MLB Player News

The Tigers claimed Sweet off waivers from the Giants on Thursday.

Sweet has done some bouncing around since last August, going from the Mariners to the Athletics to the Giants and now to the Tigers via waivers. The 27-year-old reliever held a 10.38 ERA in seven appearances during 2023 in his first taste of the majors, but he posted a 2.25 ERA and 57:11 K:BB over 44 frames in the minors last season. He'll look to fill a middle relief role in Detroit.

Voth signed a one-year, $1.25 million contract with the Mariners on Wednesday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

The 31-year-old's contract includes a potential additional year of team control in 2025. Voth collected a 5.19 ERA and 34:15 K:BB over 34.2 innings in 2023 with the Orioles. He was used exclusively in relief last season during his time in the majors but has plenty of past starting experience and could operate in a swingman or long-relief role in Seattle.

The Rangers acquired Duarte (shoulder) from the Reds on Tuesday in exchange for cash considerations.

Duarte had been designated for assignment by Cincinnati but will now go back on a 40-man roster as he joins the Texas organization. The 27-year-old holds a 4.19 ERA and 25:23 K:BB over 34.1 innings at the major-league level over the last two seasons. Duarte ended last season on the injured list with a shoulder issue, and it's not clear what his current health status is.

Krehbiel signed a minor-league contract with the Mariners on Tuesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Krehbiel, 31, holds a 3.65 ERA and 57:27 K:BB over 74 relief innings covering parts of four seasons at the big-league level. The right-hander spent the 2023 campaign in the Orioles organization, holding a 1.80 ERA in six appearances in the majors and a 3.89 ERA in 35 outings at Triple-A Norfolk.

Graveman is expected to miss the 2024 season after the Astros announced Tuesday that he underwent surgery last week to repair the labrum in his right shoulder.

Graveman first developed shoulder soreness toward the end of the 2023 regular season and was held out of postseason action. Discomfort returned after a period of rest and rehab, necessitating the procedure. Graveman, 33, will be entering the final year of his three-year, $24 million contract in 2024 and is set to become a free agent next offseason.

Bautista (elbow) on Tuesday wouldn't rule out the possibility of returning before the end of the 2024 season, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Bautista underwent Tommy John surgery in October, so the odds of him making it back at any point in 2024 are slim, if not non-existent. The goal remains for the reliever to be ready for the start of the 2025 season. Craig Kimbrel is slated to serve as the Orioles' closer while Bautista rehabs.

Harris signed a minor-league contract with the Twins on Friday.

Harris elected to enter free agency after being outrighted to Triple-A by the Nationals earlier in the offseason. The 30-year-old righty made his MLB debut last season, posting a 5.12 ERA and 1.76 WHIP through 19.1 frames, and he'll serve as organizational bullpen depth for the Twins.

Burke signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Rangers on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Burke struggled with the long ball in 2023, serving up 2.0 HR/9 across 59.2 frames. He had a relatively strong 17.2 K-BB%, so he could see some improvement moving forward if he can keep the ball in the yard.

Sborz signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Rangers on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Sborz posted an ugly 5.50 ERA across 52.1 innings in 2023, though that also came with just a 53.8 percent strand rate. He'll need to keep the ball in the yard to be more effective -- he served up 1.4 HR/9 -- but his 66:17 K:BB suggests there is room for improved results. Sborz figures to be a key high-leverage reliever in the Rangers' bullpen in 2024.

Hernandez (shoulder) signed a one-year, $1.2 million contract with the Rangers on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Hernandez had a shaky 2023 season, which he split almost exactly evenly between the majors and Triple-A Round Rock. His 4.3 BB/9 and 1.1 HR/9 served as a bad combination, which led to a 5.40 ERA and 1.58 WHIP while in the big leagues. Hernandez was also sidelined in the playoffs due to a shoulder injury, so his health remains in question this offseason.