MLB Player News
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Evan Phillips RP | LAD
Dodgers' Evan Phillips: Should be ready for spring
President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said Tuesday that Phillips (arm/shoulder) is feeling "fine" and should be ready to go for spring training, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Phillips dealt with arm fatigue during Game 6 of the NLCS and was left off the Dodgers' World Series roster as a result. He hasn't started up a throwing program since then, but it appears the team isn't concerned about his availability for the start of spring training and Opening Day. The 30-year-old righty turned in a 3.62 ERA and 1.19 WHIP across 54.2 innings in 2024 -- his worst regular-season line since joining the Dodgers in 2021 -- but he figures to continue seeing regular high-leverage opportunities in 2025.
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Ryan Vilade LF | DET
Cardinals' Ryan Vilade: NRI deal with St. Louis
The Cardinals signed Vilade to a minor-league contract Tuesday that includes an invitation to spring training.
Vilade saw limited action with the Tigers in 2024, producing a .453 OPS in 17 games. He spent most of the year at Triple-A Toledo, slashing .278/.346/.449 with 13 homers and 20 stolen bases. Slated to turn 26 in February, Vilade saw starts at every position but shortstop, catcher and pitcher with Toledo.
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Alexander Ramirez LF | NYM
Mets' Alex Ramirez: Re-ups with Mets
The Mets re-signed Ramirez to a minor-league contract Monday, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.
Ramirez was non-tendered by the Mets last month but will remain in the organization on a minor-league pact. The outfielder hasn't progressed as the Mets had hoped, most recently slashing just .210/.291/.299 in 2024 at Double-A Binghamton, but he'll turn just 22 in January.
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Grant Hartwig RP | NYM
Mets' Grant Hartwig: Back with Mets as NRI
The Mets signed Hartwig to a minor-league contract Monday that includes an invitation to spring training, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.
Hartwig was recently non-tendered by the Mets but winds up remaining in the organization. Slated to turn 27 later this month, Hartwig missed a large portion of the 2024 season due to left meniscus surgery, although he returned late in the year. The righty reliever made 28 appearances for the Mets in 2023, collecting a 4.84 ERA and 30:15 K:BB over 35.1 frames.
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Matthew Boyd SP | CLE
Cubs' Matthew Boyd: Inks $29 million contract with Cubs
The Cubs signed Boyd to a two-year, $29 million contract Monday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
He can earn an additional $1 million in incentives. Boyd didn't sign with the Guardians until June of this past season following rehab from Tommy John surgery but went on to collect a 2.72 ERA and 46:13 K:BB in 39.2 regular-season innings. He then added 12 frames of one-run ball in the postseason. Boyd -- who turns 34 in February -- hasn't made more than 15 regular-season starts since the 2019 campaign.
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Frankie Montas SP | MIL
Mets' Frankie Montas: Two-year, $34M deal with Mets
The Mets signed Montas to a two-year, $34 million contract Sunday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
The deal includes an opt out after the 2025 season. Montas held a 4.80 ERA over 30 regular-season starts between the Reds and Brewers in 2024, although he was much better after being sent to Milwaukee in a trade with a 70:25 K:BB across 57.1 innings. The right-hander will turn 32 in March and will fill one of multiple openings in the Mets' rotation.
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Connor Gillispie RP | ATL
Braves' Connor Gillispie: Signs with Atlanta
Gillispie signed a one-year deal with Atlanta on Friday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.
Gillispie spent most of the 2024 regular-season with Triple-A Columbus, and over 27 games (including 15 starts) he went 5-7 with a 4.05 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 119:48 K:BB across 113.1 innings. He did make three appearances for the Guardians during the regular season, and across eight innings of work he allowed two runs on four hits and five walks while striking out eight batters. Gillispie will have an opportunity to carve out a role for himself either in Atlanta's starting rotation or out of the bullpen as a potential long-relief option.
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Tommy Edman CF | LAD
Dodgers' Tommy Edman: Signs five-year extension
Edman signed a five-year, $74 million contract extension with the Dodgers on Friday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Edman started the 2024 regular season on the Cardinals' injured list due to lingering pain in his surgically repaired right wrist. He began his rehab assignment in early July, but before he could be activated from the IL, Edman was sent to the Dodgers at the trade deadline. He made his 2024 regular-season debut with the Dodgers in mid-August, and his versatility to play both in the infield and center field played a key role in the Dodgers' World Series run, during which he was named MVP of the NLCS against the Mets. He finished the postseason with a slash line of .328/.354/.508 with five stolen bases, two home runs and 13 RBI across 67 plate appearances.
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Max Stassi C | CHW
Giants' Max Stassi: Inks minors deal with San Francisco
The Giants signed Stassi (hip) to a minor-league contract Nov. 19.
Stassi became a free agent earlier this month when the White Sox declined his 2025 option, but he's quickly latched on with a new organization. The veteran catcher had left hip surgery in June and it's not clear whether he will be healthy for the start of spring training. Regardless, Stassi is likely to begin the season at Triple-A Sacramento, as the Giants are set at catcher with Patrick Bailey and Tom Murphy.
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Brooks Kriske RP | BAL
Cubs' Brooks Kriske: Links up with Cubs
The Cubs signed Kriske to a minor-league contract Tuesday, the pitcher announced on his X account.
Kriske, who turns 31 in February, spent the 2024 season at the Triple-A level split between the Yankees and Orioles organizations, holding a 3.39 ERA and 81:35 K:BB over 58.1 frames. The righty reliever has been roughed up in 20 major-league appearances, posting an 11.22 ERA and 25:17 K:BB across 21.2 innings.