MLB Player News
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Daysbel Hernandez RP | ATL
Braves' Daysbel Hernandez: Might have key setup role
Hernandez could take over the high-leverage role left open by the absence of Joe Jimenez (knee) in the Atlanta bullpen, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.
Hernandez posted a 2.50 ERA and dazzling 26:10 K:BB over 18 innings in the majors last season, collecting three wins and a hold in 16 appearances. Jimenez, who recorded a career-high 27 holds in 2024 while serving as one of the top set-up men for closer Raisel Iglesias, is expected to miss most or all of the season while recovering from October knee surgery. Pierce Johnson will handle some of those late-inning assignments, but Hernandez could be an under-the-radar holds source in 2025.
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Yunior Marte RP | PHI
Yunior Marte: Signs overseas
Marte signed a contract with the Chunichi Dragons of Nippon Professional Baseball on Wednesday, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.
Marte originally signed a minor-league contract with the Mariners in November, but the Dragons will pay Seattle a release fee, and the 30-year-old reliever will instead take his talents to Japan on a $1.25 million deal. Marte owns a 5.64 ERA and 1.61 WHIP across 113.1 career big-league innings.
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Anthony Maldonado RP | ATH
Athletics' Anthony Maldonado: Remaining in organization
Maldonado cleared waivers Wednesday and was sent outright to Triple-A Las Vegas, Jason Burke of SI.com reports
After being DFA'd on Thursday to make room for Elvis Alvarado, Maldonado will officially stick around in the Athletics' farm system as organizational depth. The 26-year-old spent most of his time with the Marlins' Triple-A affiliate last season, turning in a 4.66 ERA and 1.48 WHIP across 46.1 innings.
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Dylan Covey RP | PHI
Mets' Dylan Covey: Clears waivers
Covey cleared waivers Wednesday and was sent outright to Triple-A Syracuse, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.
Covey was DFA'd on Thursday to make room on the roster for Ryne Stanek, but the former will remain in the Mets organization after passing through waivers unclaimed. He posted a 1.20 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in 15 innings with Philadelphia's Triple-A affiliate last season, and he could find his way back to the big leagues if he performs similarly at Syracuse.
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Tyson Miller RP | CHC
Cubs' Tyson Miller: May see less high-leverage work
With the Cubs trading for Ryan Brasier on Wednesday, per Jeff Passan of ESPN.com, and adding Caleb Thielbar, Eli Morgan and Ryan Pressly earlier in the offseason, Miller may see less high-leverage work in 2025.
Porter Hodge was closing games for the Cubs at the end of last season, but Miller was seeing important setup work ahead of him. The veteran Pressly now figures to get the first shot at the closer role, which would presumably push Hodge into eighth-inning work. Brasier, Morgan and Thielbar are also all experienced relievers with successful track records, giving manager Craig Counsell some options to choose from toward the end of games. Miller was effective for the Cubs in 2024, posting a 2.15 ERA across 50.1 innings of relief, so he figures to still have a key role even with the added competition, though he may get knocked down a few rungs in the bullpen.
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Matt Festa RP | CHC
Rangers' Matt Festa: Back with Texas as NRI
The Rangers signed Festa to a minor-league contract Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Festa was traded from the Rangers to the Cubs in January before electing free agency following his removal from Chicago's 40-man roster. Now he's back in Texas, where he posted a 4.37 ERA and 23:7 K:BB over 22.2 innings covering 18 appearances last season.
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Jesus Tinoco RP | MIA
Marlins' Jesus Tinoco: In saves mix heading into camp
Tinoco will compete with Calvin Faucher for the Marlins' closer job this spring, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports.
Faucher took over the job last August and proceeded to convert six straight save chances before blowing one against the Nationals on Sept. 4 and subsequently landing on the IL with a shoulder impingement that ended his season. In his absence, Tinoco got a look in the ninth inning and performed fairly well, going 3-for-4 in his September save chances with a 2.61 ERA, 0.68 WHIP and 8:1 K:BB over 10.1 innings. Faucher will likely get the first chance to secure the role, but if he stumbles early, Tinoco figures to be the next man up once again. Southpaw Andrew Nardi (elbow) could also be in the saves mix if he shows that he's healthy and can regain his 2023 form.
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Calvin Faucher RP | MIA
Marlins' Calvin Faucher: Could be favorite to close
Faucher will head into spring training as the favorite to close for the Marlins, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports.
The 29-year-old right-hander took over the closer role in early August last season and recorded six saves in eight chances, finishing the year with a 3.19 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and solid 26.8 percent strikeout rate, but he missed most of September with a shoulder impingement. In his absence, Jesus Tinoco went 3-for-4 in save chances over the final weeks of the campaign, and Tinoco likely represents Faucher's biggest competition for ninth-inning work. Southpaw Andrew Nardi (elbow) could also be in the saves mix if he shows that he's healthy and can regain his 2023 form.
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Owen White RP | NYY
Yankees' Owen White: Scooped up by NYY
The Yankees claimed White off waivers from the Reds on Wednesday.
White struggled at Triple-A Round Rock in the Rangers organization last season, posting a 5.64 ERA and 1.57 WHIP across 99 innings. He's just 25 and formerly a top prospect, though, so the Yankees felt he was worth a waiver claim. The righty is likely headed to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to begin the 2025 season.
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Rob Zastryzny RP | CHC
Cubs' Rob Zastryzny: Jettisoned from 40-man
The Cubs designated Zastryzny for assignment Tuesday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.
The 32-year-old lefty will end up as the odd man out of a 40-man roster spot in order to make room for Ryan Brasier, who was acquired from the Dodgers on Tuesday. Zastryzny appeared in nine games for the Brewers last year, surrendering just one earned run in 7.2 innings before elbow tendinitis cut his season short in late July. He also finished the Triple-A season with a 3.03 ERA across 29.2 frames, so teams looking for bullpen help may be willing to take a flier on him.