MLB Player News

The Cubs designated Arias for assignment Monday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for the signing of Colin Rea. Arias, 23, made a full-time move to relief in 2024 and split the season between Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa, compiling a 4.77 ERA and 72:48 K:BB over 60.1 innings.

The Rockies signed Woodford to a minor-league contract Sunday that includes an invitation to spring training, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Woodford made nine appearances (seven starts) between the White Sox and Pirates in 2024, posting a 7.97 ERA and 26:9 K:BB over 35 innings. He will likely compete for a swingman role in spring training but figures to be ticketed for Triple-A Albuquerque.

Cooper agreed to a minor-league contract with Atlanta on Sunday that includes an invitation to big-league spring training, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Cooper had a .566 OPS in 36 games between the Red Sox and Cubs last season and spent much of the campaign at Triple-A Norfolk in the Orioles organization. The 34-year-old has experience at first base and in the corner outfield, but he'll likely need a strong showing in spring training to have a chance of making the Opening Day roster.

The Giants designated Sabol for assignment Saturday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The move makes room on the Giants' 40-man roster for Justin Verlander, whose one-year, $15 million contract was officially signed Saturday. Sabol spent most of the 2024 regular season with Triple-A Sacramento, where he slashed .246/.340/.388 with 11 stolen bases, 11 home runs and 54 RBI across 403 plate appearances. He appeared in 11 regular-season games with the Giants, going 10-for-32 with five walks, two doubles and one RBI.

Diaz signed a minor-league contract with the Giants on Dec. 28.

The Astros released Diaz in late May after he started the Triple-A season with a 9.64 ERA through 14 innings. He then signed with the Tigers and finished the year allowing just seven earned runs over 32 minor-league frames. If the 30-year-old righty is able to continue his dominant run in 2025, he may have a chance at contributing to the Giants' bullpen throughout the year.

The Nationals designated Willingham for assignment Saturday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

With Jorge Lopez (groin) signing a one-year deal with the Nats on Saturday, Willingham will end up as the odd man out of a roster spot. The 26-year-old righty spent most of his time last season with Triple-A Rochester, where he logged a 3.69 ERA and 1.35 WHIP alongside a 71:31 K:BB across 68.1 innings.

Lopez (groin) signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Nationals on Saturday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

After being unceremoniously cut by the Mets midway through last season, Lopez signed with the Cubs and immediately went on one of the best statistical runs of his career, turning in a 2.03 ERA and 1.09 WHIP across 26.2 innings with Chicago. The 31-year-old reliever still holds a 5.25 ERA over his nine-year career, but his recent performance and a lack of depth in Washington's bullpen could allow him to appear regularly in high-leverage situations.

The Diamondbacks claimed Pinto off waivers from the Orioles on Friday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Pinto has slashed .231/.263/.404 with 10 homers over 82 games at the big-league level but spent most of 2024 at Triple-A Durham in the Rays organization. He is out of minor-league options, so the Diamondbacks will need to carry him on the Opening Day roster or attempt to pass him through waivers.

The Cubs agreed to terms on a one-year, $5 million contract with Rea on Friday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

The deal also includes a club option for 2026. The Brewers declined Rea's $5.5 million club option for 2025 back in November, but between his $1 million buyout and new deal with the Cubs, he'll wind up with a little more than had the option been picked up. Rea posted a 4.29 ERA and 1.26 WHIP over 32 regular-season appearances (27 starts), but he had a 3.70 ERA through the end of August before a rough September. The Cubs already have at least five starters that are probably better than Rea, so he might pitch in long relief initially.

Garcia and the Nationals agreed to a one-year contract worth $4.5 million to avoid arbitration Thursday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Garcia enjoyed a breakout 2024 season, posting a career-best .162 ISO and 111 wRC+ across 528 plate appearances. He should play a key role in the middle of the Nationals lineup again in 2025 and will see a pay raise of roughly $2.6 million as compared to last season.