MLB Player News

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.

Rodriguez re-signed with the Twins on a minor-league contract Thursday.

Rodriguez made two relief appearances for the Twins in 2022 but spent most of the year at Triple-A St. Paul, where he held a 4.75 ERA and 92:32 K:BB over 94.2 innings. The 30-year-old will provide some rotation depth for Minnesota.

Kay was designated for assignment by the Cubs on Friday.

The team needed to free up a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Trey Mancini. Kay was claimed from the Blue Jays less than a month ago and will now go through the waiver process again. The left-hander missed most of the 2022 season with an undisclosed injury.

Leiter was outrighted to Triple-A Iowa on Thursday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Leiter was designated for assignment by the Cubs last week but will remain with the organization after going unclaimed on waivers. The right-hander made 35 appearances (four starts) in the majors last year and posted a 3.99 ERA, 73:25 K:BB and 1.14 WHIP in 67.2 innings.

Chapman agreed to a one-year, $3.75 million contract with the Royals on Thursday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

He'll have an opportunity to earn more in incentives. Chapman is coming off a disappointing season which saw him put up a 4.46 ERA with just nine saves for the Yankees, but it's possible he'll get another chance to close for the Royals. Scott Barlow should remain Kansas City's closer to open 2023 after he posted a 2.18 ERA last season, but Chapman could push for the job with a strong start to the campaign.

Castano (shoulder) was designated for assignment by the Marlins on Thursday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Castano appeared in 10 games (seven starts) for the Marlins in 2022 and had a 4.04 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 20:9 K:BB across 35.2 innings. He was sidelined for over a month by a concussion after being struck in the head by a comebacker last summer, and he was also diagnosed with a small labrum tear in his shoulder in September. It's unclear if the left-hander will be ready for the start of spring training in February.

Garrett signed a minor-league contract with the Orioles on Thursday.

Garrett elected free agency after recently being outrighted off the Nationals' 40-man roster but winds up staying in the Beltway area. The 30-year-old held a 6.75 ERA over seven relief appearances for the Nats in 2022.

Burdi agreed Wednesday with the Rays on a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to MLB spring training, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Once seen as a potential bullpen ace while he was a prospect in the White Sox system, Burdi has beset by numerous injuries in recent years and would do well just to resurface in the majors in a low-leverage role in 2023. The 27-year-old right-hander hasn't appeared in the big leagues since 2021 and wasn't especially effective over his 13 innings with two of the Nationals' lower-level minor-league affiliates last season, posting a 1.38 ERA but issuing 10 walks.

Heller and the Rays agreed Wednesday on a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to MLB spring training, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Heller has previously made 31 relief appearances in the majors, but none over the past two seasons while missing extensive time due to arm-related injuries. He pitched just 8.2 innings in the minors as a member of the Twins organization in 2022 and surrendered nine earned runs on nine hits and 10 walks.

Kelley agreed to a minor-league deal with the Rays on Wednesday which includes an invitation to spring training, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The right-hander has struggled to a 7.13 ERA in 32 career MLB appearances, including a 6.08 ERA for the Brewers in 2022 over 23.2 innings of work in 18 games. He'll have an outside chance of making the Rays out of spring training with a strong showing in the Grapefruit League.