MLB Player News

The Mets signed Gose to a minor-league contract Friday that includes an invitation to spring training, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

A converted outfielder, Gose holds a 4.78 ERA but a 41:17 K:BB over 32 innings at the big-league level. The 34-year-old will be a long shot to win a spot in the Mets' bullpen.

Kepler (knee) agreed to a one-year, $10 million contract with the Phillies on Thursday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Kepler ended last season on the injured list with left knee tendinitis. He's spent most of his career playing right field and has also seen action in center, but he's expected to man left field for the Phillies. He had a .253/.302/.380 slash line with eight homers in just 105 games with the Twins last season as he missed time due to injuries in both his knees. He hit better against lefties last season than righties (.721 OPS vs. LHP) but has been much better against righties during his career. That could lead him to be part of a platoon in left field eventually.

Pache signed a minor-league contract with the Diamondbacks on Thursday and received an invitation to spring training, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Pache spent time with the Orioles, Marlins and Phillies last season, finishing with a .552 OPS and 16 RBI across 183 total plate appearances during the regular season. Barring a drastic turnaround at the plate in spring training, the 26-year-old outfielder will likely report to Triple-A Reno to begin the new campaign.

The Reds claimed Contreras off waivers from the Rangers on Thursday.

It's the second time this offseason that Contreras has been on the move via the waivers process, as he previously went from the Angels to the Rangers. The 25-year-old held a 4.35 ERA and 56:31 K:BB over 68.1 innings between the Pirates and Angels in 2024. Contreras has experience as a starting pitcher and reliever, though it's not clear which role the Reds have in mind for him.

Soroka agreed to terms on a one-year, $9 million contract with the Nationals on Thursday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Soroka started last season with a 6.39 ERA and 1.51 WHIP after nine starts with the White Sox. His performance improved dramatically after moving to the bullpen, posting a 2.75 ERA and 1.22 WHIP alongside a 60:20 K:BB over 36 frames as a reliever. The Nationals will attempt to transition Soroka back into a starting role, per Andrew Golden of The Washington Post, but given the 27-year-old's injury history and the fact he hasn't reached 100 innings since 2019, the Nationals may look to limit his workload.

Vespi signed a minor-league contract with the Phillies on Thursday and received an invitation to spring training, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Vespi held his own in the majors last season, allowing four earned runs over 12.1 innings with the Orioles. However, his success didn't translate to the minors, as he finished the year with a 7.23 ERA and 2.04 WHIP in 42.1 frames at Triple-A Norfolk. He'll get a chance to redeem himself and compete for a bullpen spot during spring training with Philly, but the 29-year-old southpaw is most likely destined to start 2025 in Triple-A.

Canning signed a one-year, $4.25 million contract with the Mets on Wednesday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Canning made 32 appearances (31 starts) for the Angels last season, accumulating a 5.19 ERA and 1.40 WHIP alongside a 130:66 K:BB over 171.2 innings. He could compete with Tylor Megill for the final spot in New York's rotation during spring training, depending on the health of Paul Blackburn (back) and how successful Clay Holmes is in transitioning to a starting role.

Arenado used his no-trade clause to block a potential trade to the Astros, Mark Feinsand, John Denton and Brian McTaggart of MLB.com report.

The report says the Cardinals were willing to send $15-20 million to the Astros to help cover part of Arenado's salary, but the third baseman informed St. Louis he would not waive his no-trade clause to go to Houston. It's not clear what the Cardinals would have received in return. While the two sides are still having "ongoing talks," the Astros "aren't holding out much hope that a deal will get done."

The Cubs acquired Poteet from the Yankees on Tuesday in exchange for Cody Bellinger and cash consideration, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Poteet, 30, made four starts and one relief appearance for the Yankees in 2024, collecting a 2.22 ERA and 16:8 K:BB across 24.1 innings. He could be used either as a starter or reliever, with the rotation at Triple-A Iowa perhaps being his most likely destination.

Atlanta signed Weems to a minor-league contract Tuesday, Spencer Nusbaum of The Washington Post reports.

Weems, 32, holds a career 5.26 ERA and 161:77 K:BB over 155.2 innings covering parts of five seasons at the major-league level. He will likely begin the 2025 campaign in the bullpen at Triple-A Gwinnett.