MLB Player News

Hoover will be tendered a contract by the Reds on Wednesday.

After a poor 2014 campaign, Hoover bounced back in 2015, going 8-2 with a 2.94 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in 67 appearances. However, his strikeout rate fell dramatically, from 27.3 percent to 19.7 percent, and his walk rate was once again over 4.0 BB/9. He's not the sure-fire closer-in-waiting behind Aroldis Chapman.

Chapman will be tendered a contract by the Reds on Wednesday.

This was a no-brainer, because while Chapman figures to receive more than $10 million in his third year of arbitration, he's worth every penny and more as one of baseball's most dominant closers. The Reds have acknowledged that they are fielding offers for Chapman, and something will likely get done before 2016, though it's not entirely clear who the frontrunners are.

Pomeranz was traded to the Padres on Wednesday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Pomeranz underwent arthroscopic shoulder surgery in the offseason, but it appears all has checked out in that regard. The southpaw spent most of the 2015 campaign pitching out of the A's bullpen, but could be a candidate to rejoin the rotation in San Diego.

Almonte was traded to the Rockies on Tuesday in exchange for reliever Tommy Kahnle.

The 21-year-old righty had an impressive 2.42 ERA and 39:12 K:BB in 44.2 innings (mostly as a starter) at High-A last year. That said, as a low-pedigree Rockies pitching prospect who has not yet reached Double-A, he has little value in dynasty leagues.

Salcedo signed a minor league contract Monday with the Dodgers, Brandon Warne of Cold Omaha 96.3 reports.

Salcedo is currently serving a 100-game suspension that will keep him out until August of 2016. This is his second major suspension for PED use. Upon his return, he'll still only be either in the Double-A or Triple-A for the remainder of the 2016 season.

Okert was added to the Giants' 40-man roster Friday, Andrew Baggarly of the Bay Area News Group reports.

While Okert took a step back with his control in 2015, issuing 29 walks in 61.1 innings, he showed the Giants enough to warrant protection from the Rule 5 draft. He struck batters out at a 10.1 K/9 clip and posted a 1.26 ERA in 10 appearances in August.

Blach was added to the Giants' 40-man roster Friday, Andrew Baggarly of the Bay Area News Group reports.

The lefty has made a quick rise since being drafted in the fifth round out of Creighton University in 2012, opening his third professional season at Triple-A Sacramento and holding his own in the PCL throughout the year. He may never strike out enough batters to be fantasy-relevant in mixed leagues, but Blach has shown great control and may be one of the team's top injury-replacement rotation options during the year.

Garcia was added to the Marlins' 40-man roster on Friday, MLB.com's Joe Frisaro reports.

He is probably a top-10 prospect in the Marlins system, but that is only because it is such a bad system. Garcia posted a 4.91 ERA while striking out 35 over 36.2 innings (seven starts) at Double-A last year, and it's possible that he ends up pitching out of the bullpen long term.

Ramsey was outrighted to Triple-A New Orleans on Friday, MLB.com's Joe Frisaro reports.

The Marlins needed to clear some room on the 40-man rosters, hence outrighting Ramsey. A 26-year-old reliever, Ramsey has some impressive numbers, but he has now spent back-to-back seasons at Double-A.

Johnson was added to the Cubs' 40-man roster on Friday, the Daily Herald's Bruce Miles reports.

Johnson may be the closest to the big leagues of the Cubs' noteworthy pitching prospects. However, this move was primarily for Rule 5 protection. Look for Johnson to spend most of 2016 at Triple-A, and possibly slot into the big league rotation if there is a need in the second half.