The San Diego Padres have signed left-hander Austin Davis to a minor-league deal. The 30-year-old signed a minors pact with the Astros ahead of the 2023 season but was shelled for a ghastly 11.22 ERA alongside an eye-popping 25.9% BB% across 20 appearances before being released in late June. A former 12th-round pick of the Phillies, Davis' last MLB action came in 2022 when he posted a 5.79 ERA across 52 appearances between the Red Sox and Twins. He owns a career 5.61 ERA across 136 innings of work with the Pirates in addition to his time with the Phillies, Red Sox, and Twins.

The Arizona Diamondbacks have signed left-handed reliever Brandon Hughes to a minor-league deal and will bring him to spring training as a non-roster invitee. Hughes was a key member of the Cubs' bullpen in his debut season in 2022, posting a 3.12 ERA across 57 innings of work, even locking down eight saves in that time. However, a knee injury cost him much of the 2023 season and he posted a 7.24 ERA in 13 2/3 innings last season before the club non-tendered him this winter. It's a low-risk flier for the D-backs as Hughes posted excellent ERA figures throughout his minor-league career and only struggled following a procedure on his knee. He could be a left-handed factor for the reigning NL champs in 2024.

The Houston Astros have designated right-hander Declan Cronin for assignment in order to clear a 40-man roster spot for outfielder Trey Cabbage, who the club acquired via trade earlier on Wednesday from the Los Angeles Angels. It's the second time this offseason Cronin has been DFA'd, as the White Sox cut him loose in order to make room for the signing of free-agent pitcher Erick Fedde. The 26-year-old made his MLB debut in 2023, allowing 11 earned runs in as many innings with just eight strikeouts against seven walks in that time. He was far better at Triple-A, where he posted a 3.83 ERA across 47 appearances a season ago. Given his minor-league success, Cronin should receive interest from an MLB club ahead of spring training.

Free-agent relief pitcher Richard Lovelady has signed a minor-league deal with the Chicago Cubs. The 28-year-old will presumably receive an invite to big-league spring training. After three years with the Royals, Lovelady spent the 2023 campaign with the A's, working to a 4.63 ERA in 27 outings before a forearm strain suffered in July cost him the rest of his season. Lovelady worked to a rock-solid 3.48 ERA with the Royals in 2022 but sits with a 5.26 ERA across 73 outings and 65 innings of work in the big leagues. His 3.99 SIERA from 2023 is decent and he posted a palatable 14.6% K-BB% a season ago, as well. He will compete for a left-handed bullpen role with the Cubs or could serve as Triple-A bullpen depth in 2024.

The Texas Rangers have signed free-agent reliever Jonathan Holder to a minor-league deal and have invited him to big-league spring training. The 30-year-old has not appeared in the big leagues since the shortened 2020 season when he worked to a 4.98 ERA across 18 appearances with the Yankees. Holder pitched just 23 minor-league innings from 2021-2022 due to an undisclosed injury before latching on with the Angels in 2023. He spent the entire season with Triple-A Salt Lake in 2023, posting a 5.40 ERA across 46 outings, five of which were starts. The right-hander does have a pair of sub-4.00 ERA seasons on his big-league resume and sports a 4.38 career ERA across 157 appearances and 176 2/3 innings of work. He is likeliest to serve as bullpen depth for the Rangers in 2024.