MLB Player News

The Cubs claimed Serven off waivers from the Rockies on Friday.

The Rockies dumped Serven from their 40-man roster in order to make room for Jacob Stallings, who signed with the club Friday. Serven managed to slash just .199/.241/.331 across 162 plate appearances with Colorado's Triple-A affiliate, and he'll almost certainly return to the minors to begin his tenure with the Cubs.

Hudson signed a one-year contract with the Rockies on Friday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Hudson was non-tendered by the Cardinals earlier in the offseason after putting up a 4.64 ERA and 1.47 WHIP with a 123:95 K:BB across the past two seasons. Signing with the Rockies should ensure Hudson remains part of a major-league rotation, but having to pitch his home games at Coors Field likely won't help his subpar statline.

Stallings signed a one-year contract with the Rockies on Friday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

The Marlins non-tendered Stallings earlier this offseason after he slashed just .210/.287/.290 over 660 plate appearances the last two years. In Colorado, Stallings projects as the likely backup catcher to Elias Diaz.

The Giants acquired Ray (elbow) from the Mariners on Friday in exchange for Mitch Haniger (back), Anthony DeSclafani (elbow) and cash considerations, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Ray is still working his way back from Tommy John surgery and is not expected to return until after the All-Star break. However, once healthy, the Giants are hoping he can offer them the frontline rotation help they've been craving. Ray is owed $73 million over the next three seasons, although he can opt out after the 2024 campaign. The lefty won the American League Cy Young award in 2021 with the Blue Jays before holding a 3.71 ERA and 212:62 K:BB over 189 innings in 2022 in his first season in Seattle.

The Mets claimed Castillo off waivers from Arizona on Friday, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Castillo was designated for assignment in December after Lourdes Gurriel re-signed with the D-backs, and Castillo will now move across the country to join New York. The 26-year-old made just one plate appearance in the majors last year while slashing .313/.431/.410 with 72 RBI in Triple-A. He'll likely begin the year at Triple-A Syracuse.

Busenitz signed a minor-league deal with the Reds on Thursday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Busenitz spent the 2023 season in the Cincinnati organization, pitching primarily with Triple-A Louisville. He posted a 4.94 ERA and 1.49 WHIP at that level and is likely to be organizational depth again in 2024.

Plassmeyer signed a minor-league contract with the Pirates on Friday, Dec. 29.

Plassmeyer was lit up during his lone MLB appearance last season, surrendering 10 runs (nine earned) to the Mets over the course of 3.2 innings. The left-hander registered a 5.05 ERA and 1.47 WHIP across 67.2 frames with the Phillies' Triple-A affiliate, and he'll now serve as organizational rotation depth for the Pirates.

Johnson signed a minor-league contract with the Padres on Dec. 21.

Johnson has slashed .148/.209/.213 across 67 plate appearances in his major-league career, but his .828 Triple-A OPS from last season is enough for San Diego to take a chance on him. Johnson should have a chance to make the Padres' Opening Day roster based on the team's lack of outfield depth, but the 28-year-old will most likely begin the year at Triple-A El Paso.

Mercado signed a minor-league contract with the Padres on Dec. 28.

Mercado played in 20 big-league games with the Cardinals last season, racking up nine hits and five RBI in 32 trips to the plate. Down in Triple-A, he slashed .298/.366/.521 with 14 homers and 62 RBI between three different organizations. The Padres have limited outfield depth on their current big-league roster, so Mercado may have a decent chance of playing in San Diego this season as a bench piece.

Wynns cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Louisville on Thursday.

Wynns is no longer on the Reds' 40-man roster but will be in major-league camp as a non-roster invitee. The veteran catcher is likely to be assigned to Louisville at the outset of the 2024 campaign.