MLB Player News

Kahnle was designated for assignment by the Rockies on Friday, Nick Groke of the Denver Post reports.

John Axford, Wilin Rosario and Rex Brothers were also cleared to make room for four young players that needed to be protected from the Rule 5 draft. Kahnle was given a brief audition in the closer role in August, but he allowed nine runs in three appearances to lose the job after less than two weeks. The right-hander finished with a 4.86 ERA and 1.77 WHIP.

Axford was designated for assignment by the Rockies on Friday, Nick Groke of the Denver Post reports.

The 32-year-old was able to hold onto the closer job for most of the year after taking over for Adam Ottavino in early May, which speaks far more to the lack of options in Colorado than Axford's performance. He posted a 4.20 ERA and 1.58 WHIP in 55.2 innings, blowing six saves in 31 chances. Axford figures to become a free agent if he passes through waivers unclaimed.

Stephenson was added to the 40-man roster Friday.

Stephenson split time between Double-A and Triple-A in 2015, working to a combined 3.83 ERA with 140 strikeouts in 134 innings. He'll now be protected from the Rule 5 draft as a member of the 40-man roster.

The Phillies have received calls from multiple teams interested in Giles, the team's official site reports.

GM Matt Klentak said last week at the GM Meetings that it is not a goal to trade Giles this offseason, but the team will listen to offers. The Marlins and Astros are two of the teams that have expressed interest in Giles. He finished last season 6-3 with a 1.56 ERA, 16 saves and an 87:25 K:BB ratio in 70 innings.

Smith could be the favorite to close games for the Brewers in 2016 following Wednesday's trade that shipped Francisco Rodriguez to Detroit.

Of course, the Brewers could trade Smith as well, as he will be arbitration eligible for the first time this winter. However, if they hold Smith, he is statistically the best reliever on the roster, and has the stuff to handle the ninth. He had a 2.70 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 91 strikeouts in 63.1 innings as a setup man last year, so there is a lot to like here from a fantasy perspective if Smith is getting saves. Jeremy Jeffress and Corey Knebel could also be in the mix if the Brewers don't go with Smith in the ninth inning.

Guerra is not expected to compete for a job in spring training, Corey Brock of MLB.com reports.

Brock reported that GM A.J. Preller said Guerra would to come to spring training and compete for a job, but he simply misunderstood Preller. The player Preller was talking about was infielder Carlos Asuaje, who was also acquired from Boston on Friday for Craig Kimbrel. Guerra, 20, figures to open 2016 at the High-A level.

Padres GM A.J. Preller said Friday that Guerra will be given a chance to come to spring training and compete for a job, Corey Brock of MLB.com reports.

This is surprising, considering Guerra spent the entire 2015 season with the Red Sox's Low-A Greenville affiliate. However, there is a massive hole at shortstop in San Diego, and Preller seems intent on putting the 20-year-old on a fast track. Preller did say that Guerra is more likely to start at Triple-A, but an arrival to San Diego at some point in 2016 is now sounding well within the realm of possibility.

The Red Sox agreed to trade Guerra and three other prospects to the Padres on Friday for Craig Kimbrel, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports.

Showing impressive pop to go along with advanced defense at short, Guerra clubbed 15 homers and slugged .449 from the left side in 116 games at Low-A Greenville in 2015. He's an impressive prospect and there's a glaring need at the position in San Diego, but Guerra just turned 20 in September and it's unrealistic to think he will be an option for the major league team in 2016.

Reyes was suspended 50 games Monday for testing positive for drug abuse, Jennifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

Reyes is one of the Cardinals' top prospects in their minor league system, but this will keep him out of any lineup until the end of May. He's still only in Double-A Springfield and this will slow his ascent to the big league club in 2016.

Kolarek was signed by the Orioles following his release from the Mets in early October, Matt Eddy of Baseball America reports.

Kolarek, who pitched with Double-A Binghamton in 2015, improved upon his dreadful 2014 numbers (6.07 ERA, 1.75 WHIP in 56.1 innings), but not by much, posting a 4.43 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 67 innings with the Double-A affiliate this season and was subsequently released. He will now try to climb the minor league ladder with the Orioles.