MLB Player News
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Alexis Diaz RP | CIN
Reds' Alexis Diaz: Begins throwing program earlier
Diaz began his throwing program at home in Puerto Rico in order to get off to a better start in the 2025 season, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. "I started throwing or loosening up my arm at the end of October," Diaz said. "I feel like since then, I've been able to work on my throwing and get my arm loose and ready for Spring Training. I think just my physique and how I've been able to work as well has been much better."
Diaz's ERA soared like a jet airplane early in the season, peaking at 7.47 after a terrible outing against the Dodgers in May. Over the final four months of the season, Diaz posted a 2.83 ERA and 1.14 WHIP, though his K% remained lower than his previous seasons. The Reds haven't added any competition to the back end of the bullpen to date, so it appears that Diaz will get a full chance to redeem himself to start 2025.
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Jon Berti SS | NYY
Cubs' Jon Berti: Signs with Northsiders
Berti signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Cubs on Wednesday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
A calf injury limited Berti to just 25 regular-season games in 2024, during which he slashed .273/.342/.318 with six RBI and five stolen bases across 74 plate appearances with the Yankees. Assuming he stays healthy this season, the 35-year-old infielder has a path to regular playing time in Chicago, which is facing some uncertainty at third base. However, he'll likely face some competition during spring training in the form of top prospect Matt Shaw.
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Roki Sasaki SP | LAD
Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Expected to begin year in rotation
President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said Wednesday that the Dodgers plan to use Sasaki in their major-league rotation from the beginning of the season, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Sasaki officially signed a minor-league contract with Los Angeles on Wednesday, but there are seemingly no plans to ease him into his first year with the Dodgers. However, the 23-year-old righty never pitched more than 129.1 innings in a year over his four seasons in Japan, so the Dodgers may look for other ways -- such as a six-man rotation -- to limit his rookie-season workload.
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Reese McGuire C | BOS
Cubs' Reese McGuire: MiLB deal from Northsiders
The Cubs signed McGuire to a minor-league contract Wednesday, Aram Leighton of Just Baseball reports.
McGuire, who will turn 30 in March, sports a career .252/.300/.364 batting line over parts of seven major-league seasons. The veteran backstop will likely begin the 2025 campaign at Triple-A Iowa as catching depth.
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Riley Pint RP | COL
Guardians' Riley Pint: Receives MiLB deal from Cleveland
The Guardians signed Pint to a minor-league contract Wednesday.
The No. 4 overall pick in the 2016 First-Year Player Draft, Pint has failed to live up to expectations, in large part due to an inability to find the strike zone. He made five appearances with the Rockies over the last two seasons, allowing nine runs with a 7:8 K:BB over 3.2 frames. He'll be in minor-league camp during spring training and likely begin the 2025 season at Triple-A Columbus.
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Pedro Avila RP | CLE
Guardians' Pedro Avila: Removed from 40-man roster
The Guardians designated Avila for assignment Wednesday.
The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Paul Sewald. Avila, 28, held a 3.81 ERA and 82:36 K:BB over 82.2 regular-season innings for the Guardians in 2024. There might be interest in Avila via trade or waivers, but his lack of minor-league options will limit his appeal.
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Paul Sewald RP | ARI
Guardians' Paul Sewald: Signs on with Cleveland
The Guardians signed Sewald to a one-year, $6 million contract with a $10 million mutual option for 2026 on Wednesday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.
He'll get a $1 million buyout if the mutual option isn't exercised, bringing the total guarantee to $7 million. Sewald missed some time with injury and lost his closer job with the Diamondbacks in 2024, ultimately finishing with a 4.31 ERA and 43:10 K:BB over 39.2 innings. However, from 2021 to 2023 he held a 2.95 ERA and had a 33.9 percent strikeout rate. Sewald will help set up for Emmanuel Clase in Cleveland.
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Richard Lovelady RP | TOR
Blue Jays' Richard Lovelady: Inks NRI contract with Toronto
The Blue Jays signed Lovelady to a minor-league contract Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Lovelady posted a 4.46 ERA and 1.31 WHIP over 34.1 innings between the Cubs and Rays in 2024. The left-handed reliever has limited lefty hitters to a .232/.312/.342 batting line in his career and will compete for a spot in the Blue Jays' bullpen.
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Christian Bethancourt C | TOR
Blue Jays' Christian Bethancourt: Nets NRI deal with Toronto
The Blue Jays signed Bethancourt to a minor-league contract Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Bethancourt joins the competition to serve as Toronto's backup catcher behind starter Alejandro Kirk. The 33-year-old had an .814 OPS in 24 games for the Cubs in 2024 after the Marlins cut him loose, but between the two stops managed just a .608 OPS.
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Pablo Lopez SP | MIN
Twins' Pablo Lopez: Named Opening Day starter
Twins manager Rocco Baldelli named Lopez the team's Opening Day starter Wednesday, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
It's pretty early to be naming an Opening Day starter, but Baldelli chose to let the cat out of the bag during an interview on the Inside Twins podcast. Lopez had a relatively disappointing 2024, going 15-10 while posting a 4.08 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 198:41 K:BB over 185.1 innings. His xERA was 3.67, however, and he posted a 2.77 mark in 13 second-half starts.