MLB Player News

Carasiti (elbow) signed a minor-league contract with the Giants on Thursday.

Carasiti joined the Red Sox on a minor-league deal last year but spent the entire season on the injured list after he underwent Tommy John surgery in March of 2020. It's not yet clear when he'll be ready to pitch, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him invited to major-league spring training in 2022 if he's healthy by then.

Tonkin signed a minor-league contract with Atlanta on Jan. 11.

Tonkin has thrown 146.1 innings at the highest level, posting a 4.43 ERA. The last of those came back in 2017, however. Since then, he's spent time pitching in Japan, Mexico and the independent Atlantic League, where he recorded an 0.53 ERA and a 21:5 K:BB last season in 17 innings as a member of the Long Island Ducks.

Palumbo (undisclosed) signed a minor-league contract with the Giants on Thursday, Chris Hilburn-Trenkle of Baseball America reports.

Palumbo was claimed off waivers by the Giants on Nov. 5, only to be non-tendered by the club 25 days later. Now back for a second stint with the team, he'll have to prove that he's healthy after being limited to only 6.2 innings in 2021 due to an undisclosed injury.

Williams said Wednesday in an interview with Will Sammon of The Athletic that he expects to be fully healthy for the start of spring training after undergoing right hand surgery in early October.

Williams' interview marked the first time he spoke to the media since he fractured his hand Sept. 26 after punching a wall while celebrating the Brewers' division title. The untimely incident kept Williams from pitching in the second straight postseason, after he was sidelined late in 2020 due to a shoulder injury. The shoulder issue lingered into this past spring and had a hand in Williams' early-season struggles, but before fracturing his hand, the right-handed setup man looked to have rediscovered the form that made him the National League's Rookie of the Year. Over his final 25.2 innings, Williams posted a 1.40 ERA and 41 strikeouts, offering hope that he'll be able to enter 2022 with some confidence, provided he continues to progress well in his recovery from hand surgery. Williams resumed throwing and lifting weights just before Thanksgiving, and he should gradually ramp up the intensity of his workouts as spring training approaches.

Blach signed a minor-league contract with the Rockies on Friday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Blach pitched in the majors from 2016 to 2019, recording a 4.99 ERA while striking out just 12.7 percent of opposing batters. He missed most of the last two seasons due to Tommy John surgery, returning last in the year to throw 22 rehab innings in the lower minors. His past major-league experience gives him a shot at claiming a roster spot, but he's unlikely to provide much fantasy value even when pitching away from Coors Field.

Gonsalves signed a minor-league deal with the Cubs in early December.

Gonsalves threw just 4.1 MLB innings in 2021, giving up two runs. His previous experience at the highest level saw him struggle to a 6.57 ERA and a 16:22 K:BB over 24.2 frames for the Twins back in 2018. He wasn't particularly impressive for Triple-A Worcester in the Red Sox's system last season, either, though his 4.68 ERA did at least come with a 31.2 percent strikeout rate.

Leiter signed a minor-league contract with the Cubs on Wednesday.

Leiter owns an unimpressive 5.53 ERA in 114 major-league innings, the last of which came back in 2018. The 30-year-old spent the 2021 season in the Tigers' system, where he cruised to a 3.34 ERA and an impressive 30.5 percent strikeout rate in 15 starts and two relief appearances for Triple-A Toledo.

Kelly signed with the Phillies as a non-roster invitee Tuesday.

Kelly, a 29-year-old righty, has yet to make his major-league debut. He threw 44.2 innings for Triple-A Sugar Land in 2021, cruising to a 2.82 ERA, but a player his age looking good against minor-league hitters isn't something to get too excited about.

Cyr joined the Phillies as a non-roster invitee Tuesday.

Cyr is a 28-year-old reliever who's yet to make his big-league debut. His 4.91 ERA with Triple-A Sacramento in the Giants' system last season is unimpressive, though it did at least come with a 31.6 percent strikeout rate.

Bellatti joined the Phillies as a non-roster invitee Tuesday.

Bellatti tossed 3.1 innings for the Marlins last season, giving up five earned runs. His numbers in 29.2 innings at the Triple-A level were far more encouraging, as he cruised to a 1.52 ERA while striking out 33.0 percent of opposing batters, but it's tough to get too excited about a 29-year-old dominating minor-league bats.