MLB Player News

Leclerc appears to be the frontrunner to open the season as closer for the Rangers, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.

As Weaver notes, Leclerc finished the 2022 season on a high note after returning from Tommy John surgery with a 2.83 ERA, 54:21 K:BB and seven saves. While he should be considered the favorite, Rangers general manager Chris Young mentioned several options as potential stoppers, including Jonathan Hernandez, Ian Kennedy and Joe Barlow. Leclerc will need to perform well in the Cactus League, but right now, he seems like the Texas reliever to target in fantasy for those searching for saves.

Gage was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays on Tuesday, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

Gage is cleared off the 40-man roster to make room for Chad Green, who signed a two-year, $8.5 million deal Tuesday. The southpaw hurler was effective with a 1.38 ERA over 13 innings in 11 appearances with Toronto, and posted a 2.34 ERA in Triple-A Buffalo in his 41 games in the minors. It would not be a surprise at all if he saw interest on the waiver wire or via trade.

Bukauskas was designated for assignment by the Mariners on Tuesday.

The move clears a spot on the roster after the Mariners claimed Tayler Saucedo off waivers from the Mets. Bukauskas had a short stay on the Mariners' 40-man roster, as he was claimed by Seattle off waivers from Arizona on Jan. 17. The right-hander posted a 2.79 ERA with a 1.31 WHIP over 19.1 frames with Triple-A Reno in 2022. If unclaimed, he likely will report to Triple-A Tacoma to provide organizational depth for the 2023 season.

Saucedo was claimed off waivers by the Mariners on Tuesday.

Saucedo had been designated for assignment by the Mets last week following the completion of a free-agent agreement with outfielder Tommy Pham. The 29-year-old left-hander allowed four earned runs in just 2.2 major-league innings last season with the Blue Jays, who cut him loose in November.

Andriese signed a minor-league contract with the Dodgers on Tuesday.

It's not clear whether he's been given an invitation to major-league spring training. Andriese spent 2022 in Japan with the Yomiuri Giants, posting a 2.86 ERA over 63 innings. The 33-year-old has the ability to start and relieve but has been used mostly out of the bullpen in recent years.

Green (elbow) signed a two-year, $8.5 million contract with the Blue Jays on Tuesday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic says the second year of the deal will be a player option should the Jays elect to decline a three-year team option. If both sides decline, Toronto would get a two-year club option. Green underwent Tommy John surgery in June of 2022 and won't pitch again at least until late 2023, hence the unique structure of the deal. It's a contract that should pay off for the Jays if Green can come close to his pre-surgery form, as the 31-year-old boasts a career 3.17 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 494:96 K:BB over 383.2 innings of work.

German was designated for assignment by the Red Sox on Monday.

It clears room on the 40-man roster for Richard Bleier after Bleier was acquired from Miami in the Matt Barnes trade. The right-hander allowed eight runs in four appearances with Boston in the 2022 campaign with a 4:4 K:BB over his four innings of work, but did pitch well with Triple-A Worcester in the second half of the season. There could be interest in German on the waiver wire.

The White Sox claimed Alexy off waivers from the Twins on Monday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Alexy was booted off the Twins' 40-man roster last week after Minnesota acquired outfielder Michael Taylor. The right-hander appeared in five games for the Rangers in 2022 while allowing nine runs in seven innings. The White Sox may look to continue developing the 24-year-old as a starter, but the bullpen likely represents his most realistic path to seeing big-league action in 2023.

Philadelphia designated Coonrod for assignment Monday.

The transaction clears room on the 40-man roster for infielder Josh Harrison, who was signed to a one-year, $2 million deal. Coonrod was ineffective in 12 appearances with Philadelphia in 2022, recording a 7.82 ERA and 1.50 WHIP over 12.2 innings. If he clears waivers, the 30-year-old will be outrighted to Triple-A Lehigh Valley if he opts not to elect free agency.

The Marlins acquired Barnes along with cash considerations from the Red Sox on Monday in exchange for left-handed reliever Richard Bleier, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Barnes will move on to a new organization after the Red Sox designated him for assignment last week to clear room on the 40-man roster for outfielder Adam Duvall. While the right-hander is coming off a rough season and is owed $8.38 million for 2023 with an $8 million club option or $2.25 million buyout for 2024, Miami will pay the majority of his salary. Barnes struggled to a 4.31 ERA and 1.44 WHIP over 39.2 innings in 2022, but Miami's decision to take on his salary suggests he could be in line to fill a high-leverage role out of the bullpen, even if he doesn't enter the season as the team's preferred option to close games.