MLB Player News

Szapucki's (arm) contract was purchased from Double-A Binghamton on Wednesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

This move protects the southpaw from the Rule 5 draft. He was scratched from the Arizona Fall League roster after ending the year on the 7-day injured list. The team has not provided an official injury, just saying that Szapucki was going to rest his arm for a while. While his season ended on a slightly ominous note, it had been a successful first year back from Tommy John surgery from a performance standpoint. He will likely open back at Double-A and should spend most of the year at Triple-A.

Feyereisen's contract was selected by the Brewers on Wednesday, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Feyereisen was acquired by the Brewers in early September, and he was added to the team's 40-man roster Wednesday to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. The 26-year-old was effective in the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre bullpen in 2019, recording a 2.49 ERA with 94 strikeouts over 61.1 innings. The right-hander has Triple-A experience over the last three seasons, and he may be nearing his major-league debut after he showed improvement in 2019.

Martin (oblique) signed a two-year, $14 million deal with the Braves on Tuesday.

Martin was acquired by the Braves from the Rangers ahead of the trade deadline, and he posted a 4.08 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 37:5 K:BB across 17.2 innings after the trade. The 33-year-old went down in Game 1 of the NLDS with left oblique tightness and missed the rest of the series before hitting free agency, but the new contract indicates the injury shouldn't impact his status entering spring training. Martin's 2.3 percent walk rate in 2019 tied with Josh Tomlin for the league lead among qualified relievers. The Braves will enter 2020 with a crowded bullpen with Mark Melancon, Will Smith, Luke Jackson and Shane Greene all potentially in the mix for high-leverage work.

Davidson was added to the Braves' 40-man roster Tuesday.

Davidson's contract was selected in order to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. The 23-year-old lefty spent the bulk of last season with Double-A Mississippi, where he recorded an excellent 2.03 ERA and a 27.2 percent strikeout rate over 21 starts. In four starts for Triple-A Gwinnett late in the year, his ERA stayed strong at 2.84, but his strikeout rate collapsed to 14.6 percent. He likely still has some work to do at that level.

Webb (elbow) is expected to be healthy in time for Opening Day, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Webb missed the second half of last season with a right elbow impingement that eventually required surgery. However, he should be recovered for the start of 2020, and he is expected to serve in the major-league bullpen after he was effective prior to his injury. The 26-year-old recorded a 1.39 ERA with a 28:12 K:BB over 36 appearances in 2019.

Melancon is expected to remain as the Braves' primary closer next season, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Atlanta's bullpen became even more crowded Thursday when the team signed Will Smith, who recorded 34 saves last season with the Giants. However, the Braves still plan to use Melancon as their primary closer in 2020 after he recorded a 3.61 ERA with 12 saves last year. Melancon will likely have a shorter leash as a closer next season since the Braves have several other capable closers in Smith and Shane Greene.

Smith signed a three-year, $39 million contract with the Braves on Thursday.

Despite receiving a qualifying offer from the Giants, Smith landed a three-year deal with Atlanta after recording 34 saves and a 96:21 K:BB in 2019. The contract includes a club option for 2023 worth $13 million. The 30-year-old will join Atlanta's crowded bullpen that includes arms such as Mark Melancon, Luke Jackson and Shane Greene, so it's unclear whether Smith will perform as a full-time closer in 2020.

Dominguez (elbow) will have a normal offseason and will be ready for the start of spring training, Meghan Montemurro of The Athletic reports.

Dominguez went down with the UCL injury in his right elbow in early June, but he was able to avoid any type of surgery and is now on track for the 2020 season. The 24-year-old hit mid-to-upper 90s with his fastball and was throwing breaking balls off the mound before shutting things down to prep for the offseason. The hard-throwing righty figures to be in the late-inning mix entering spring training for the Phillies.

Reyes (pectoral) has checked out healthy and is set for a normal offseason, David Solomon of 590 the Fan reports.

Reyes hasn't had much good news on the health front lately, throwing a total of 67.1 innings over his last three seasons combined. He hasn't pitched since late June this year due to a strained pectoral muscle, but the issue is apparently behind him. It's hard to be too confident in his health giong forward given his recent struggles, but the fact that he won't have to be rehabbing over the offseason is certainly good news.

Garcia was claimed off waivers by the Giants on Monday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Garcia made his debut in 2019, giving up seven runs in six innings at the big-league level while posting a 2:5 K:BB. The 25-year-old was also poor in 13 starts for Triple-A Albuquerque, recording a 6.90 ERA, though he posted an excellent 1.85 ERA in 13 starts for Double-A Hartford.