MLB Player News

Bowman signed a minor-league contract with the Twins on Thursday and received an invitation to major-league spring training, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

In 2023, Bowman returned to the majors for the first time since 2019, though he appeared in just three games for the Yankees and surrendered four earned runs in four innings. The 32-year-old reliever posted a 3.99 ERA and 1.39 WHIP in Triple-A and will now have an outside shot at making the Twins' Opening Day roster.

The Giants plan to use Hicks as a conventional starter this season, Danny Emerman of KNBR 680 San Francisco reports.

The goal is for the right-hander to be ready to throw five innings and/or 75 pitches at the start of the season. Hicks totaled just 66.2 frames between the regular and postseason in 2023 and his professional high is 105, which came back in 2017 when he was last used as a regular starter. Therefore, his workload will almost surely have to be managed at some point. The Giants could always reverse course and put Hicks in the bullpen if starting doesn't work out, but for now they're committed to him being a member of their rotation.

The Tigers claimed Sweet off waivers from the Giants on Thursday.

Sweet has done some bouncing around since last August, going from the Mariners to the Athletics to the Giants and now to the Tigers via waivers. The 27-year-old reliever held a 10.38 ERA in seven appearances during 2023 in his first taste of the majors, but he posted a 2.25 ERA and 57:11 K:BB over 44 frames in the minors last season. He'll look to fill a middle relief role in Detroit.

Gonsalves signed a minor-league contract with the Dodgers on Tuesday that includes an invitation to spring training, J.P. Hoornstra of DodgersNation.com reports.

Gonsalves spent the 2023 season spread across four minor-league levels in the Cubs organization, holding a 5.72 ERA over 22 appearances in his first year back from Tommy John surgery. While he had a 5.72 ERA with 22 walks in 28.1 innings, he also struck out an impressive 44. The left-hander last appeared in the majors in 2021.

Voth signed a one-year, $1.25 million contract with the Mariners on Wednesday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

The 31-year-old's contract includes a potential additional year of team control in 2025. Voth collected a 5.19 ERA and 34:15 K:BB over 34.2 innings in 2023 with the Orioles. He was used exclusively in relief last season during his time in the majors but has plenty of past starting experience and could operate in a swingman or long-relief role in Seattle.

Gilbert signed a minor-league contract with the Reds on Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Gilbert, 30, pitched 17.1 relief innings with the Diamondbacks in 2023, posting a 5.19 ERA but a 19:5 K:BB. The left-hander is capable of starting or relieving and it's not clear which role the Reds have planned for him. In either case, he's likely headed to Triple-A Louisville for the start of the 2024 season.

Mengden signed a contract with the CTBC Brothers of the Chinese Professional Baseball League in Taiwan on Tuesday.

It will be Mengden's second stint overseas, as he pitched for the Kia Tigers of the Korea Baseball Organization in 2021. The 30-year-old holds a career 4.65 ERA over parts of six major-league seasons.

The Rangers acquired Duarte (shoulder) from the Reds on Tuesday in exchange for cash considerations.

Duarte had been designated for assignment by Cincinnati but will now go back on a 40-man roster as he joins the Texas organization. The 27-year-old holds a 4.19 ERA and 25:23 K:BB over 34.1 innings at the major-league level over the last two seasons. Duarte ended last season on the injured list with a shoulder issue, and it's not clear what his current health status is.

Krehbiel signed a minor-league contract with the Mariners on Tuesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Krehbiel, 31, holds a 3.65 ERA and 57:27 K:BB over 74 relief innings covering parts of four seasons at the big-league level. The right-hander spent the 2023 campaign in the Orioles organization, holding a 1.80 ERA in six appearances in the majors and a 3.89 ERA in 35 outings at Triple-A Norfolk.

Graveman is expected to miss the 2024 season after the Astros announced Tuesday that he underwent surgery last week to repair the labrum in his right shoulder.

Graveman first developed shoulder soreness toward the end of the 2023 regular season and was held out of postseason action. Discomfort returned after a period of rest and rehab, necessitating the procedure. Graveman, 33, will be entering the final year of his three-year, $24 million contract in 2024 and is set to become a free agent next offseason.