Trending
The Associated Press
SEATTLE -- There will be another member of the Smith-Njigba family playing for a Seattle team after the Mariners claimed outfielder Canaan Smith-Njigba off waivers on Wednesday.
The brother of wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba of the Seattle Seahawks had previously played in the Pittsburgh organization and appeared in 15 games across two stints with the Pirates last season. In 105 games at Triple-A Indianapolis, Smith-Njigba hit .280 with 28 doubles, 15 home runs and 74 RBIs.
Smith-Njigba was originally a fourth-round pick in the 2017 amateur draft by the New York Yankees. He made his major league debut with the Pirates in 2022 and appeared in three games that season.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba had 63 receptions for 628 yards and four touchdowns in his rookie season with the Seahawks.
The Mariners waived right-handed pitcher Darren McCaughan to clear a 40-man spot for Smith-Njigba.
Houston Astros
HOUSTON -- Ten months from free agency, Jose Altuve knew what he wanted. He says: "Houston is my home." He achieved his goal to remain with the Astros, agreeing to a contract that will pay $125 million from 2025-29, when he will be 39.
An eight-time All-Star, two-time World Series champion and the 2017 AL MVP, Altuve had started to discuss free agency last year with wife Nina.
Houston Mayor John Whitmire declared Wednesday Jose Altuve Day, with the date, 2/7, matching Altuve's jersey number. More than a dozen of Altuve's teammates and coaches attended the news conference.
Just 5-foot-6. Altuve is among the shortest big leaguers. He went to an Astros tryout and was sent home without a contract but returned the next day at the urging of his father. He signed for $15,000 as a 16-year old in 2007.
New York Mets
NEW YORK -- Jake Diekman and the New York Mets have finalized a $4 million, one-year contract that includes a club option.
New York holds a $4 million option for 2025 that becomes guaranteed if the left-handed reliever pitches in at least 58 games this year. The sides agreed to terms last week, subject to a successful physical.
The 37-year-old Diekman went 0-2 with a 3.34 ERA in 63 relief appearances for the White Sox and Rays last season. He also has pitched for Philadelphia, Texas, Arizona, Kansas City, Oakland and Boston.
Milwaukee Brewers
MILWAUKEE -- Right-hander Jakob Junis and the Milwaukee Brewers finalized a one-year contract that includes a mutual option for 2025.
Junis, 31, went 4-3 with a career-best 3.87 ERA in four starts and 36 relief appearances for San Francisco last season, He is 38-45 with a 4.64 ERA in 110 starts and 57 relief appearances over seven seasons with Kansas City and the Giants.
Junis is another option for the defending NL Central champion Brewers as they retool their rotation after trading 2021 Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes to Baltimore and allowing two-time All-Star Brandon Woodruff to become a free agent.