rebound for the 29-year-old in 2025 is doable. Great American Ball Park is an ideal landing spot, although it's not clear whether the Reds intend to give Hays regular starts against righties in addition to lefties.

Sasaki was given a recommendation to undergo Tommy John surgery by a doctor prior to his first season with the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan, Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Sasaki decided against having the operation and eventually discovered the issue was shoulder-related, with a nerve problem leading to discomfort in his elbow. The 23-year-old had durability issues throughout his career in Japan, most recently being limited by arm an oblique injuries over the last two seasons. Sasaki topped out at 129.1 innings with Chiba Lotte in 2022 and tossed 111 frames in 2024. While there don't appear to be any current health-related concerns with the righty, the Dodgers undoubtedly will be careful with his workload. Sasaki is expected to be part of a six-man rotation in 2025, and it's likely additional rest will be built in for him whenever feasible.