MLB Player News

New Rangers manager Chris Woodward told TR Sullivan of MLB.com that Leclerc "might be more a two- or three-inning guy, that can pitch some significant innings for us that gives us more a chance to win more games."

Woodward used the word "creative" multiple times to describe how he will approach handling his pitching staff in 2019, and added that he will have to "maximize every guy that we have." Leclerc was excellent after taking over as the Rangers' closer last season, posting a 29:6 K:BB while going 12-for-12 in save opportunities over his final 18 innings (all scoreless). We still like Leclerc's chances of being the primary closer, but he may pitch more in the seventh and eighth, and perhaps even occasionally as an opener, when the situation calls for it.

Honeywell (elbow) is expected to return to pitch for a Rays' minor-league affiliate sometime in May or June, Juan Toribio of The Athletic reports.

The team isn't giving a precise timeline at this point, but Honeywell seems to be more of less on the typical timeline following Tommy John surgery in February. The 23-year-old is yet to make his big-league debut but seemed to be on the verge of doing that when he suffered his elbow injury. If he looks good in the minors, it may not be long before he's up in the big leagues, though his workload will be monitored very closely throughout his first year back.

Garcia was traded from the Phillies to the Angels on Thursday in exchange for Jose Alvarez, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Garcia struggled out of the bullpen for the Phillies in 2018, posting a 6.07 ERA and 1.46 WHIP with 51 strikeouts over 46 innings. Despite his woes, the 31-year-old possesses a lively fastball and will look for a fresh start with the Angels in 2019.

Fulmer is set to meet Wednesday with Dr. James Andrews for a follow-up visit regarding his surgically repaired knee before beginning his rehab at the Tigers' spring-training complex, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

For the second time in five years, Fulmer required surgery -- Sept. 20 to address a balky right knee, with Andrews repairing the right-hander's damaged meniscus and cleaning up some frayed cartilage. Andrews also performed a modified micro-fracture procedure to stimulate blood flow to the knee, which leaves Fulmer hopeful he'll be back to full strength when pitchers and catchers report for spring training Feb. 12. Given that Fulmer's surgery was slightly more extensive than initially believed, it doesn't look like nearly as much of a lock as it once did that he'll be on the mound when workouts get underway, but his availability for the start of the season shouldn't be seriously threatened. Since taking home American League Rookie of the Year honors in 2016, Fulmer has seen both his ERA and WHIP decline in the subsequent two campaigns.

Montero (elbow) signed a minor-league contract with the Rangers on Tuesday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Montero missed the entire 2018 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in late March. The 28-year-old is unlikely to be ready for Opening Day, though a return date in May or June remains possible. Montero appeared in 34 games for the Mets in 2017 and posted a 5.52 ERA, 1.75 WHIP and 114:67 K:BB over 119 innings.

Machado signed a minor-league contract with the Royals on Monday.

As expected, the right-hander will re-sign with Kansas City after the team declined to tender him a contract before Friday's deadline. Machado split last season between Double-A Northwest Arkansas and Triple-A Omaha, producing a 5.53 ERA and a 72:38 K:BB in 83 innings of work. He figures to act as organizational depth for the Royals.

Hendriks signed a one-year, $2.15 million fully guaranteed deal with Oakland on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reports.

Hendriks will be arbitration eligible for one more season before hitting the free-agent market. The 29-year-old appeared in 25 games and made eight "starts" -- which doesn't include taking the mound for the AL Wild Card Game in the Bronx -- this past year, logging a 4.13 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 8.2 K/9 across 24 innings. He finished the regular season strong and will be a vital cog in the Athletics' bullpen in 2019.

Leiter cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Buffalo, Mike Wilner of Sportsnet 590 The Fan reports.

The Blue Jays needed to clear a spot for Oliver Drake, who they claimed off waivers. Leiter is a low-end reliever who will serve as organizational depth in 2019.

Colome was traded to the White Sox from Seattle on Friday in exchange for Omar Narvaez.

Colome began this past season as Tampa Bay's closer before getting shipped to Seattle in late May. He wound up serving as Edwin Diaz's setup man, logging a 2.53 ERA and 1.04 WHIP with 49 strikeouts in 46.1 innings with the Mariners. The soon-to-be 30-year-old was able to bounce back from a rough 2017 campaign in which his walk rate (3.1 BB/9) and strikeout rate (7.8 K/9) each took a negative turn. Looking ahead, Colome will have the opportunity to step back into the ninth-inning role for the White Sox during this upcoming season after registering a total of 96 saves in 110 chances since the start of 2016. He will be under club control for two more seasons before becoming a free agent.

Coleman signed a minor-league deal with the Tigers.

The 32-year-old righty was recently cast off the 40-man roster but will return to Detroit in hopes of re-earning his spot in the majors. He logged a 3.51 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 41 strikeouts in 51.1 innings in 2018, but the Tigers will likely be looking to give more opportunities to their younger bullpen arms.