MLB Player News

GM David Stearns said Friday that the Brewers are still evaluating whether to use Hader as a starter or reliever in 2018, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

One thing Stearns is confident about is that Hader "is going to be put in a position to accumulate innings," whether that be as a starter or a multi-inning reliever, which is no surprise given Hader's talent. While the Brewers will be looking to maximize his innings, and he was a highly-regarded starting pitcher prospect just one offseason ago, he did throw only 99.2 total innings in 2017 across all levels, so he'd probably have a cap on his workload even if he heads into the season as a starter. With that in mind, the Brewers must weigh if it's worth even trying Hader in the rotation, especially when considering just how dominant (12.84 K/9, .156 BAA) he was working in relief last year. With Hader facing a theoretical innings limit as a starter and not in the mix for saves as a reliever, he will likely be only a fringe option in standard league formats. However, even as a full-time reliever he would stand a good chance to hit 100 strikeouts while providing quality ratios, so he can still provide some sort of value in any role for fantasy owners and the Brewers alike.

Crockett agreed to a minor-league contract with the Reds on Monday, Zach Buchanan of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The deal includes an invitation to spring training. It's been a busy couple of weeks for Crockett, as he was non-tendered by the Reds last week just days after the team claimed him off waivers from the Indians. The 25-year-old southpaw spent most of his time with Triple-A Columbus last season but has made major-league appearances in each of the last four seasons, compiling a respectable 3.12 FIP over 65.1 major-league innings during that stretch. Look for him to compete for an Opening Day spot in the Reds' bullpen.

Garcia (elbow) signed a one-year deal with the Dodgers on Friday, avoiding arbitration, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

He missed all of 2017 recovering from Tommy John surgery, but will rejoin the bullpen in 2018. Garcia hasn't pitched regularly in the majors since 2015, but he notched a 3.34 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 30.2 percent strikeout rate that season, so he has late-inning upside if he returns to form. The specifics of the one-year deal were not made immediately available.

Alvarez signed a major-league deal with the Cubs, Mets Minors' Jacob Resnick reports.

The Rangers designated him for assignment last season, despite the fact that his Triple-A numbers were excellent (2.33 ERA, 31.3 percent strikeout rate), and he limited runs (2.76 ERA) while striking out 17 over 16.1 MLB innings. Of course, his 14 walks over that stretch are concerning, but his stuff is pretty decent from the left side. He works strictly with a fastball (92.4 mph) and slider, which he threw a whopping 61.7 percent of the time in 2017. He should start the season in a low-leverage role.

Boxberger was traded to the Diamondbacks in exchange for Curtis Taylor on Thursday.

Boxberger will provide an immediate boost to Arizona's bullpen after accumulating a 3.38 ERA and 1.16 WHIP over 29.1 innings with the Rays last season. The right-hander missed the first half of this past year with an back injury, but didn't seem to be bothered by the ailment once he returned to the mound in late June. Looking ahead, it remains to be seen how the Diamondbacks will utilize Boxberger, but he's expected to appear in high-leverage situations for the club in 2018.

Venditte signed a minor-league contract with the Dodgers on Monday, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

Venditte's contract will include an invitation to spring training. He was acquired by the Phillies prior to the 2017 season and spent the entire year at Triple-A Lehigh Valley. With Lehigh Valley, he threw for a 3.36 ERA and 1.29 WHIP over 52 games (69.2 innings). However, while he managed to log 69 strikeouts in that time, he lacked control and walked 36 batters.

Crockett was claimed off waivers by the Reds on Monday.

Crockett was picked up by Cincinnati after the Indians dropped him from their 40-man roster in order to protect another player from the Rule 5 draft. While the 25-year-old spent most of his 2017 campaign with Triple-A Columbus, he's seen brief stints with the Indians in each of the previous four seasons, making 107 relief appearances and compiling a 3.44 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 62 strikeouts in 65.1 innings of work. He's also given up just three homers over that span. Crockett will likely compete for an Opening Day bullpen spot.

Moll was claimed off waivers by the Pirates on Monday, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

Moll, who was designated for assignment by the A's last week, made his major-league debut in 2017. The lefty appeared in 11 games for the big club, but struggled to a 10.80 ERA and 2.40 WHIP across just 6.2 innings. He's compiled a respectable 3.35 ERA and 8.4 K/9 across 215 minor-league innings (five seasons) and will likely serve as organizational bullpen depth for the Pirates.

McGough signed a minor-league contract with the Rockies on Thursday, Matt Eddy of Baseball America reports.

The right-hander spent the 2017 season between Double-A Bowie and Triple-A Norfolk in the Orioles organization, notching a 2.75 ERA over 55.2 innings. McGough will now head to Colorado to add some organizational depth, but he projects to at least start the year in the minors.

Beede was added to the Giants' 40-man roster Monday, Amy Gutierrez of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The Giants' decision to add Beede to the 40-man roster will protect him from the Rule 5 draft. Beede got his first taste of Triple-A ball last season, as he spent the season at Triple-A Sacramento. He started 19 games and pitched 109 innings and ended the year with a 4.79 ERA and 1.47 WHIP.