MLB Player News

Tate (shoulder) joined Baltimore's 40-man roster Tuesday.

The Orioles snagged Tate near the end of July from the Yankees in the Zach Britton deal, but his season ended early due to shoulder soreness. He'll be protected from the Rule 5 draft following his placement on the 40-man and should be ready to go for the start of spring training.

Lakins was added to the 40-man roster by Boston on Tuesday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Lakins is now protected from the Rule 5 draft. He reached Triple-A Pawtucket last season, making 10 relief appearances and recording a 1.65 ERA and 15 strikeouts through 16 frames.

Tapia signed a minor-league contract with the Red Sox on Tuesday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

It's unclear if the deal includes an invitation to spring training, but either way, Tapia seems more likely to serve as organizational bullpen depth in 2019. The 27-year-old, who has yet to reach the majors, spent the majority of the 2018 campaign with Triple-A Louisville, posting a 3.43 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 45:26 K:BB across 63 innings.

Swanson had his contract purchased from Triple-A Tacoma on Tuesday.

Swanson, one of three players acquired from the Yankees in exchange for James Paxton, was added to the Mariners' 40-man roster in advance of the Rule 5 draft. The 25-year-old posted a combined 2.66 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 139:29 K:BB across 121.2 innings with Double-A Trenton and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in 2018. With his move to Seattle, Swanson will be a candidate to start for the Mariners at some point in 2019.

Staumont was added to the 40-man roster Tuesday, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

The Royals have selected Staumont's contract in an effort to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. He's yet to make his big-league debut but reached Triple-A Omaha in each of the last two seasons and posted a 3.51 ERA along with a 1.50 WHIP and 103 strikeouts over 74 innings in 2018.

Swanson was traded from the Yankees to the Mariners on Monday along with Justus Sheffield and Don Thompson-Williams in exchange for James Paxton, Corey Brock of The Athletic reports.

Swanson, a 25-year-old right-hander who has yet to debut in the majors, is the least exciting minor-leaguer headed to Seattle in Monday's blockbuster deal, although he could be the first to play in the big leagues for the Mariners. He spent the bulk of the 2018 season between Double-A Trenton and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, posting a combined 2.66 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 139:29 K:BBB across 121.2 innings (24 appearances, 22 starts). This trade boosts his stock in dynasty leagues, as he was not going to get much of a look as a starter for the Yankees, whereas the Mariners should have no trouble giving him starts early in the 2019 season.

Hu was traded to the Indians from the Rays in exchange for infielder Gionti Turner on Monday.

The 25-year-old spent much of the season with the Rays' Triple-A affiliate, producing a 4.66 ERA and a 92:28 K:BB in 102 innings split between 19 starts and five relief appearances. He also has 23 innings of major-league experience under his belt from the past two seasons, allowing nine runs with a 21:7 K:BB in that span. Hu figures to be in the mix for a bullpen spot with his new club, though he does have an option remaining if Cleveland bolsters its bullpen more with veteran arms.

Thornton was traded from the Astros to the Blue Jays in exchange for Aledmys Diaz on Saturday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Thornton has yet to make his major-league debut after spending four seasons in the minors. He posted a 4.42 ERA and 1.20 WHIP with 122 strikeouts over 124 innings with Triple-A Round Rock in 2018 and figures to have a shot to win a spot in Toronto's starting rotation next spring.

Weiss signed a minor-league deal with the Twins on Friday, Brandon Warne of Zone Coverage reports.

Weiss was released by Cincinnati in early September after spending the past six years in the organization. He only made one big-league appearance during that time -- in April of 2018 -- during which he gave up four earned runs on two hits (two home runs) and two walks while failing to record an out. Weiss spent a majority of this past season at Triple-A, and he will likely report to Minnesota's Triple-A club this coming spring.

Merritt signed a minor-league contract with the Rays on Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Merritt pitched in only 15 games for Triple-A Columbus in 2018 as he dealt with a shoulder issue, and was jettisoned off the Indians' 40-man roster in July at the conclusion of his rehab assignment due to a worrying drop in velocity. The 26-year-old lefty had a 1.71 ERA and 1.14 WHIP over 31.2 innings with Cleveland between 2016-17, and does have some upside for Tampa Bay should he remain healthy and rediscover his previous form.