MLB Player News

The Cubs designated Mastrobuoni for assignment Thursday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

The 29-year-old will end up as the Cubs' roster casualty following the acquisition of Matt Festa from Texas on Thursday. Mastrobuoni has slashed just .219/.279/.263 across 272 career plate appearances in the majors, and his .634 OPS at Triple-A Iowa last season could cause him to pass through waivers unclaimed.

Romero agreed to a one-year contract with the Cardinals on Thursday to avoid arbitration.

Romero ended the season on the injured list with a forearm issue but resumed throwing early in the offseason and should be healthy for the start of spring training. The left-hander racked up 30 holds and one save with a 3.36 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 51:16 K:BB across 59 innings last year.

The Rangers traded Festa to the Cubs on Thursday in exchange for cash considerations.

The 31-year-old righty was pushed off the Rangers' 40-man roster Monday to make room for new acquisition Chris Martin but will reclaim a 40-man spot upon moving to Chicago. Festa finished 2024 with a 5.70 ERA and 1.23 WHIP across 23.2 total innings between the Mets and Rangers, and he'll now attempt to make the Cubs' bullpen as a low-leverage arm during spring training. Miles Mastrobuoni was DFA'd in a corresponding move.

The Mets and Torrens avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract Thursday.

Torrens was eligible for arbitration for the second time. He's slated to open the 2025 season as the Mets' backup catcher behind Francisco Alvarez.

The Mets and Taylor (abdomen/elbow) avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract Thursday.

Taylor had been eligible for salary arbitration for the second time. The outfielder had hernia surgery and surgery to remove a loose body from his elbow earlier this offseason but is expected to be ready in time for Opening Day. He's tentatively penciled in as the Mets' fourth outfielder.

The Mets and Peterson avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract Thursday.

Peterson will be able to skip a hearing in what was his second year of arbitration eligibility. The southpaw's strikeout rate dipped to 19.8 percent in 2024, but he finished with a 2.90 ERA over 21 regular-season starts and will open 2025 in the Mets' rotation.

The Mets and Megill avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract Thursday.

He had been eligible for arbitration for the first time. Megill put up a 27 percent strikeout rate in 16 appearances (15 starts) with the Mets in 2024 but might have to settle for a bullpen job to open 2025.

The Mets and Blackburn (back) avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract Thursday.

Blackburn was eligible for arbitration for the third and final time. The veteran right-hander is recovering from back surgery but is expected to be ready for Opening Day. However, it appears unlikely at this juncture that there will be room for him in the Mets' rotation.

Graterol (shoulder) agreed to a one-year, $2.8 million contract with the Dodgers on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Injuries plagued Graterol's 2024 campaign, as shoulder inflammation prevented him from making his season debut until August, during which he suffered a Grade 3 hamstring strain. He was able to make six more appearances before the end of the regular season, finishing with two earned runs allowed over 7.1 innings. The 26-year-old is now recovering from right shoulder labrum surgery and isn't expected back until after the All-Star break.

Moll (shoulder) agreed to a one-year, $1.001 million contract with the Reds on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The left-hander landed on the injured list late last season due to a shoulder impingement but should be ready for the start of spring training. Moll made 48 appearances for the Reds last year and had a 3.35 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 38:14 K:BB over 37.2 innings.