MLB Player News

Kelly was assured by manager John Farrell that he will be in Boston's starting rotation when the 2016 season begins, the Boston Herald reports.

Kelly's finish to the 2015 season -- 8-0 with a 3.00 ERA in his last nine starts -- makes him an attractive sleeper entering 2016, but manager John Farrell is no position to be patient. If Kelly gets off to a slow start, Farrell, a manager that's guided Boston to two consecutive last-place finishes, could be forced to relegate Kelly to the bullpen or Triple-A and use one of the team's depth starters.

Chavez won his arbitration case and will make $4 million in 2016, Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com reports.

While arbitration trials aren't the best way to get on the right foot with a new team, Chavez will bring a solid back-of-the-rotation presence to a staff that needs starting depth. The $4 million salary is a $1.85 million raise from last season.

Coleman was released by the Royals on Wednesday, Rustin Dodd of the Kansas City Star reports.

After designating the 29-year-old for assignment Friday, the Royals decided that they have enough bullpen depth and can continue business without Coleman's services. He isn't a flashy pitcher, but he has been a productive bullpen arm in the past, which could make him an intriguing pickup for another team.

Colome is likely to take over the eighth inning following the Jake McGee trade, according to Mark Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Colome was stellar as a reliever last year, pitching a 44-to-7 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 40.2 innings while never allowing a home run. With a career as a starter seemingly in the rear-view mirror, the 27-year-old should be free to unleash mid-90s heat late in the game. However, the Rays have always been creative in their pitcher usage, so there's a good chance it wouldn't be a traditional set-up role, as time could be split with Xavier Cedeno, the bullpen's new top lefty..

Diekman agreed to a one-year, $1.255 million contract with the Rangers on Friday to avoid arbitration, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

Diekman struggled in his time with the Phillies before a change of scenery occurred midseason when both he and Cole Hamels were sent to Arlington and the Rangers. A strong finish to the season (2.08 ERA, 0.93 WHIP) earned him some decent pay in his first year of arbitration. While the 29-year-old southpaw should remain one of the better left-handed options out of the Rangers' bullpen, he likely won't see many (if any) save opportunities, and a 3.60 FIP certainly leaves reason to temper any expectations.

Coleman was designated for assignment Friday.

With the Royals' signing of Ian Kennedy becoming official Friday, the move to DFA Coleman simply frees up a spot on the 40-man roster. Coleman, who enjoyed success last season at Triple-A Omaha, will likely begin 2016 in the minors, but he could work his way into an ancillary bullpen role for Kansas City at some point later in the year.

Pressly will enter spring training with a chance for a high-profile role in the Minnesota bullpen, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. "I don't think people realize how well (Pressly) was throwing the ball before he got hurt (strained latissimus) last year, and now he's healthy," Molitor said.

Pressly showed promise in the bullpen with a 94.2 average mph fastball and a decent 7.1 K/9 last season. A strained right lat muscle injury ended his season in early August, but it sounds like he'll be fully healthy heading into spring training. He could be among the top setup men for Glen Perkins along with Kevin Jepsen, Trevor May and Casey Fien.

Chapman will not face criminal charges in relation to an Oct. 30 domestic dispute at his home in Davie, Florida, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports.

While prosecutors have opted against filing charges, punishment from Major League Baseball remains a very real possibility for Chapman. According to a police report, Chapman admitted that he fired eight shots into a wall and window while locked in a his garage after the initial dispute with his girlfriend. MLB's new domestic violence policy allows commissioner Rob Manfred to impose discipline even if there is not a criminal conviction. Speaking on the topic Thursday, Manfred said, "When you have a new policy, the first ones take on a special significance in terms of tone and precedent and all those things. I'm going to be sure that I know everything I could possibly know about each of these cases before I make any decisions." Manager Joe Girardi said last week that Chapman will enter spring training as the Yankees' closer.

Rodriguez agreed to a one-year, $1.05 million deal with the Athletics on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The 31-year-old right hander made 56 relief appearances in 2015, posting a 3.84 ERA to go with an impressive 10.0 K/9 rate with the Athletics. In all likelihood, Rodriguez will again serve as a reliable middle reliever for Oakland who can get both right and left-handed batters out, as evidenced by his .217 BA-against by right-handed batters and a .174 against lefties.

Putnam agreed to a one-year, $975K deal with the White Sox on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Doug Padilla of ESPN Chicago reports.

After shutting down opposing batters in 2014 with a 1.98 ERA to go with a 1.079 WHIP in 2014, Putnam came back to earth last season with more pedestrian numbers (4.07 ERA, 1.356 WHIP) in the same amount of appearances. He saw the bulk of his appearances in the eighth inning last season, but he made several middle-relief and low-leverage outings towards the end of the season.