MLB Player News

Hernandez signed a minor-league contract with the Padres on Friday that includes an invitation to spring training.

Hernandez elected free agency after losing his spot on the Padres' 40-man roster back in November, but he's now back with the club as a non-roster invitee. The 29-year-old was knocked around during his brief time in the majors in 2023 but held a 3.84 ERA and 82:21 K:BB over 61 innings between Double-A San Antonio and Triple-A El Paso.

Bryant is expected to be the Rockies' everyday first baseman in 2024, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reports.

Saunders notes that Bryant will also see starts at designated hitter and could play some right field, as well, but the plan is to make him the regular first baseman. Bryant has made only 30 starts at first base in his major-league career, but seven of those came in September last season after he returned from one of his many injuries. The 32-year-old contends that he's healthy now and hopefully playing a less demanding position will help keep him that way. Bryant has played in just 32 percent of the Rockies' games during his two seasons in Colorado because of a multitude of injuries.

Ottavino signed a one-year, $4.5 million contract with the Mets on Saturday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Ottavino declined his player option worth $6.75 million earlier in the season, and the fact $4 million of that salary would have been deferred likely played a part in that decision. He'll now stick with the Mets on a cheaper deal and likely reprise his role as a high-leverage reliever. The 38-year-old righty logged a 3.21 ERA and 1.22 WHIP with 62 strikeouts in 61.2 innings last season while collecting a career-best 12 saves. Less ninth-inning work is likely in 2024 with closer Edwin Diaz back and healthy, however.

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

Pineda will lose his spot on the 40-man roster to make room for Joey Gallo, whose signing became official Saturday. Pineda played in four games for the Nationals in 2022, but the 23-year-old backstop didn't make it past Double-A Harrisburg in 2023, where he slashed just .152/.215/.212 across 107 plate appearances. He will likely return to Double-A to begin 2024.

Neris signed a one-year, $9 million contract with the Cubs on Saturday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Neris posted the best numbers of his career in 2023 with a 1.71 ERA and 1.05 WHIP while striking out 77 batters in 68.1 frames and picking up 31 holds. The 34-year-old righty will immediately slide into a high-leverage role with Chicago, and he could be in the mix for save chances alongside Adbert Alzolay. Neris' new deal includes a $9 million team option for 2025 that turns into a player option if he pitches in 60 games this year -- a mark he has hit in each of the past three seasons.

Festa signed a minor-league contract with the Padres on Friday and received an invitation to major-league spring training.

Festa pitched in parts of four seasons for the Mariners before being DFA'd in August, accumulating a 4.32 career ERA and 1.32 WHIP in 93.2 total innings. He'll get a chance to make the Padres' Opening Day roster, though his role likely caps out as a middle reliever.

Ray (elbow) will throw from 120 feet Saturday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Ray hopes to begin throwing off a mound early on in spring training and said a return around the All-Star break would be a "best-case scenario." Acquired from the Mariners via trade earlier this month, Ray underwent Tommy John and flexor tendon surgery last May. The lefty has an opt-out clause in his contract after this season, but he wouldn't commit one way or another Friday to exercising it or not, saying his main focus is just to get healthy.

Peterson signed a minor-league contract with the Dodgers on Friday that includes an invitation to spring training, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Peterson, 29, spent last season in the Rockies organization split between Double-A Hartford and Triple-A Albuquerque, holding a 3.46 ERA and 49:25 K:BB over 41.2 relief innings. The tall right-hander has never appeared in the big leagues.

Padlo signed a minor-league contract with the Dodgers on Friday that includes an invitation to spring training, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Padlo was in the Angels organization in 2023, going 1-for-8 at the plate during his brief time with the big club and posting an .835 OPS with 13 homers at Triple-A Salt Lake. The 27-year-old is likely headed to Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he'll represent infield depth.

Roberson signed a minor-league contract with the Padres on Thursday.

Roberson went from the Rays to the Cubs in a trade this past August, but his tenure in Chicago's organization wound up being a brief one. The 27-year-old has displayed a penchant for both strikeouts and walks, most recently fanning 49 and walking 31 over 40 innings at the Triple-A level in 2023. He has never appeared in the majors.