MLB Player News

Perez agreed Wednesday with the Nationals on a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to big-league spring training, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Perez elected free agency after being outrighted off the Nationals' 40-man roster in November, but upon exploring his options on the open market, he ultimately decided to return to the Washington organization. He'll get a chance to vie for a spot in Washington's Opening Day bullpen, but he's more realistically ticketed for Triple-A Rochester. He spent the majority of the 2022 campaign at Rochester, submitting a 4.82 ERA and 1.43 WHIP while punching out 61 batters over 46.2 innings.

Banda signed Wednesday with the Nationals on a minor-league deal that includes an invitation to big-league spring training, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

The journeyman left-hander should get the chance to compete for a spot in the Nationals' Opening Day bullpen. He made 32 appearances at the big-league level across stops with the Blue Jays, Yankees and Pirates in 2022, logging a collective 6.75 ERA, 2.10 WHIP and 30:13 K:BB over 26.2 innings.

The Nationals designated Alexy for assignment Wednesday.

Claimed off waivers from the Rangers on Dec. 13, Alexy lasted less than a month on Washington's 40-man roster before ceding his spot to newly signed first baseman/designated hitter Dominic Smith. Assuming he passes through the waiver wire this time around without being scooped up by another organization, the 24-year-old right-hander should still get the opportunity to attend big-league spring training as a non-roster invitee while attempting to stake his claim to a back-end rotation spot for the rebuilding Nationals.

Borucki (forearm) and the Cubs agreed Wednesday on a minor-league deal, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

The contract presumably includes an invitation to big-league spring training, where Borucki will look to compete for a spot in the Cubs' Opening Day bullpen. Before putting himself in consideration for a roster spot with Chicago, the 28-year-old will first have to prove that he's fully past the left forearm strain that sidelined him for the final two months of the 2022 campaign. Prior to getting hurt last season, Borucki made 32 appearances in the majors between the Blue Jays and Mariners, netting a 5.68 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 21:11 K:BB across 25.1 innings.

Nittoli was designated for assignment by the Phillies on Wednesday.

After Philadelphia acquired Erich Uelmen from the Cubs on Wednesday, Nittoli was the odd man out, losing his spot on the 40-man roster. The right-hander spent the majority of the 2022 campaign with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre as a member of the Yankees organization, but he did join the Phillies roster late last year. Nittoli tossed two scoreless innings with Philadelphia in September and could have a shot at joining the big-league roster at some point this summer.

The Phillies acquired Uelmen from the Cubs on Wednesday in exchange for cash considerations.

Uelmen appeared in 25 games with the Cubs last season, producing a 4.67 ERA and 1.37 WHIP with 21 strikeouts over 27 innings. The 26-year-old will provide the Phillies with another right-handed option in their bullpen ahead of Craig Kimbrel, who will likely get the first shot at being the team's closer in 2023. In order to make space on the 40-man roster for Uelmen, Vinny Nittoli was designated for assignment Wednesday.

Kelly signed a minor-league contract with the Guardians on Wednesday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Kelly's deal with Cleveland includes an invitation to big-league spring training in February, allowing the 30-year-old to showcase his talents against major-league caliber batters ahead of the 2023 campaign. The reliever made his big-league debut in 2022, surrendering one earned run while striking out four batters over four innings with the Phillies. With plenty of established arms already part of Philadelphia's bullpen, it seems unlikely Kelly will end up cracking the Opening Day roster.

Carasiti signed a minor-league contract with the Rockies last month.

The deal includes an invitation to major-league spring training. Carasiti, 31, split 2022 between Triple-A Sacramento in the Giants organization and the independent league Long Island Ducks. He came up in the Rockies' system and first reached the majors with them back in 2016.

Logue was designated for assignment by the Tigers on Saturday.

Logue's stay on Detroit's 40-man roster lasted just over a week -- he was claimed off waivers from Oakland on Dec. 23. The lefty will return to waiver purgatory to begin the new year as he makes way for Tyler Nevin. Logue finished with a 6.79 ERA and 1.54 WHIP across 14 appearances (10 starts) for the A's last season.

Coulombe (hip) signed a minor-league contract with the Twins on Friday that includes an invitation to major-league spring training, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

The 33-year-old elected free agency after being outrighted off Minnesota's 40-man roster in October, but he's now back with the organization. Coulombe made only 10 appearances last season before he underwent surgery to repair the labrum in his left hip over the summer. The left-hander was a solid bullpen piece in 2021 with a 3.67 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 33:7 K:BB across 34.1 innings.