MLB Player News

Snow agreed to a minor-league contract with Tampa Bay on Friday that includes an invitation to spring training, Marc Topkin of The Tampa Bay Times reports.

Snow spent the 2017 season with the Brewers' organization, pitching at Double-A and Triple-A, which is where he's toiled for the last seven years. The 29-year-old will provide added organizational depth for Tampa Bay during this upcoming season, but as he's never appeared in a major-league game to date, Snow will remain off the fantasy radar.

Duffey will be stretched out in spring training in order to pitch more innings, Darren Wolfson of 1500 am ESPN Twin Cities reports.

It's not clear if Duffey will be used in long relief or try to compete for a job in the starting rotation. Duffey moved to the bullpen last season after struggling as a starter in 2016, and he showed signs of improvement despite declining late in the season. He had a 2.10 ERA in his first 17 outings, but a 6.55 ERA after May 30. Duffey will likely move into a lower-profile role if he remains in relief after the Twins boosted their bullpen with the offseason additions of Addison Reed and Fernando Rodney.

Weber signed a minor-league contract with the Rays on Wednesday, Chris Cotillo of SB Nation reports.

Weber missed the majority of the 2017 campaign with a right biceps strain, which he suffered in his lone appearance for the Mariners last season. Prior to injuring himself, the 27-year-old righty earned himself a promotion to the majors thanks to an impressive 0.85 ERA and 0.76 WHIP across 31.2 innings with Triple-A Tacoma. Weber will likely open the season as organizational pitching depth, though he could work his way into contention for a roster spot with a strong spring.

Thielbar signed a minor-league contract with Detroit on Tuesday, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Thielbar last appeared in the majors with the Twins in 2015. The lefty reliever owns a 2.74 career ERA over 98.2 major-league innings. His 2016 and 2017 seasons were spent with the independent-league St. Paul Saints, where he threw 91 innings with a 2.18 ERA. The weak Tigers' pitching staff gives the 30-year-old southpaw at least an outside shot to break camp with the big-league team.

Boshers was claimed off waivers by the Astros on Monday.

Boshers will join the Astros after being designated for assignment by the Twins last week. The southpaw owns a combined 4.56 ERA across 71 innings with Minnesota over the previous two seasons. He'll look to compete for an Opening Day role as the Astros' lefty specialist.

May (elbow) has been throwing from 120 feet and hopes to throw off a mound by the end of January, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

May missed all of 2017 after suffering a torn UCL in spring training, resulting in Tommy John surgery. He resumed throwing last August and has been gradually increasing his intensity and throwing distance. He's not expected to be ready for the start of the season and could return in May.

Garton agreed to a minor-league contract with the Mariners on Friday which includes an invite to spring training.

Garton appeared in 20 major-league games split between Tampa Bay and Seattle in 2017, posting a 4.91 ERA and 1.09 WHIP with a 16:6 K:BB in 22 innings of relief. The 28-year-old will get an opportunity to claim a spot in the bullpen heading into 2018, but Triple-A Tacoma is a likelier bet.

Fulmer is expected to be given a shot to earn a spot in the starting rotation during spring training, Vinnie Duber of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

The 24-year-old right-hander made a cameo late last season and fared well in his final four starts, giving up just three runs in 17.1 innings while striking out 16 batters. But his success should be viewed with circumspection. He walked 11 batters in 18.1 innings as a starter, and a minuscule .204 BABIP is due for a correction as opponents develop a book on him. Prior to his callup to Chicago, Fulmer was tagged at Triple-A Charlotte, posting a 5.79 ERA. That suggests his unfamiliarity to major-league hitters played a role in his effectiveness. Nevertheless, there's a spot in the 2018 rotation available and he'll be given an opportunity to earn it. The question the White Sox are looking to answer is if there's a rotation spot beyond this season.

Boshers was designated for assignment by the Twins on Monday.

Boshers was dropped from the Twins' 40-man roster in order to clear room for Addison Reed, who was recently signed to a two-year contract. The southpaw split time between Triple-A Rochester and the big club last season, posting a 3.68 ERA in 14.2 innings with the Red Wings while compiling a less-impressive 4.89 ERA in 35 innings with the Twins. He'll take a spin through waivers to determine his next landing spot; he could draw some interest given his prior MLB experience.

McHugh may start the season in the bullpen or could be a trade candidate following the acquisition of Gerrit Cole, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

McHugh wasn't assured of a spot in the rotation before the Astros acquired Cole from the Pirates over the weekend. An elbow injury cost him the first half of last season, then he later missed time with a fingernail avulsion. Health will be an unknown until he gets to spring training. Given good health among the starters, Cole figures to slot in as a No. 3 or 4 starter behind Justin Verlander and Dallas Keuchel, while Lance McCullers and Charlie Morton fill out the rotation. The best-case scenario for McHugh is that he proves himself healthy and is moved at some point late in spring training.