MLB Player News

Castillo (elbow) signed a minor-league contract with the Padres on Sunday that includes an invite to major-league spring training.

Castillo underwent Tommy John surgery in March of 2021 and was cut loose by the Padres in late November. While he likely won't be cleared for game action by the start of the regular season, he'll get to rehab with the big-league squad this spring.

Sadzeck, who signed a minor-league contract with the Brewers on Dec. 1, has received an invitation to MLB spring training.

The 30-year-old right-hander last appeared in the majors in 2019 with the Mariners, making 20 relief appearances while posting a 2.66 ERA and 27:15 K:BB across 23.2 innings. He's struggled to bounce back from a serious elbow injury suffered that same season, however, as he missed the entire 2020 campaign and turned in middling numbers (4.84 ERA, 1.50 WHIP in 44.2 innings) at the Triple-A level in 2021.

Wittgren agreed to a one-year, $1.2 million contract with the Cardinals on Sunday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Wittgren elected free agency after being outrighted off Cleveland's 40-man roster in November, and he'll continue his career in St. Louis. The right-hander posted a 5.05 ERA over 62.1 frames during 2021 but had a 2.97 ERA over the previous three years, and the Cardinals will undoubtedly hope he can rediscover that form.

Manager AJ Hinch said Sunday that Alexander currently lines up as Detroit's No. 5 starter, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Alexander split time between a long-relief role and the rotation in 2021 with starts in 15 of 41 appearances, and he finished with a 3.81 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 87:28 K:BB across 106.1 innings. The left-hander could revert to that role for 2022 if the Tigers bring aboard any additional free agents over the next couple weeks, but at this point he's poised to open the campaign as a starter.

Ottavino agreed to a one-year, $4 million contract with the Mets on Sunday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

After spending the 2019 and 2020 seasons in the Bronx, the New York native will now move on to the Big Apple's other team in what marks the fifth big-league stop of his career. Ottavino most recently spent the 2021 campaign in Boston, with whom he served as a part-time closer on his way to gathering 11 saves to go with a 4.71 ERA and 1.45 WHIP across 62 innings. Aside from issuing too many free passes (12.7 BB), Ottavino generally delivered solid peripherals (3.71 xERA, 25.7 K%, 0.7 HR/9), so he should remain a serviceable bullpen piece for the Mets. He'll likely face a tougher path to saves in New York, however, as Edwin Diaz is locked in as the team's closer and Trevor May and Seth Lugo both profile as quality setup options.

Moore agreed Sunday with the Rangers on a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to MLB spring training, independent baseball journalist Jeff Wilson reports.

Moore will be embarking on his second stint with the Rangers, after he previously spent the 2018 campaign in Texas, with whom he posted a 6.79 ERA and 1.66 WHIP over 102 innings. The Rangers have since opened a more pitcher-friendly ballpark, but the fact that Moore is now four years older and attending camp as a non-roster invitee makes it an uphill battle for him to claim a rotation spot with the big club, much less find success in his second tour with Texas. Moore at least appears to be healthy again, after he finished the 2021 campaign on the Phillies' injured list with a low-back strain. Before being shut down, he made 24 appearances (13 starts) for the Phillies, submitting a 6.29 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 63:38 K:BB in 73 frames.

Chavez agreed to a contract Sunday with the Cubs, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports. He will join the team on a minor-league/split contract, according to Gordon Wittenmyer of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Though the 38-year-old right-hander will be attending Cubs camp as a non-roster invitee, he's not only a good bet to make the Opening Day roster, but to also fill a prominent role out of the bullpen right away. Chavez proved to be a quality middle-inning option for the World Series champion Atlanta squad in 2021, submitting a 2.14 ERA and 1.01 WHIP while striking out 36 over 33.2 innings. He'll give a talent-barren Cubs bullpen a setup option for presumptive closer Rowan Wick after Codi Heuer (elbow) recently underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery.

Strahm (knee) agreed Sunday with the Red Sox on a one-year contract, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports. The contract is worth $3 million, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network.

The deal won't be made official until Strahm passes a physical, but the Red Sox presumably expect him to receive full medical clearance after he finished the 2021 campaign on the Padres' injured list due to right knee inflammation. Durability was an issue for Strahm during his final two seasons in San Diego, but when healthy, the 30-year-old lefty has been a quality bullpen arm. Over 260 career big-league innings, Strahm owns a 3.81 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 17.6 K-BB%.

Colome signed a one-year contract with Colorado on Saturday, Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes reports.

Colome's 155 saves give him the coveted "proven closer" label, and he continues to find work in the ninth inning despite the fact that his career 21.7 percent strikeout rate comes in far below typical closer territory. He picked up 17 saves for the Twins last season despite a mediocre 4.15 ERA, and it would hardly be a surprise to see him eclipse that number in 2022. While Coors Field will inflate his ERA and WHIP, he only has to beat out a mediocre mix of Carlos Estevez, Daniel Bard and Robert Stephenson to earn the ninth-inning role. If you want the cheapest path to saves and don't care about getting much else from your closer, Colome could be the answer.

Kelly (biceps) signed a two-year deal with the White Sox on Saturday, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

Kelly strained his biceps while pitching for the Dodgers during the NLCS last fall, and it's not yet clear whether he'll be ready to go by Opening Day. He has the potential to fill a high-leverage role in the Chicago bullpen, as he owns a 2.67 ERA over the last two seasons and a 3.62 mark since becoming a full-time reliever in 2017. It would take multiple injuries or trades for him to get the chance to close, however, as the White Sox have an elite duo at the back of their bullpen in Liam Hendriks and Craig Kimbrel.