MLB Player News

The Guardians designated Gillispie for assignment Tuesday.

Gillispie yielded just two earned runs over eight MLB innings in 2024, but he also logged a 4.05 ERA and 1.24 WHIP over 113.1 Triple-A frames. His 40-man spot will be handed to Nic Enright, who consequentially is protected from the upcoming Rule 5 Draft.

The Guardians designated Strzelecki for assignment Tuesday.

Strzelecki was effective during his time in the majors last season, allowing just three runs over 11.2 innings with the Guardians. However, his 5.01 ERA at Triple-A Columbus makes him significantly less reliable than his MLB stat line would suggest, so the team will strip him of his 40-man spot and use it to protect fellow right-hander Franco Aleman from the upcoming Rule 5 Draft.

The Tigers designated White for assignment Tuesday.

White missed most of the 2024 season due to injury, and he most recently underwent an elbow procedure in August. White started throwing sessions at the end of September, but his spot on the 40-man roster was needed for several players that were added Tuesday in order to protect them from the upcoming Rule 5 Draft.

The Tigers designated Vanasco for assignment Tuesday.

Vanasco was optioned to Triple-A Toledo in September after making two scoreless appearances for the Tigers out of the bullpen. He made 11 total appearances in Toledo in 2024, allowing just two earned runs across 17 innings. The 26-year-old is being designated for assignment in order to create room for one of the three pitchers being added to the 40-man Tuesday.

The Cubs designated Alzolay (elbow) for assignment Tuesday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

After undergoing Tommy John surgery in August, Alzolay isn't expected to pitch again until 2026, and the Cubs seemingly would rather use his 40-man roster spot to shield Ben Cowles from the upcoming Rule 5 Draft. Alzolay has put up a 3.10 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in 81.1 innings over the last two seasons, and there's a good chance he draws some interest from other teams on waivers.

The Tigers selected Lee from Triple-A Toledo on Tuesday.

Lee started the 2024 season in Triple-A Round Rock in the Rangers organization before being traded to the Tigers at the end of July. With Triple-A Toledo, the righty posted a 3.27 ERA and 1.23 WHIP across 22 innings in 17 appearances. The 26-year-old is now protected from the Rule 5 Draft in December.

McMillon cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

The Phillies claimed McMillon off waivers from the Marlins earlier this month, but he'll lose his 40-man roster spot again with Philadelphia protecting some prospects from the Rule 5 draft. McMillon's career has been greatly affected by arm injuries, and he averaged 95.3 mph with his fastball in 2024 after he sat at 99 mph with the pitch in 2023.

The Rangers returned Coleman (elbow) to the Yankees on Tuesday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

The Rangers selected Coleman in the 2023 Rule 5 Draft, but he never pitched for Texas while recovering from a procedure he underwent on his right elbow in April 2023. Because he never played, he'll now return to his previous organization and will remain without a spot on New York's 40-man roster.

The Rays designated Lovelady for assignment Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Lovelady is a roster casualty as the Rays look to clear space on Rule 5 Draft protection day. The lefty reliever holds a career 4.98 ERA and 90:36 K:BB over 99.1 innings covering parts of five big-league seasons.

The Cubs are expected to designate Alzolay (elbow) for assignment Tuesday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Alzolay might not be ready to pitch again until 2026 after having Tommy John surgery in August, and evidently the Cubs were unwilling to wait out his rehab and also pay him in his second year of arbitration eligibility. The 29-year-old broke out as the Cubs' closer in 2023 and is sure to draw interest via waivers or trade.