The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed right-hander Wily Peralta to a minor-league deal. The deal includes an invitation to big-league spring training. The veteran didn't appear in the big leagues at all in the 2023 season after signing a minor-league deal with the Washington Nationals, a little surprising considering he worked to a healthy 2.93 ERA across 47 appearances (19 starts) spanning 132 innings with the Detroit Tigers from 2021-2022. However, he vastly out-pitched his peripherals in that time as he also posted a 4.93 xFIP, 5.15 SIERA, and a very weak 4.9% K-BB% as a member of the Tigers, suggesting regression was a near certainty moving forward. His likeliest path to a roster spot with the Pirates would be as a long reliever who can also make a spot start for the club in 2024.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have designated outfielder Canaan Smith-Njigba for assignment in order to make 40-man roster space for reliever Aroldis Chapman, whose one-year, $10.5 million deal has become official. The 24-year-old appeared in just 15 games for the Bucs in the 2023 season, hitting just .125 with one stolen base, five RBI, and a big-time 43.2% K% across a small 37-plate-appearance sample size. He spent the bulk of the season at Triple-A where he hit a solid .280 with 15 home runs, 21 SB, and an .839 OPS across 105 games, production which graded out to 10% above the Triple-A average, as per his 110 wRC+. Smith-Njigba can either be traded or placed on outright or unconditional release waivers within the next seven days.

Free-agent left-hander Wandy Peralta and the San Diego Padres agreed to a four-year, $16.5 million deal on Wednesday that includes three opt-outs, according to sources. The deal is still pending a physical. Peralta got a bit lucky last year with the New York Yankees, posting a 2.83 ERA (5.05 FIP) and 1.22 WHIP with four saves, 30 walks and 51 strikeouts in 54 innings over 63 appearances out of the Yankees' bullpen. If Peralta wants to keep an ERA under 3.00 for the third straight season in 2024, the 32-year-old is going to need to show better control of his pitches. The veteran southpaw has a career strikeout rate of under 20 percent as well, so he relies on a high ground-ball rate to have success. Peralta will handle high-leverage relief innings in San Diego but probably won't see many save chances.

The Seattle Mariners and free-agent second baseman Nick Solak reportedly signed a minor-league contract Tuesday, per FanSided.com's Robert Murray. The deal includes an invite to spring training. The 29-year-old only appeared in two big-league games in 2023 but had his best stint with Triple-A Gwinnett, where he slashed .272/.364/.444 in 173 plate appearances. At this point, Solak has a long way to go before meriting fantasy attention.

SNY's Andy Martino said Tuesday that the New York Mets could consider signing free-agent starting pitcher Brandon Woodruff (shoulder), although nothing is close to being finalized between the two sides. The 30-year-old, who underwent right shoulder surgery in 2023, may not pitch at all in 2024 but is likely looking for a two-year deal. Woodruff has been a high-end starter throughout his career when healthy and went 5-1 in 11 starts and 67 innings pitched in 2023 with a 2.28 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, and 29.2% strikeout rate. Woodruff has spent his entire seven-year career with the Brewers, coinciding with Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns' time as the Brewers' general manager.