MLB Player News

Underwood was added to the Cubs' 40-man roster on Friday.

Underwood had a trying 2016 season, struggling at Double-A Tennessee to the tune of a 4.91 ERA and missing significant time with an undisclosed injury. He should be in line for a return to Tennessee after he ended 2016 at High-A Myrtle Beach, but likely remains a long way from the majors.

Pivetta was added to Philadelphia's 40-man roster Friday.

Pivetta initially struggled when he came into the Phillies organization from the Nationals, but he put that in the rearview mirror as he advanced to get his first taste of Triple-A. The 23-year-old possesses a decent fastball and above average breaking pitches, so if he can continue to succeed at Triple-A, he could climb onto the big league roster in 2017 as a starter or a reliever.

Cordero was designated for assignment by the Phillies on Friday.

Cordero was protected from the Rule 5 draft last offseason, but the Phillies decided to send him off the 40-man roster after he only threw 14 innings in 2016 due to injury issues. That being said, the right-hander has a history of strong strikeout rates, and given the fact that he's only 25 years old, there's still hope for him to work his way up to the big leagues at some point.

Hader was added to the Brewers' 40-man roster Friday.

An absolutely dominant 11-start run with Double-A Biloxi to begin 2016 (0.95 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 11.5 K/9) earned Hader a promotion to Triple-A Colorado Springs in June. The results at Colorado Springs weren't great, but he maintained an excellent K-rate and it's important to remember that the conditions there are extremely hitter-friendly. Hader is widely considered one of the top pitching prospects in baseball and there's a chance he could join the Brewers' rotation during the first half of 2017.

Moll was added to Colorado's 40-man roster Friday, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reports.

The left-hander's stats from 2016 don't really jump off the page, but his mid- to upper-90s fastball paired with his slider have created some intrigue over the past few years. Given that Jake McGee and Chris Rusin are the only lefties in the Rockies bullpen following Boone Logan's departure, Moll's solid mix of pitches could help him land a spot in the big league bullpen at some point this season.

Almonte was added to Colorado's 40-man roster Friday, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reports.

Almonte impressed as a starter as he progressed through the Rockies system in 2016, most recently posting a 3.00 ERA in five starts with Double-A Hartford. The 22-year-old's mid- to upper-90s fastball and hard slider may make him more of a reliever going forward, which actually could help him move up the organizational ladder quickly if he can translate his success to the upper levels of the minor leagues. That being said, he'll likely spend a good chunk of time with Double-A Hartford and/or Triple-A Albuquerque in 2017 as he gears up for big league hitters.

Voth was added to Washington's 40-man roster on Friday, MASN's Dan Kolko reports.

As expected, the Nationals protected Voth from the Rule 5 draft. His minor league numbers are excellent, but it is a No. 5 starter's profile, as his fastball is just average and he lacks a plus pitch. Voth could be used as an emergency big league starter in 2017, although Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez and A.J. Cole are all likely ahead of him on the organizational depth chart.

Sims was added to the Braves' 40-man roster on Friday.

The 22-year-old had a rough stint with Triple-A Gwinnett, but his 2.67 ERA and 10.0 K/9 at the Double-A level opened some eyes in the organization, leading Atlanta to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. Sims' nasty fastball/curveball combination could allow him to dominate in a high-leverage role if the Braves decide to pull the plug on developing him as a starter in 2017.

Thielbar's contract was purchased by the Marlins on Monday, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Thielbar spent 2016 playing independent ball and performed quite well, piecing together a 2.39 ERA and 1.02 WHIP across 64 innings pitched in relief. The left-hander has a good amount of big league experience as a member of the Twins bullpen from 2013 to 2015 with some success, but his unimpressive strikeout abilities could limit his ceiling if he sticks with the team out of spring training.

The Reds have four rotation slots essentially locked down, but will have a wide pool to choose among for their fifth starter, of which Adleman is one of those options.

Anthony DeSclafani, Homer Bailey, Dan Straily and Brandon Finnegan are near locks, barring health setbacks, but the team could go a number of different routes with the fifth spot, including signing a veteran free agent to eat innings. Hopefully they can clear the low, low, very low bar set by Alfredo Simon in 2016 in that quest. Adleman turned in a 4.00 ERA in 13 starts with the Reds last year, but his 5.35 FIP ERA is a better indicator of his likely potential.