MLB Player News

Roberts (elbow) has started a throwing program, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Roberts posted a video of him throwing at the Cubs' spring training complex in Mesa. The right-hander underwent Tommy John surgery in July, and he's expected to miss most -- if not all -- of the 2023 season while recovering.

Koch signed a minor-league contract with the Rockies on Nov. 22 and received an invitation to major-league spring training.

Koch spent the 2022 season with the Mariners, and struggled to an 8.31 ERA over 4.1 innings of work in four appearances. The right-hander has an outside chance of making the Rockies out of spring training with a strong showing in the Cactus League.

Burke and the Rangers discussed a return to the rotation earlier in the offseason, and he's now being considered for the closer spot as well, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

While the Rangers seemingly aren't certain how they'll use Burke next season, it's clear they like him quite a bit. It's easy to see why, as he recorded a 1.97 ERA last season in 82.1 innings of relief, backing that number up with a 27.4 percent strikeout rate and 7.3 percent walk rate. He was a starter in the minors and regularly threw multiple innings last season, so it could make sense for the Rangers to stretch him out and have him ready as the top fill-in should any of their starters' long injury histories get even longer. Given his success in relief, however, it could make sense for the Rangers to keep him in the bullpen, where he'll compete with Jose Leclerc, Jonathan Hernandez and potentially others for saves.

Colome signed a minor-league contract with the Nationals on Friday and received an invite to major-league spring training, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

The Nationals have had their eyes on Colome since 2019 when they attempted to trade for him ahead of the deadline. The right-hander has declined considerably since then, however, and holds a 4.82 ERA and 1.52 WHIP over the past two seasons. If the 34-year-old reliever can hold his own in spring training, he might crack a Nats bullpen with few proven arms, though he probably won't see much high-leverage usage.

Fairbanks signed a three-year, $12 million contract extension with the Rays on Friday, per ESPN's Jeff Passan.

Passan adds that the arbitration-covering deal includes a $7 million fourth-year club option, which could potentially secure what would have been Fairbanks' first year of free-agent eligibility. The 29-year-old right-hander again had to contend with injuries in 2022, but he dominated to the tune of a 1.13 ERA and 38:3 K:BB ratio in 24 innings when healthy. Fairbanks currently projects as the favorite for saves in Tampa Bay leading into the 2023 campaign, though history suggests the closer role will be a carousel as the season plays out. It's just how the Rays tend to operate.

Suarez signed a minor-league contract with the Cardinals on Friday.

The left-hander has been given an invitation to major-league spring training as part of the deal. Suarez played in Korea in 2021 and Japan in 2022. He saw action in part of three seasons in the majors with the Giants before that, holding a 4.66 ERA over 56 appearances (31 starts). The 30-year-old is likely pegged for Triple-A Memphis to begin 2023.

Covey signed a minor-league contract with the Dodgers on Friday, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

Covey last appeared in the majors in 2020, compiling a 7.07 ERA and 1.43 WHIP with 11 strikeouts over 14 innings in eight games for the Red Sox. Considering those numbers were an upgrade over his prior season with the White Sox, the right-hander is very unlikely to see much action in the big leagues in 2023.

Duffey signed a minor-league contract with the Cubs on Friday, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

Duffey has been given an invitation to major-league spring training, where he would seem to stand a decent chance of cracking the Opening Day bullpen. The 32-year-old posted a 4.91 ERA for the Twins in 2022 before eventually being released, but he held a 2.69 ERA and 174:48 K;BB across 144 frames for them from 2019-21. It's a fine no-risk signing by the Cubs.

Castano (shoulder) cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Jacksonville by the Marlins on Thursday, per Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald.

Miami designated Castano for assignment last week as the corresponding 40-man roster move for its completion of a free-agent agreement with veteran starter Johnny Cueto. The 28-year-old left-hander holds a 3.89 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 45:28 K:BB ratio in 85.2 career innings at the MLB level.

Voth has avoided arbitration with the Orioles and signed a one-year contract Thursday, which includes a club option for 2024.

Voth will be guaranteed $1.85 million with this new deal, and the 2024 option is worth $2.45 million with escalators that could add another $500,000. The 30-year-old right-hander struggled out of the gate last season with Washinton before moving on to Baltimore and registering a sharp 3.04 ERA with 72 strikeouts in 17 starts and five relief appearances covering 83 innings. He projects to operate in a swingman role again for the O's in 2023, shuffling between long relief and emergency starting/opening duties.