MLB Player News

Boston manager Alex Cora has not yet named a closer, a role that Barnes filled for much of the 2021 season, Christopher Smith of Mass Live reports.

When asked about the team's closer this season, Cora simply responded, "We'll see on April 7 (Opening Day)." Barnes was an All-Star in 2021 but fell apart in the second half of the season. He allowed 12 earned runs in 10 innings (10.13 ERA) over his final 16 outings, while opponents batted .340 against him. Cora said the Barnes worked on a few things over the offseason, and he's looked good throwing thus far. The team will work to get the right-handed reliever back on track and, as Cora described it, "back to the mentality of attacking, attacking, attacking."

Diekman is expected to finalize a multi-year contract with the Red Sox during the upcoming week, pending a physical, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

The exact details of Diekman's deal with Boston aren't known, but he'll give the team a much-needed lefty reliever out of the bullpen. While with the Athletics in 2021, Diekman posted a 3.86 ERA, .211 batting average against and 1.34 WHIP over 60.2 innings while fanning 31.7 percent of batters faced.

Hatch will be viewed as a starting pitcher during spring training, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The Blue Jays have bolstered their starting rotation during the offseason, most recently by adding Yusei Kikuchi on Saturday. As a result, Hatch is a long shot to earn a spot in the starting rotation after spending most of last season at Triple-A Buffalo. Even if the right-hander is unable to secure a spot on the Blue Jays' Opening Day roster, he'll likely be one of the team's top options to serve as a spot starter after stretching out during spring training.

Kay will be treated as a starting pitcher this spring, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Kay made 11 appearances (five starts) for the Blue Jays in 2021 and posted a 5.61 ERA and 1.66 WHIP in 33.2 innings. He's a long shot to begin the regular season as a starter, especially after the Blue Jays signed Yusei Kikuchi on Saturday. However, the southpaw is one of several pitchers who will be stretched out as starters during the team's spring training, and he'll be one of the top options to serve as a spot starter in 2022.

Pearson (groin) will be treated as a starting pitcher this spring, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Pearson worked mainly as a reliever last year and gained increased competition for a starting role when the Blue Jays signed Yusei Kikuchi on Saturday. However, the right-handed Pearson is still one of several pitchers who will be stretched out as starters ahead of the regular season. Pearson should be healthy to begin camp after undergoing surgery to repair a sports hernia in early November, and the team was pleased with how he performed to close out the 2021 campaign.

Garcia will be a late arrival to spring training due to visa issues, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Garcia landed a two-year contract with the Blue Jays shortly before the lockout, but he'll have a delayed start to camp due to his visa issues. It's not yet clear how long the right-hander will be away from the team or whether his absence will impact his availability to begin the regular season.

Armstrong signed a minor-league contract with the Marlins on Sunday that includes an invite to major-league spring training, Craig Mish of SportsGrid.com reports.

Armstrong made 31 relief appearances for the Rays and Orioles last year and posted a 6.75 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in 36 innings. The right-hander will compete for a spot in the Marlins' bullpen ahead of Opening Day in 2022.

Pruitt signed a minor-league contract with the Athletics on Sunday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Pruitt made six major-league appearances between the Marlins and Astros in 2021 and posted a 3.68 ERA and 0.95 WHIP in 7.1 innings. He'll compete for a bullpen spot with the Athletics during big-league camp this spring, but he shouldn't have a high-leverage role if he reaches the majors at some point.

Almonte signed a minor-league contract with the Dodgers on Sunday that includes an invite to major-league spring training, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Almonte spent the first four years of his major-league career in Colorado, and he made a career-high 48 relief appearances for the Rockies in 2021. During that time, he posted a career-worst 7.55 ERA and 1.59 WHIP in 47.2 innings and blew all three of his save chances. The right-hander will earn $1.5 million if he earns a big-league roster spot with the Dodgers in 2022.

Boxberger agreed to a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Brewers on Sunday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Coming off a strong season and with 81 career saves under his belt, Boxberger could have been a closer had he landed on a different team in free agency. However, he should reprise his role as a setup man in Milwaukee, barring any trades or injuries to Josh Hader and/or Devin Williams. Boxberger logged a 3.34 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 21.8 K-BB% in 64.2 innings last season. He also chipped in five wins and four saves across 71 appearances.