Génesis Cabrera: Everything you need to know

Cabrera signed a minor-league contract with the Royals on Tuesday. Cabrera had been on the market for about a week and a half after the Phillies released him earlier this month following a brutal outing at Triple-A Lehigh Valley in which he retired just one batter while allowing eight earned runs. The right-hander made 40 appearances in the majors in 2025 across stops with four different clubs, but despite getting another opportunity in the Royals organization, Cabrera has some work to do in the minors before getting another look in the big-league bullpen. He posted a 10.38 ERA and 1.81 WHIP over 17.1 innings with Lehigh Valley prior to being cut loose.

The Phillies signed Cabrera to a minor-league contract Friday that includes an invitation to spring training, Mike Rodriguez reports. Cabrera pitched for four different teams at the big-league level in 2025, collecting a 6.54 ERA and 35:18 K:BB over 42.2 innings. The southpaw reliever held left-handed batters to a .197/.295/.394line, but righties hit a robust .333/.394/.646 off him. With fellow lefties Jose Alvarado (forearm) and Tanner Banks locks for the bullpen and Kyle Backhus also around, Cabrera is a long shot to make the Opening Day roster.

Cabrera cleared waivers Thursday and elected free agency, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports. Cabrera pitched for the Cubs, Twins, Mets and Pirates in 2025 and finished the season with a 6.54 ERA and 1.50 WHIP across 42.2 total innings -- by far the worst marks of his career. He'll likely have to settle for a minor-league contract this winter before attempting to work his way back into the big leagues in 2026.