The Chicago Cubs have signed right-hander Sam McWilliams to a minor-league deal. It's a redemption story for the 27-year-old who was out of baseball complete for a year and a half. He played in the Mexican Winter League and Dominican Winter League recently and garnered interest from big-league teams as he tossed a 3.55 ERA across 27 outings with Monterrey in the Mexican Winter League. A former eighth-round pick of the Phillies in 2014, McWilliams has yet to make his MLB debut and owns a 4.41 ERA with 488 strikeouts and 224 walks across 154 career minor-league appearances between the Phillies, D-backs, Rays, Padres, Mets, and Reds organizations. The 6-foot-7 righty struggled mightily with his control before stepping away from the game, something to keep an eye on in spring training.

A team-by-team look at the National League East entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catchers, and the full squad: ___ Atlanta Braves Manager: Brian Snitker (sixth season). 2020: 35-25, first place, lost to Dodgers in NL Championship Series. Training Town: North Port, Florida. Park: CoolToday Park. First Workout: Feb. 18/23. He’s Here: RHP Charlie Morton, LHP Drew Smyly, RHP Carl Edwards, SS Ehire Adrianza, RHP Victor Arano. He’s Outta Here: OF Nick Markakis, OF Adam Duvall, INF Charlie Culberson, RHP Mike Foltynewicz, RHP Mark Melancon, C Tyler Flowers, RHP Shane Greene, RHP Darren O’Day, RHP Jhoulys Chacin, INF Adeiny Hechavarria, LHP Cole Hamels. Going campin’: The key offseason move was re-signing left fielder Marcell Ozuna to a four-year, $65 million deal. Morton and Smyly add experience to the rotation. The team can take a cautious approach with 2020 opening day starter Mike Soroka’s return from... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Mets have signed right-hander Sam McWilliams, who’s spent six years in the minor leagues with three other organizations. The Mets announced the one-year contract Friday. The 25-year-old will get $750,000 in the majors and $195,000 in the minors. The 6-foot-7 McWilliams was in Tampa Bay’s 60-player pool this year, He is 30-35 with a 3.85 ERA in his career, making 94 starts and 15 relief appearances. McWilliams pitched in the Philadelphia and Arizona systems before making it to Triple-A with Tampa Bay in 2019. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports