MLB Player News

The Cubs acquired Thaiss from the Angels on Wednesday in exchange for cash consideration, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Thaiss was designated for assignment last week and has now found a new home. The Cubs are looking for catching help this offseason, although Thaiss wouldn't necessarily be an upgrade over Miguel Amaya. As things stand right now, he and Amaya could share starts at the position.

The Rockies re-signed Stallings on Wednesday to a one-year, $2 million contract with a $2 million mutual option for 2026.

Stallings declined his portion of a mutual option for 2025 earlier this month but is now back in Colorado on a new deal. The veteran catcher slashed .263/.357/.453 with nine homers over 82 games for the Rockies in 2024. Stallings will likely share catching duties with Drew Romo in 2025, although Hunter Goodman could also be in the mix.

The Cubs designated Wisdom for assignment Wednesday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for the newly-acquired Eli Morgan. Wisdom, 33, fell off to a lowly .171/.237/.392 batting line this season for the Cubs. Rather than pay him a raise in arbitration, the team is removing him from the roster now. Wisdom slugged 76 homers from 2021-23 and still hits the ball very hard when he makes contact, so he should be able to find work with a club that's willing to deal with his strikeout problems.

The Cubs acquired Morgan from the Guardians on Wednesday in exchange for Alfonsin Rosario, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Morgan boasts a 3.27 ERA over the last three seasons out of Cleveland's bullpen, although his strikeout rate dipped to 20.4 percent in 2024. He has past starting experience but will likely fill a middle-relief role in Chicago.

Brooks signed a minor-league contract with the Padres on Wednesday.

Brooks struggled in his first 12 regular-season games as a big-leaguer, going just 3-for-25 with an RBI and six strikeouts with the Giants last year. However, he slashed .302/.410/.453 with 58 RBI over 407 plate appearance in the minors, which is good enough for the Padres to bring him in as organizational depth at first base.

The Giants selected Ragsdale to the 40-man roster Tuesday.

Ragsdale appeared in 27 games between Double-A Richmond and Triple-A Sacramento in 2024, producing a 5.03 ERA and 1.62 WHIP with 57 strikeouts over 53.2 innings in 13 appearances, including 12 starts. The right-hander will likely open the 2025 campaign with Sacramento in an attempt to refine his skills before a potential major-league debut during the season.

Teng was designated for assignment by San Francisco on Tuesday.

Teng spent the majority of the 2024 campaign with Triple-A Sacramento, producing an inflated 8.60 ERA and 1.81 WHIP with 61 strikeouts over 75.1 innings in 23 appearances, including 13 starts. Additionally, the right-hander gave up 12 earned runs over 11 innings in four appearances with the Giants last year. He'll now be placed on waivers and if he goes unclaimed, he'll likely remain with Triple-A Sacramento ahead of the 2025 season.

Elbis was selected to the Diamondbacks' 40-man roster Tuesday, Jesse Friedman of GoPHNX.com reports.

Elbis started 24 games between High-A Hillsboro and Double-A Amarillo in 2024, producing a 4.57 ERA with 37 strikeouts over 45.1 innings in eight outings at the latter affiliate. The right-hander will now be protected from the upcoming Rule 5 Draft and he will look to prove himself with Arizona during spring training.

The Cubs designated Davis for assignment Tuesday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Although Davis slashed .214/.359/.469 at Triple-A Iowa in 2024, various injuries limited him to just 55 minor-league games (47 in Triple-A, eight in High-A). His 40-man roster spot will now be handed to top prospect and fellow outfielder Owen Caissie.

The Cubs designated Alzolay (elbow) for assignment Tuesday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

After undergoing Tommy John surgery in August, Alzolay isn't expected to pitch again until 2026, and the Cubs seemingly would rather use his 40-man roster spot to shield Ben Cowles from the upcoming Rule 5 Draft. Alzolay has put up a 3.10 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in 81.1 innings over the last two seasons, and there's a good chance he draws some interest from other teams on waivers.