MLB Player News

Kittredge and the Rays avoided arbitration Tuesday by agreeing to a one-year, $1.85 million deal, Kiley McDaniel of ESPN.com reports.

The Rays' creative bullpen usage has the (presumably intended) side effect of suppressing salaries in arbitration, as saves still factor heavily in that system. Kittredge had an excellent year last year and was the Rays' top reliever, posting a 1.88 ERA in 71.2 innings, but he won't get a huge raise, as he only saved eight games.

Fulmer and the Tigers agreed to terms on a one-year, $4.95 million contract Tuesday, avoiding arbitration, Kiley McDaniel of ESPN.com reports.

Fulmer will get a raise of nearly $2 million in his final year of team control. That comes after a season in which he saved 14 games while posting career bests in ERA (2.97) and strikeout rate (24.6 percent).

Pivetta and the Red Sox avoided arbitration Tuesday, agreeing to a one-year, $2.65 million deal, Kiley McDaniel of ESPN.com reports.

Pivetta had something of a breakout in his first full season with Boston last year, though while he did produce a career-best ERA, his 4.53 mark was far from exceptional. That figure did come with a solidly above-average 26.5 percent strikeout rate, which gives him more fantasy value that other pitchers who prevent runs at a similarly mediocre rate.

Karinchak was scratched from his scheduled relief appearance in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Padres after experiencing arm stiffness in his throwing session earlier in the day, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

The Guardians are describing Karinchak's removal from the pitching schedule as precautionary, so he could be ready to return to game action within the next few days if the stiffness subsides. After dominating in the first three months of last season and working himself into a closer timeshare with Emmanuel Clase, Karinchak faded badly from July 1 onward, delivering a 6.53 ERA and 1.55 WHIP over his final 20.2 innings in the majors. He may need a healthy, productive spring to avoid a demotion to Triple-A Columbus once the Guardians head north for the regular season.

Brash, who started Monday's Cactus League loss to the Diamondbacks and fired two scoreless innings, is pushing to secure the Mariners' final rotation spot, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Brash got a fleeting first taste of the big leagues late last season, getting a call up from Double-A Arkansas during the final week but never appearing in a game. Despite his time with the Travelers qualifying as his highest level of professional ball yet, Brash, who allowed just a hit and a walk to the eight batters he faced Monday and flashed a 97.7 mph fastball, believes he can successfully make the jump right from the start of the campaign. The 23-year-old has yet to post an ERA higher than 2.55 in any of his five minor-league stops and also possesses an elite slider and an improving changeup in his arsenal.

De Leon (shoulder) underwent an MRI on Tuesday that revealed no structural damage to his arm, Marly Rivera of ESPN.com reports.

The clean MRI is an excellent development, albeit a somewhat unexpected one after De Leon looked to be in significant pain after spiking a pitch into the ground during a relief appearance in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers. Though he's not dealing with any fractures or ligament tears, De Leon's shoulder issue could still be problematic enough to keep him from throwing for several days, effectively ending any chance he might have had of making Toronto's Opening Day roster.

Martin and the Rangers agreed to a one-year, $1.025 million deal Tuesday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

The deal means the two sides won't have to square off in arbitration. Martin posted a 3.18 ERA in 62.1 innings of relief last season despite striking out just 15.9 percent of opposing batters.

Taylor (back) and the Red Sox agreed Tuesday on a one-year, $1.025 million contract to avoid arbitration, Kiley McDaniel of ESPN.com reports.

Though Taylor's availability for the Red Sox's April 7 season opener against the Yankees remains in flux due to a disc issue that dates back to last year, he'll at least be on the books for 2022 now that he's come to terms with Boston. He was a key lefty reliever for the Red Sox in 2021, finishing with a 3.40 ERA (2.83 FIP) across 47.2 innings spanning 61 appearances.

Hearn allowed one hit and struck out three over two scoreless innings in Monday's spring training game against the Guardians.

Hearn had an unremarkable introduction to the Rangers' starting rotation in 2021, but the lefty is penciled in as a starter this season. He looked good during his first Cactus League start Monday, but given Hearn posted a 5.82 ERA in 11 starts last season, he needs more than two good spring innings to spark interest.

Patino was scratched from his scheduled start Tuesday against the Red Sox after his arm didn't feel right Monday, John Romano of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

On the one hand, any arm injury has the potential to be problematic for a pitcher. On the other, "not feeling right" is about as vague and mild as you can get. Patino will throw batting practice Wednesday, so the Rays don't appear to be significantly concerned at this point, but it's possible he winds up getting shut down if his arm continues to feel off following that session.