MLB Player News

The Dodgers designated Hudson for assignment Wednesday, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Timesreports.

Hudson made six big-league appearances last season and surrendered seven earned runs with a 7:4 K:BB across 8.2 innings. The left-hander pitched much better at Triple-A Oklahoma City with a 2.43 ERA in 46 outings, and he's likely to begin 2024 with the affiliate, assuming he passes through waivers unclaimed.

Kennedy signed a minor-league contract with the Reds on Dec. 20.

Kennedy posted a 6.50 ERA in five appearances (two starts) for the Reds and a 4.81 ERA in 17 appearances (16 starts) with Triple-A Louisville in 2023. He's likely headed back to Louisville to start 2024.

The Mets signed Smith to a minor-league contract Sunday with an invitation to major-league spring training, the Associated Press reports.

The 28-year-old right-hander elected to become a free agent last month after being outrighted off the 40-man roster in Oakland. Smith has allowed 25 earned runs in 31.2 career major-league innings and also struggled to a 7.53 ERA across 35 appearances last season with the Triple-A affiliate of the Athletics.

The Reds signed Capel to a minor-league contract Tuesday with an invitation to major-league spring training.

Capel spent the majority of the 2023 season with the Triple-A affiliate of the Athletics, slashing .252/.346/.402 with nine home runs and 17 stolen bases over 92 games in the Pacific Coast League. The 26-year-old outfielder has appeared in 54 career big-league games between the Cardinals and A's.

Arauz signed a minor-league contract with the Dodgers on Dec. 15.

Arauz is a career .184/.253/.308 hitter in 95 games at the major-league level, most recently going 8-for-59 (.136) over 27 games with the Mets in 2023. The 25-year-old will give the Dodgers some utility infielder depth.

The Padres claimed Patino off waivers from the White Sox on Friday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

It's a return to his original organization for Patino, who was traded from the Padres to the Rays prior to the 2021 season in the Blake Snell deal. Patino has managed just a 5.02 ERA and 124:70 K:BB in 136.1 major-league innings, but he's still only 24 and San Diego probably could use the pitching depth.

Castillo was designated for assignment by the Diamondbacks on Friday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

The move was made in order to free up a spot on the 40-man roster for the return of Lourdes Gurriel. Castillo received just one plate appearance with Arizona in 2023 but slashed .313/.431/.410 at Triple-A Reno. As a 26-year-old with defensive versatility, Castillo could draw some interest on waivers.

The Pirates designated Jackson for assignment Thursday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Jackson split the 2023 season between the Pirates and Dodgers and worked as both a starter and reliever. All told, he managed a 4.99 ERA and 1.21 WHIP across 61.1 innings in the majors, so he should be able to find a new opportunity in relatively short order.

Colorado re-signed Blach on Thursday to a minor-league contract with an invitation to major-league spring training, Steve Adams of MLBTradeRumors.com reports.

Adams notes that Blach had an opportunity in the Korea Baseball Organization but ultimately decided to remain in affiliated ball. The 33-year-old left-hander has struggled over the last two seasons with the Rockies, compiling a 5.66 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 79:35 K:BB in 122.1 big-league innings.

The Mets acquired Taylor and Adrian Houser from the Brewers on Wednesday in exchange for Coleman Crow (elbow), Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Taylor became expendable for the Brewers when they secured top outfield prospect Jackson Chourio to a pre-debut eight-year, $82 million contract earlier this month. Elbow troubles limited Taylor to 81 major-league games in 2023 and he batted just .234 with a .267 on-base percentage across 243 plate appearances when healthy. The 29-year-old projects to function as a fourth outfielder and bench bat in Queens.