MLB Player News

Rockies general manager Bill Schmidt said Friday that Rolison (shoulder) is expected to be ready to go for the start of spring training, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

The 25-year-old Rolison didn't pitch in 2022 after ultimately undergoing season-ending left shoulder surgery in mid-June, but he appears to be progressing as anticipated in his rehab and recovery program and looks set to head into spring training with few restrictions, if any. Rolison should get the chance to battle for a back-end spot in the Colorado rotation this spring, but his lack of prior MLB experience in addition to the fact that he's coming off an injury means he's more likely to begin the campaign as a starter at Triple-A Albuquerque.

Smeltzer agreed to a minor-league contract with the Marlins on Tuesday, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.

Smeltzer can earn $1 million if he cracks the MLB roster in Miami, per Alvarez-Montes. The 27-year-old left-hander served as a fairly valuable swingman for the Twins in 2022, delivering an overall 3.71 ERA with 40 strikeouts and 19 walks in 70.1 innings -- 12 starts, three relief appearances. He may have a tough time cracking the Marlins' rotation, even with Pablo Lopez gone, but there is a path for Smeltzer to log a sizable workload in a versatile role.

Taylor (back) was traded from Boston to Kansas City on Monday in exchange for Adalberto Mondesi and a player to be named later, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Taylor owns a 3.69 ERA and a 29.4 percent strikeout rate in 102.1 career innings of relief. The lefty missed all of last season while dealing with back issues, with two separate rehab stints getting paused due to setbacks, but the Royals evidently felt confident enough in his health to acquire him. If he's fully healthy this year, he could be a useful weapon for his new team, though he's unlikely to see many save chances.

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

Suero spent last season at Triple-A Salt Lake in the Angels organization, posting an ugly 6.08 ERA across 20 appearances. The 31-year-old has extensive major-league experience with the Nationals but hasn't had any success in the big leagues since 2020.

Biddle signed a minor-league contract with the Diamondbacks on Tuesday.

Biddle pitched in Japan in 2022, holding a 2.83 ERA and 68:34 K:BB over 57.1 frames for the Orix Buffaloes. The 31-year-old left-hander last appeared in the majors with Atlanta in 2021 when he posted an 8.44 ERA over eight appearances. Biddle is a bat-misser but has always been held back by a lack of control.

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

It's not clear whether Yamamoto has been given an invitation to major-league spring training. The 26-year-old spent all of 2022 in the minor leagues with the Mets, with his most extensive action coming at Double-A Binghamton where he posted a 4.55 ERA over 31.2 innings.

Alexy was designated for assignment Monday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

This move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Michael Taylor, who was acquired from the Royals on Monday in exchange for Steven Cruz and Evan Sisk. Alexy appeared in five games for the Rangers in 2022, allowing nine runs on 10 hits and nine walks while fanning six over seven innings of work. He was then traded to the Twins from the Rangers on Jan. 10.

Leiter elected free agency Sunday.

Leiter was outrighted to Triple-A Iowa over the weekend after he went unclaimed off waivers when the Cubs designated him for assignment. The right-hander will likely draw some interest on the market after posting a 3.99 ERA and 73:25 K:BB in 67.2 innings at the big-league level for Chicago in 2022 over 35 appearances.

Law re-signed Monday with the Reds on a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to MLB spring training.

Law elected free agency in November after the Reds dropped him from their 40-man roster, but he'll be rejoining the organization in 2023 and will get the chance to battle for a spot in the big club's Opening Day bullpen. The 32-year-old right-hander made 17 appearances in the majors in 2022 between Cincinnati and Detroit, logging a 4.12 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 17:8 K:BB across 19.2 innings.

Cyr signed a minor-league contract with the Dodgers on Saturday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Cyr made 12 relief appearances last season for the Phillies and Athletics, posting a 2.70 ERA in his first taste of the big leagues at age 29. It's not much of a track record, and Cyr won't be anything more than a non-roster invitee this spring, but he'll have a chance to earn a roster spot if he proves his strong debut was no fluke.