MLB Player News

Strider (elbow) has completed four bullpen sessions and is on track to have a mostly normal spring training, Lindsay Crosby of AthlonSports.com reports.

Strider's progress is notable and a strong sign of his potential to contribute significant innings in 2025. However, general manager Alex Anthopoulos reiterated that the current plan is that Strider will not open the season on the active roster. More details about his timeline should emerge as spring training begins and progresses.

Winder signed a minor-league contract with the Diamondbacks on Thursday that includes an invitation to spring training, Alex D'Agostino of Sports Illustrated reports.

Winder appeared in four games for the Twins last season, allowing three runs and striking out 10 batters over nine innings. He didn't have nearly the same amount of success in the minors, however, finishing the Triple-A season with a 6.15 ERA and 1.66 WHIP across 41 frames. Until he can get back to finding consistent success, most of his time will likely be spent at Triple-A Reno.

Atlanta designated Gillispie for assignment Thursday, Lindsay Crosby of AthlonSports.com reports.

Gillispie signed a one-year deal with Atlanta earlier this winter with hopes of earning a spot in the team's starting rotation or in the bullpen as a long reliever. Instead, he'll be put on waivers to make room for Jurickson Profar, who agreed to a three-year deal with Atlanta on Thursday. The 27-year-old Gillispie fared well in a small sample size with the Guardians last season, allowing just two earned runs over eight innings, and he finished with a 4.05 ERA in Triple-A over 113.1 frames.

Atlanta agreed to terms on a three-year, $42 million contract with Profar on Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Profar delivered the best season of his career in 2024, slashing .280/.380/.459 with 24 homers and 10 steals in 158 games during the regular season with the Padres. He also hit the ball harder than ever with a 91.1 mph average exit velocity. Profar should become Atlanta's everyday left fielder, which could leave Jarred Kelenic without a starting job once Ronald Acuna (knee) returns.

Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said Thursday that while he anticipates Scott receiving plenty of save chances, he will not be the team's set closer, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Scott might very well be the favorite to nab the most saves for the Dodgers after inking a four-year, $72 million contract, but the team plans to play matchups in the late innings rather than have a dedicated closer. In addition to Scott, Kirby Yates, Blake Treinen and Michael Kopech (forearm) also figure to be in the mix for save opportunities.

The Brewers outrighted Bukauskas to Triple-A Nashville on Thursday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Bukauskas has been outrighted previously, so he has the ability to decline the assignment and become a free agent if he wants. The right-handed reliever holds a career 5.04 ERA and 27:11 K:BB over 30.1 innings covering parts of three major-league seasons.

Edwards said earlier this month of his right shoulder that it's the "best it's felt in years" since he began a new throwing program this offseason, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Edwards first suffered a right shoulder impingement back in 2022 and had resigned himself to having to throw through discomfort. However, after working with Marlins director of catching Maxx Garrett on a new throwing program, Edwards said "it's not bothering me to throw at all" anymore. The shoulder issue didn't seem to impact Edwards at the plate in 2024, as he slashed .328/.397/.423 with one homer and 31 stolen bases in 70 games for the Marlins. However, being free and easy in all phases of his game can only help the 25-year-old's prospects heading into 2025.

Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes downplayed Kopech's right forearm injury Wednesday and said, "I don't think there's anything of concern at this point," Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

A report from Bob Nightengale of USA Today on Monday indicated that Kopech could miss the first month of the season due to right forearm inflammation he began experiencing during the playoffs. While Gomes conceded that Kopech was "grinding" through the postseason, the GM doesn't seem to believe it will be a long-term issue. Whether Kopech will indeed get a late start to the 2025 season is not clear. When healthy, Kopech will be part of the late-inning mix in the Dodgers' bullpen.

Diaz began his throwing program at home in Puerto Rico in order to get off to a better start in the 2025 season, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. "I started throwing or loosening up my arm at the end of October," Diaz said. "I feel like since then, I've been able to work on my throwing and get my arm loose and ready for spring training. I think just my physique and how I've been able to work as well has been much better."

Diaz's ERA soared like a jet airplane early in the season, peaking at 7.47 after a terrible outing against the Dodgers in May. Over the final four months of the season, Diaz posted a 2.83 ERA and 1.14 WHIP, though his K% remained lower than his previous seasons. The Reds haven't added any real competition to the back end of the bullpen to date, so it appears that Diaz will get a full chance to redeem himself to start 2025.

Berti signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Cubs on Wednesday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

A calf injury limited Berti to just 25 regular-season games in 2024, during which he slashed .273/.342/.318 with six RBI and five stolen bases across 74 plate appearances with the Yankees. If healthy this season, the 35-year-old infielder has a path to semi-regular playing time in Chicago, which is facing some uncertainty at third base. However, he'll likely face some competition during spring training in the form of top prospect Matt Shaw.