MLB Player News

Scott agreed to a four-year, $72 million contract with the Dodgers on Sunday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Shortly after landing coveted Japanese starter Roki Sasaki, Los Angeles has now also secured the top closer on the market. Scott recorded 22 saves and 11 holds between the Marlins and Padres during the 2024 regular season and finished with a 1.75 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 84:26 K:BB across 72 innings. The left-hander should open 2025 as the favorite for saves on the best team in baseball, but righty Michael Kopech could also be in the mix.

Hoerner (elbow) has not resumed throwing or hitting, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Hoerner spoke at the Cubs' offseason fan event and disclosed that he dealt with the flexor tendon injury throughout the 2024 season. While the issue should be repaired heading into 2025, his status is unclear to begin the campaign. Hoerner will also have roughly 10 fewer days to recover because the Cubs will open the season in Japan on March 18 against the Dodgers before returning stateside to play at Arizona on March 27.

Knizner signed a minor-league contract with the Nationals on Friday and received an invitation to spring training, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Knizner spent the majority of last season with the Rangers, slashing just .167/.183/.211 over 93 plate appearances before being DFA'd in August. He posted a .743 OPS with the Diamondbacks' Triple-A affiliate to close the season and will likely report to Triple-A Rochester to begin the 2025 campaign.

Sasaki agreed to terms on a contract with the Dodgers on Friday, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.

Sasaki received offers from many teams but ultimately decided to join the Dodgers, who were heavily favored to land the 23-year-old from the beginning. The right-hander receives a $6.5 million signing bonus, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. Over four seasons in Japan, Sasaki compiled a 2.02 ERA and 0.88 WHIP across 414.2 innings. Although his deal is officially only a minor-league contract, the phenom is certainly talented enough to pitch in the majors immediately. That being said, it's unclear where he will fit in the Dodgers' star-studded rotation.

Minter (hip) agreed to a two-year, $22 million contract with the Mets on Friday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

The Mets were known to be seeking a high-leverage reliever and have landed one of the better ones available in Minter. The 31-year-old southpaw was limited to 39 appearances for Atlanta in 2024 due to a left hip injury which eventually required surgery, but he was highly effective when on the bump, compiling a 2.62 ERA and 35:11 K:BB over 34.1 innings. Since 2020, Minter boasts a 2.85 ERA and 30.1 percent strikeout rate. There's no word on how far along he is in his recovery, but he will presumably be ready to go by Opening Day. He'll operate in a setup role ahead of closer Edwin Diaz next season at least, but the two-year deal has an opt-out after 2025.

The Pirates acquired Shugart from the Red Sox on Friday in exchange for Matt McShane, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Shugart had been designated for assignment. The 28-year-old reached the big leagues for the first time this past season, yielding four runs over 8.2 relief innings. Shugart will compete for a spot in the Pirates' bullpen.

Atlanta designated Winans for assignment Friday.

The move frees a spot on the 40-man roster for Amos Willingham, who was claimed off waivers. Winans, 29, has made eight starts at the big-league level since the beginning of the 2023 season, putting up a 7.20 ERA and 38:12 K:BB across 40 innings.

Atlanta claimed Willingham off waivers from the Nationals on Friday.

Willingham had been designated for assignment and is now on the move to another 40-man roster in the NL East. The 26-year-old has made 19 appearances in the majors since the start of the 2023 season, collecting a 7.11 ERA and 16:9 K:BB across 25.1 frames.

The Brewers designated Bukauskas for assignment Friday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

The transaction creates space on the 40-man roster for the signing of Elvin Rodriguez. Bukauskas was injured for much of 2024 with triceps and oblique problems, but he pitched well when available, yielding one run with a 6:1 K:BB in six innings. There could be interest in the 28-year-old via trade or waivers.

The Brewers signed Rodriguez to a one-year contract with a club option for 2026, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Rodriguez spent the last year-and-a-half in Japan with the Yakult Swallows, posting a 2.77 ERA and 67:25 K:BB across 78 innings. The right-hander has eight appearances under his belt at the major-league level, having allowed 35 runs in 33 frames.