MLB Player News

Banwart signed a minor league deal with the Indians on Friday that includes an invitation to spring training.

He played the past two seasons overseas and has never reached the major leagues, despite toiling in the minors for a seven-year span from 2007 to 2014. Look for him to provide organizational bullpen depth at Triple-A.

Boxberger agreed to a one-year, $1.6 million deal with the Rays on Friday, avoiding arbitration, FanRag Sports' Jon Heyman reports.

Poor health limited Boxberger to just 24.1 innings last year and he lost the closer job to Alex Colome, so it was a year to forget, and as a result he was treated to a relatively small figure in negotiations. He will enter the year as the Rays' setup man, but could start saving games again if Tampa Bay decides to flip Colome for prospects this summer.

Wilson agreed to a one-year, $2.7 million deal with the Tigers on Friday, avoiding arbitration, FanRag Sports' Jon Heyman reports.

The 29-year-old lefty posted a 4.14 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 65:17 K:BB in 58.2 innings out of the Tigers' bullpen last season. Those ratios aren't very useful, but his strikeout rate suggests he could be better in 2017 if he has better luck on balls in play (.340 BABIP last season).

Kelly agreed to a one-year deal with the Red Sox on Friday, avoiding arbitration.

The terms of the agreement were not made available. Kelly made the successful transition from starter to reliever last season and figures to occupy a mid-to-late-leverage role once again in 2017.

Putnam (elbow) signed a one-year, $1.1175 million deal with the White Sox on Friday, avoiding arbitration.

He has been rehabbing an elbow injury this offseason, and was throwing from 120 feet a week ago. Look for him to secure a middle relief role if he can enter cap healthy.

Pressly and the Twins avoided arbitration by signing a one-year, $1.175 million deal Friday, Jerry Crasnick of ESPN reports.

Pressly was leading the American league in appearances before the Twins decided to reduce his workload, so they would appear to consider him a valuable innings eater out of the bullpen. In total, he posted a 3.70 ERA in 75.1 innings while striking out 67.

Farquhar and the Rays avoided arbitration Friday with a one-year, $900,00 deal, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Farquhar had a strong season in his first year with the Rays, registering a 3.06 ERA in 35.1 innings while striking out 46. He struggled with the long ball, but that could be a single season aberration.

Shaw and the Indians avoided arbitration on Friday with a one-year, $4.6 million deal, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports.

Shaw was a valuable member of a daunting Cleveland bullpen in 2016, leading the league in appearances with 75 while posting a strong 3.24 ERA. This should be his final round of arbitration, with the 29-year-old potentially hitting free agency next offseason.

Santiago and the Twins avoided arbitration Friday with a one-year, $8 million deal, Jon Heyman of Today's Knuckleball reports.

Santiago posted career worsts in ERA, FIP, and K/9 during 2016, but still managed to negotiate a $3 million salary increase with Minnesota. He has at least delivered innings as of late, topping 180 innings in both 2015 and 2016. The 29-year-old is entering his final season before free agency.

Floro (arm) was designated for assignment on Wednesday.

The Rays needed to clear a spot on the 40-man roster, and Floro, who finished the year on DL with a sore arm, was a natural candidate. He should provided organizational relief depth this year, provided he enters camp healthy.