MLB Player News

With David Robertson now with the White Sox, the Yankees have a big vacancy to fill at closer. The two leading candidates for the job are newcomer Andrew Miller and setup man Dellin Betances, but Betances indicated Wednesday he is not worried about what role he will have in 2015.

“I haven’t put too much mind into it. There’s people that have mentioned it,” Betances said, per NJ.com. “For me, I’m just going to try to do the same thing, whether it’s the seventh, eighth or ninth. I’m just going to try to take the same approach I did last year and not try to make too big a deal about who gets that job.”

The former top-100 prospect was a breakout player in 2014. The right-hander went 5-0 with a 1.40 ERA, one save and 22 holds in a career-high 70 appearances last season. He made the All-Star team, as well as struck out 135 batters in 90 innings.

Rays pitcher Matt Moore is targeting a June return, according to MLB.com.

Moore underwent Tommy John surgery last season, but was able to throw off a mound for the first time on Tuesday. Moore said he's hoping he can return to a major-league mound in June. "I hope June, [to pitch] in a Major League game, he said. "I think that's about right -- 14 months [after the surgery]. So we should know a lot more in the next month as I start to get on the hill and things have a chance to respond."

Moore started just two games last season before undergoing surgery.

Rays pitcher Matt Moore took a significant step forward in his receovery from Tommy John surgery when he threw off a mound Tuesday, reports the Tampa Bay Times.

"It felt pretty good," Moore said.

Moore had the surgery in April and said he is pleased with the progress he has made.

"I would have thought a while ago I would have been nervous, but I was looking forward to it," Moore said. "And I felt like I had a lot more that could have come out. That's a feeling I've had the last month or so, and that's a feeling I like to have. I think we're in a good spot right now."

The White Sox announced Thursday they signed 15 players to minor-league contracts, which included invites to spring training.

The 15 players were pitchers Jairo Asencio, Scott Carroll, Jesse Crain, Logan Kensing, Arcenio Leon, J.D. Martin, Brad Penny, Zach Phillips, Joe Savery, catchers George Kottaras and Geovany Soto, infielders Juan Diaz and Andy LaRoche, and outfielders Tony Campana and Michael Taylor. 

With the addition of Yovani Gallardo, there is one less spot open in the Rangers' rotation. Derek Holland, Yu Darvish and Colby Lewis are also expected to be in the rotation, therefore the last spot could go to either Ross Detwiler, Nick Martinez, Nick Tepesch or Lisalverto Bonilla, per MLB.com.

"There is definitely a spot open," pitching coach Mike Maddux said. "You have to seize the opportunity. Nobody is given a job and once you earn a job, you still have to earn the right to stay here."

The Indians have reached on-year agreements with reliever Bryan Shaw and starter Josh Tomlin on Friday, avoiding arbitration. Shaw has settled for $1.55 million, while Tomlin settled for $1.5 million, per MLB.com.

The Royals announced a couple of roster moves on Friday, per the team's official website. The team announced they signed right-hander Louis Coleman and left-hander Tim Collins to one-year contracts, avoiding arbitration with both players. According to the Kansas City Star, Collins signed for $1.475 million, and Coleman signed for $725,000.

The Angels have avoided arbitration with pitcher Hector Santiago, confirms CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman. The agreement was initially reported by MLB.com.

Santiago is set to receive $2.29 million next season. The 27-year-old is coming off a season in which he posted a 3.75 ERA over 127 1/3 innings. 

Rays starting pitcher Matt Moore, who underwent Tommy John surgery in April, will start throwing off a mound the last week of January, according to the Tampa Bay Times. He continues to target June for his return to the majors.

Moore won 17 games in 2013 before being limited to two starts in 2014. He is 29-17 with a 3.53 ERA in 63 career outings (61 starts).

The Yankees acquired reliever Chris Martin from the Rockies on Tuesday. The Rockies will receive cash considerations.

The 28-year-old Martin made his MLB debut in 2014, posting a 6.89 ERA and 1.66 WHIP in 16 relief outings.

In order to clear a spot on the 40-man roster, the Yankees designated reliever Gonzalez Germen for assignment.