MLB Player News

German was traded to the White Sox from the Red Sox on Friday in exchange for Theo Denlinger.

After being designated for assignment Monday to make room on Boston's roster for Richard Bleier, German will now attempt to carve out a role for himself in Chicago's bullpen. The 25-year-old righty cracked the majors for the first time last season, though he allowed eight earned runs over just four innings of work. German will more than likely begin the season in Triple-A again, where he put up a 2.58 ERA and 0.94 WHIP through 38.1 frames in 2022.

Flores signed a minor-league contract with the Rangers on Friday.

Flores made a total of three relief appearances from 2020-21 for the White Sox and Cardinals. He split time in 2022 between the Mexican League and Triple-A Louisville in the Reds organization. The lefty will give the Rangers some potential swingman depth.

Misiewicz was designated for assignment by the Royals on Friday.

The club needed to free up a spot on the 40-man roster for the re-signing of Zack Greinke. Misiewicz pitched pretty well for Kansas City down the stretch last season after being acquired via trade from the Mariners, posting a 4.11 ERA and 19:4 K:BB over 15.1 innings. It's the second time since July that the left-hander has been designated for assignment.

Hall will enter spring training as a starting pitcher, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

All but one of Hall's 11 appearances late last season came in relief, but he'll head into spring training as one of 12 competitors for five spots in Baltimore's rotation. The dynamic lefty might ultimately wind up in the bullpen over the long haul if he can't improve his control and command, but there's no reason to pull the plug on him as a starter yet. O's general manager Mike Elias wasn't ready to say Friday whether Hall might move to the bullpen if he doesn't win a rotation spot, or if he'd head to Triple-A Norfolk.

Leiter signed a minor-league contract Thursday with the Cubs that includes an invitation to major-league spring training, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Leiter was pushed off the Cubs' 40-man roster last month, but he's back now with a chance to impress on the MLB side of spring camp. The 31-year-old right-hander worked to a respectable 3.99 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 73:25 K:BB ratio over 67.2 innings with Chicago during the 2022 regular season.

Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto said Wednesday that Sewald (elbow/heel) has resumed throwing and should be ready to pitch in games during spring training, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Since he's building back up after undergoing a cleanup procedure on his right elbow early in the offseason as well as an additional procedure on his heel, Sewald may be slightly behind Seattle's other relievers when he reports to camp, but he looks as though he'll be ready to go by the time the Mariners open their Cactus League slate. Sewald led Seattle with 20 saves in 2022 and looks like the best bet to open the season as the team's preferred end-game option, though manager Scott Servais is still expected to take a committee approach to the ninth inning. Andres Munoz and Diego Castillo are also candidates to factor into the mix at closer.

President of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto said Brash will be competing for a relief role on Seattle's Opening Day roster during spring training, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Brash began last season as a member of Seattle's rotation before moving to the bullpen in May after being roughed up through his first five starts. He turned in much better results as a reliever (2.35 ERA, 1.24 WHIP in 30.2 innings), but Seattle was still expected to entertain the idea of letting the 24-year-old audition for a rotation spot heading into 2023. However, with Brash set to spend some time away from the Mariners' spring camp while pitching for Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic, Dipoto suggested that the right-hander won't be built up for starting duty and will instead continue to work out of the bullpen. If Brash doesn't gain traction in a high-leverage gig out of the big-league bullpen early in the season, the Mariners could send him to the minors and transition him back to a starting role.

Brash will continue to pitch in relief in 2023, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Timesreports.

Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto told reporters that Brash continuing to pitch in relief is part of the agreement made between the two when Brash asked to pitch for Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic. After making the move to the bullpen, the right-hander impressed with a 2.35 ERA, and 43:16 K:BB over 34 appearances. Brash isn't likely to get save opportunities in 2023, but he's someone to have on the fantasy radar because of his elite potential to miss bats.

Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto said Wednesday that Munoz (foot) has been out of a walking boot for the past two weeks and has started a throwing program, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Munoz underwent foot surgery after a breakout 2022 campaign in which the hard-throwing reliever post eda 2.49 ERA with four saves and 22 holds across 64 appearances. The 24-year-old should report to spring training with few limitations, if any, and while he may not see the majority of save chances with Seattle to begin the season, his ability to miss bats makes him relevant in several fantasy formats.

Rangers GM Chris Young said Saturday that Hernandez "could be a closer" for the club in 2023, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.

Jose Leclerc, who finished 2022 as Texas' closer, is likely the current frontrunner for the job and was the first of many names mentioned by Young, but Hernandez was the next man brought up by the new GM. Hernandez returned from a lengthy absence last season after he underwent Tommy John surgery in 2021 and had a 2.97 ERA with four saves across 30.1 innings, but he struggled with his command at times and had a 13.0 percent walk rate. The right-hander may not open 2023 as the Rangers' primary closer, but Hernandez should have a high-leverage role and is likely to receive some save chances at some point.