MLB Player News

Grandal and the Pirates agreed Sunday on a one-year, $2.5 million contract, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Grandal will make the move back to the National League after spending the past four seasons with the White Sox. The 35-year-old lost playing time down the stretch last season and and finished with a .234/.309/.339 slash line over 405 plate appearances. Though he was once an upper-tier fantasy catcher, Grandal is clearly on the downside of his career, as he's posted a lowly 74 wRC+ over the past two seasons. In Pittsburgh, Grandal projects to see a couple of starts per week behind the plate as young backstop Henry Davis' primary backup. The switch-hitting Grandal has typically performed better against left-handed pitching throughout his career, so he could also be deployed as a short-side platoon option at first base or at designated hitter.

Turnbull agreed Sunday with the Phillies on a one-year, $2 million contract, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports. The contract includes up to $2 million in incentives.

Turnbull was non-tendered by the Tigers earlier in the offseason following an ineffective, injury-plagued 2023 campaign, but he'll be added to the Phillies' 40-man roster and should have a chance to compete for a back-end spot in the team's Opening Day rotation. The 31-year-old still has a minor-league option remaining and will most likely begin the season at Triple-A Lehigh Valley if he falls short in his bid for a rotation spot with Philadelphia, but an injury or two could quickly pave the way for him to surface with the big club. Turnbull should at least head into Phillies camp with a clean bill of health, and he has a decent overall track record at the big-league level to fall back on in spite of his struggles in 2023. Over 61 career appearances (60 starts) across 302.1 innings with the Tigers from 2018 through 2023, Turnbull logged a 4.55 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 12.3 K-BB%.

Adams (ankle) cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Syracuse by the Mets on Sunday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Adams signed a one-year deal with the Mets in late November but was designated for assignment last week in order to make room for Jake Diekman. Adams has been given a non-roster invitation to spring training, and he'll be at camp. He appeared in 24 games for the Diamondbacks in 2023 and finished with a 5.71 ERA, 22 strikeouts and eight walks over 17.1 innings.

The Twins traded Gordon to the Marlins on Sunday in exchange for relief pitcher Steven Okert, Craig Mish of the Miami Herald reports.

Gordon will head to Miami after spending the first three seasons of his major-league career with Minnesota. The 28-year-old appeared in 34 games with the Twins in 2023, producing a disappointing .176 batting average with eight extra-base hits over 91 at-bats. He'll look to carve out a more significant role with the Marlins this season.

Padres manager Mike Shildt said Sunday that Jacob (elbow) has no lingering health concerns as spring training gets underway, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Jacob has reported to the Padres' camp and looks as though he'll face no restrictions after he ended the 2023 season on the 60-day injured list with a flexor strain in his right elbow. Before being shut down shortly after the All-Star break, Jacob made the first three appearances of his MLB career out of the San Diego bullpen, allowing no runs or hits over three innings while striking out five and walking one. The 25-year-old righty will be given a fair chance to compete for an Opening Day roster spot, though the fact that he has three minor-league options remaining and doesn't have a long track record at the big-league level may work against him.

Robles heads into spring training as the Nationals' starter in center field, but he may not have a long leash due to Dylan Crews and other top outfield prospects likely to make their major-league debuts in 2024, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Once a top prospect himself, Robles' offensive production has been on a steady decline since he slugged 17 homers with 28 steals in 2019, but he did come out of the gate hot last season (.302/.394/.372 slash line on May 3) before back trouble ruined the rest of his campaign. If the 26-year-old can stay healthy, he's a strong defensive player, but the pressure will increase on his bat once the organization determines that younger options like Crews and James Wood are ready. Robles' potential upside in steals still gives him some appeal in deep fantasy formats, but he's nothing more than an endgame dart throw.

The Marlins designated Burdick for assignment Friday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Burdick was removed from the 40-man roster in order to clear space for Darren McCaughan, who was acquired from Seattle on Friday. Burdick saw some early action with the Marlins in 2023 but never returned to the big-league roster after being optioned in late May, and he slashed .217/.325/.443 with 24 homers and 72 RBI in 492 plate appearances at Triple-A Jacksonville.

The Mariners traded McCaughan to the Marlins on Friday in exchange for cash, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

McCaughan cleared waivers Wednesday after being designated for assignment, but he'll reclaim a 40-man roster spot as he transitions to Miami. The 27-year-old righty made three appearances last season with the Mariners, allowing three earned runs in five innings while striking out 10 batters and walking three. Peyton Burdick was DFA'd in a corresponding move.

India signed a two-year, $8.8 million contract with the Reds on Friday to avoid arbitration, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

He can earn an additional $2.05 million in 2025 in incentives. India had been arbitration-eligible for the first time and will have one additional year of control in 2026. The 27-year-old slashed .244/.338/.407 with 17 home runs and 14 stolen bases over 119 contests for Cincinnati in 2023. India has played only second base to this point in the majors but is expected to be used at multiple positions in 2024.

The Dodgers placed Gonsolin (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Friday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

The move frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Clayton Kershaw (shoulder). Kershaw, of course, will soon go on the 60-day IL himself, creating another spot. Gonsolin will miss the 2024 campaign while recovering from Tommy John surgery.