MLB Player News

Frias' contract was purchased by the Diamondbacks on Friday.

One of Arizona's most talented pitching prospects, Frias has a chance to develop into a high-strikeout starter or a late-inning reliever, depending on the development of his third pitch and his command. He has never pitched above Low-A but spent the summer at the alternate training site, likely setting up an assignment to High-A or Double-A in 2021.

Payamps was designated for assignment by the Diamondbacks on Friday.

Payamps had minimal usage in the majors in 2020, and he allowed one earned run while striking out two over three relief innings. The right-hander's removal from the 40-man roster makes room for several prospects who will now be protected from the Rule 5 draft.

Bukauskas was added to the Diamondbacks' 40-man roster Friday.

Bukauskas was part of the 60-man player pool in 2020, but he failed to make his major-league debut. He'll now be protected from the Rule 5 draft due to his addition to the 40-man roster.

Thompson's contract was selected by the Padres on Friday.

The move prevents Thompson from being selected in the Rule 5 draft. Whether or not he would have been chosen is unclear, as he's only thrown 22.1 innings above Low-A ball, struggling to a 7.66 ERA and a 22:19 K:BB for High-A Lake Elsinore in 2019.

Abbott's contract was selected by the Cubs on Friday, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

The move shields the 25-year-old righty from selection in the Rule 5 draft. Abbott spent all of the 2020 season training at the Cubs' alternate camp. In 2019, he made 26 starts for Double-A Tennessee, cruising to a 3.01 ERA and a 27.8 percent strikeout rate.

Thompson's contract was purchased by the Cubs on Friday, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

He missed most of 2019 with an undisclosed injury but spent this past summer at the Cubs' alternate training site. The 6-foot-1 righty turns 26 in March, so while he has only made one start at Double-A in his career, he could get some run in the majors as a depth bullpen arm now that he is on the 40-man roster.

Rondon's contract was selected by the Cardinals on Thursday.

Rondon spent the 2020 campaign at the Cardinals' alternate training site, but he failed to make his major-league debut during the shortened season. He'll now join the 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. The 22-year-old posted a 3.21 ERA and 1.23 WHIP over 115 innings at Double-A Springfield in 2019.

Williams was announced as the National League Rookie of the Year on Monday.

Williams faced just 100 batters to win the award, but he struck out a remarkable 53 of them. He gave up just one earned run all season in 27 innings of work, holding opposing hitters to a .089 batting average. The righty earned 14 out of 30 first-place votes and 27 top-three votes overall. Alec Bohm and Jake Cronenworth tied for second behind him.

Rodriguez signed a minor-league deal with the Rockies on Monday which includes an invitation to big-league camp, Kerry Crowley of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Rodriguez broke into the league with a 2.81 ERA in 2018, though his 3.74 FIP and 4.56 xFIP that season suggested he'd overachieved by quite a bit. Over the last two seasons, he hasn't pitched at even the level suggested by those numbers, as he owns a 5.94 ERA in 103.0 innings. While he could earn opportunities with the Rockies at some point, adding Coors Field to an already unimpressive recent resume makes him a rather unappealing fantasy option.

Burdi (elbow) cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Burdi was designated for assignment Sunday after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Although he'll miss the entire 2021 season due to the procedure, he'll remain in the Pirates' organization.