MLB Player News

Flynn signed a one-year contract with the Royals on Thursday, avoiding arbitration.

Flynn spent the 2018 campaign as a middle reliever for the Royals, posting a 4.04 ERA, 1.61 WHIP and 47:35 K:BB across 75.2 innings. The 28-year-old righty figures to fill a similar role in Kansas City's bullpen in 2019.

Chavez agreed to a two-year contract with the Rangers on Tuesday, Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reports.

The deal is reportedly worth around $8 million, per Passan. Chavez opened the 2018 season with Texas before being dealt to the Cubs in July. He posted a combined 2.55 ERA and 1.06 WHIP across 95.1 innings with both teams, and was especially good after joining Chicago, notching four saves while posting a 1.15 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 42:5 K:BB across 39 innings for the Cubs. While he likely won't dethrone Jose Leclerc as the Rangers' closer, Chavez will be pitching some of the team's highest-leverage innings out of the bullpen.

Moore agreed to a one-year contract with the Tigers on Tuesday, Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reports.

According to Passan, the deal -- which is still pending a physical -- guarantees Moore between $2 and $3 million dollars. The southpaw struggled in 2018, posting a 6.79 ERA, 1.66 WHIP and 7.6 K/9 across 102 innings for the Rangers. He was bounced from Texas' rotation in June after compiling an 8.02 ERA through 12 starts, though he should still get an opportunity to win a rotation spot for the pitching-starved Tigers in 2019. Moore owns a 5.22 ERA and 7.7 K/9 over the last four seasons, so he doesn't figure to carry much fantasy value regardless of his role.

Leiter was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays on Monday.

Leiter was dropped from the Blue Jays' 40-man roster in order to clear room for Oliver Drake, who was claimed off waivers from Tampa Bay in a corresponding roster move. The 27-year-old right-hander split time with the Phillies and Blue Jays in 2018, posting a combined 7.71 ERA, 2.01 WHIP and 22:12 K:BB across 23.1 innings.

Milner cleared waivers and is expected to accept his outright assignment to the minors, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Milner will likely open the 2019 campaign with Triple-A Durham (where he spent a chunk of the 2018 season), assuming he accepts his outright assignment to the Bulls. The 27-year-old split time between Triple-A and the majors last season, posting a 7.36 ERA across 7.1 major-league frames while notching a 2.88 ERA across 40.2 minor-league innings.

The Marlins will trade Peters to the Angles in exchange for Tyler Stevens, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports.

Peters was designated for assignment by Miami earlier this week as part of the Rule 5 roster crunch. He is expected to serve as rotation depth for Los Angeles and will likely ride the shuttle back and forth as needed since he's got minor-league options remaining. Across seven game (five starts) for the Marlins in 2018, he logged a 7.16 ERA and 1.77 WHIP with a 17:15 K:BB in 27.2 innings.

Milner was designated for assignment by the Rays on Tuesday.

The move comes as the Rays added numerous prospects to their 40-man roster in order to protect them from the Rule 5 draft. Milner saw only 7.1 major-league innings (14 appearances) between Philadelphia and Tampa Bay in 2018, and allowed eight runs (six earned) on five walks and nine hits, including three home runs.

Hearn was added to the Rangers' 40-man roster Tuesday.

Hearn was traded from the Pirates to the Rangers at the July trade deadline for Keone Kela and is one of the organization's top pitching prospects, so it's unsurprising to see him protected from the Rule 5 draft. The 24-year-old lefty spent the 2018 season at the Double-A level and had a 3.12 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and .198 opponent batting average with Altoona prior to the trade. He subsequently struggled with Frisco, posting a 5.04 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and .284 BAA over 25 innings.

Diaz's contract was purchased by the Blue Jays on Tuesday.

Diaz was promoted to the 40-man roster in an effort to protect him from the impending Rule 5 draft. The 22-year-old prospect hasn't pitched above High-A in his brief four-year professional career but he's experienced success within the lower levels of Toronto's farm system (2.08 ERA over 47 frames with Low-A Lansing in 2018) and appears to possess good arm talent.

Thornton's contract was purchased by Toronto on Tuesday.

With the Rule 5 draft looming, Thornton was added to the 40-man roster to ensure protection. The 25-year-old prospect made 24 starts at Triple-A Fresno last year, posting a 4.42 ERA and 1.20 WHIP with a 122:31 K:BB over 124 frames. Thornton figures to have an opportunity to battle for a spot in the starting rotation during spring training given the Blue Jays' lack of pitching depth.