MLB Player News

Ramirez signed a minor-league contract Tuesday with the Yankees that includes an invitation to major-league spring training.

Ramirez spent the 2022 season with the Triple-A affiliate of the Mariners and worked to a 2.93 ERA and 53:13 K:BB ratio in 55.1 innings. The former first baseman will function as organizational relief depth for New York heading into the 2023 campaign.

Gage was placed on unconditional release waivers Monday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

All 29 other teams will have a chance to claim Gage and add him to the 40-man roster, however, the southpaw also has the option of rejecting the claim and testing free agency. Either way, his tenure in Toronto will come to an end. Gage appeared in 11 games for the Blue Jays in 2022, posting a 1.38 ERA and 0.92 WHIP with a 12:6 K:BB across 13 frames.

The Mets claimed Coonrod off waivers Monday from the Phillies, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Coonrod was designated for assignment Jan. 30 after the Phillies completed the signing of Josh Harrison. The right-hander made 12 appearances for Philadelphia in 2022 with a 7.82 ERA and 1.50 WHIP over 12.2 innings. He'll compete for one of the final spots in the Mets' bullpen during spring training.

Hildenberger was re-signed by the Giants on Monday to a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to spring training, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Hildenberger was limited to just six appearances in the minors last year with four of those coming with Triple-A Sacramento. The right-handed hurler has not pitched in the majors since 2021, when he made two appearances with the Mets. He provides some relief depth for the minors and isn't likely to be a factor for the Giants again in 2023.

Kay, who recently accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Iowa, will join the MLB team for spring training.

Kay went unclaimed after being designated for assignment near the end of January. The 27-year-old southpaw has made 28 MLB appearances over parts of four seasons from 2018-2022, and has registered a 5.48 ERA with a 77:38 K:BB over 70.2 innings of work. He doesn't appear to have a realistic shot of making Chicago's Opening Day pitching staff, and will all but assuredly begin the 2023 campaign with Triple-A Iowa.

Burdi, whom the Cubs selected in the minor-league Rule 5 draft in December, will join the MLB team for spring training.

The 29-year-old right-hander previously saw big-league action with the Pirates in parts of three seasons between 2018 and 2020, but he hasn't appeared in affiliated ball in either of the past two years after undergoing his second career Tommy John surgery in October 2020. The fact that he wasn't able to pitch even in the second half of the 2022 campaign suggests that he might have experienced a setback at some point along the way, but he looks as though he'll be healthy for spring training. Given his lengthy layoff from pitching, Burdi probably won't have a realistic chance at winning a spot in the Cubs' Opening Day bullpen and will most likely be ticketed for Triple-A Iowa.

Romano will not participate in the World Baseball Classic for Team Italy, Jamie Campbell of Sportsnet reports.

Romano also was offered an opportunity to pitch for Team Canada in the tournament, but declined that chance as well. The right-handed closer had announced that he was going to be a part of the Italian team back in 2022, but he'll instead spend the start of the Grapefruit League in Toronto's camp.

Vespi (abdomen) expects to be ready for Opening Day, Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Vespi underwent sports hernia surgery in early January, and he appears to be progressing well. Recovery from the procedure will prevent him from pitching for Italy in the World Baseball Classic, but he doesn't expect to be limited beyond that.

Bukauskas cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Tacoma on Friday.

After being claimed by the Mariners in mid-January and DFA'd Tuesday, Bukauskas is now set to begin 2023 in the Mariners' farm system and attend major-league spring training as a non-roster invitee. The 26-year-old right-hander recorded a 2.79 ERA and 1.31 WHIP through 19.1 Triple-A innings last season.

Hamilton signed a minor-league contract with the Yankees on Friday.

Hamilton elected free agency after being outrighted off the Guardians' 40-man roster at the end of the season. The right-hander also pitched in the Twins' organization in 2022 and forged a 3.61 ERA over 38 appearances with Triple-A St. Paul and Columbus with a 60:19 K:BB. He'll need to be added to the 40-man roster in order to make any appearances with the Yankees in 2023.