MLB Player News

Clevinger and the White Sox came to terms on a one-year contract Sunday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

The former Cleveland starter will make his way back to the American League Central after spending the past two and a half seasons on the West Coast after being acquired by the Padres at the 2020 trade deadline. Clevinger missed the entire 2021 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, but he was cleared early in the 2022 campaign and staged a relatively smooth comeback from the procedure. Over 114 innings with the Friars, Clevinger compiled a 4.33 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 91:35 K:BB. Heading into his age-32 season, Clevinger should add some stability to the back end of an otherwise strong rotation that includes 2022 AL Cy Young Award runner-up Dylan Cease, Lance Lynn, Lucas Giolito and Michael Kopech (knee).

Whitlock (hip) is progressing in his rehab program and indicated Monday he is preparing to open the 2023 season as a starter, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

The right-hander started nine games last season but has primarily worked as a reliever since he made his MLB debut in 2021. Whitlock has been effective with a 2.73 ERA across 77 outings, and Boston now plans to move him to the rotation to begin the season. The 26-year-old underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right hip in late September and is expected be ready for spring training as he ramps up his throwing program in December.

Pitching coach Ethan Katz said Thursday that Kopech's (knee) rehab process has been more gradual than expected, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Kopech missed the end of the 2022 season due to a shoulder injury and underwent surgery on his right knee in early October. While he hasn't progressed as quickly as anticipated, the White Sox still expect him to be ready for the start of spring training, and he's expected to be ready to throw 85 pitches over five innings by the time the regular season gets underway.

Macko (undisclosed) was a part of the package that the Mariners traded to the Blue Jays in return for Teoscar Hernandez on Wednesday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Macko will make his way to Toronto after spending the first three years of his career with the Mariners' organization following his selection in the seventh round of the 2019 Draft. The left-hander made eight starts with High-A Everett, compiling a 3.99 ERA and 1.39 WHIP with 60 strikeouts over 38.1 innings. Macko is currently dealing with an undisclosed injury, but when healthy, he'll provide the Blue Jays with another potential long-term option in their rotation.

Cantillo (shoulder) was added to the Guardians' 40-man roster Tuesday.

Cantillo had a 1.93 ERA through 14 outings with Double-A Akron last season but missed the final two months of the campaign with shoulder soreness. The injury won't prevent him from being added to the 40-man roster as Cleveland protects him from the Rule 5 draft.

Bradley was added to the Rays' 40-man roster Tuesday.

Bradley posted a 1.70 ERA over 74.1 innings with Double-A Montgomery to earn a promotion to Triple-A Durham, where he continued to pitch well with a 3.66 ERA. The 21-year-old is one of the Rays' top prospects and could make his major-league debut next year.

Zulueta was added to Toronto's 40-man roster Tuesday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The Blue Jays elected to protect Zulueta from the upcoming Rule 5 draft since he's one of the organization's top pitching prospects. The 24-year-old opened the 2022 campaign at Single-A Dunedin but was able to move his way up to Triple-A Buffalo by the end of the season. Overall he had a 3.72 ERA with 84 strikeouts across 55.2 frames.

Vasquez was added to the Yankees' 40-man roster Tuesday.

Vasquez is one of New York's top pitching prospects and had a 3.90 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 120:41 K:BB across 115.1 innings at Double-A Somerset last season. He's now been protected from being selected by other teams during the upcoming Rule 5 draft.

Olson was added to the Tigers' 40-man roster Tuesday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Olson spent the entirety of 2022 with Double-A Erie, recording a 4.14 ERA and 1.23 WHIP through 119.2 innings. He was placed on the 7-day injured list in September for an undisclosed reason, but there has been nothing to suggest he's in serious danger of missing spring training.

Rodriguez was added to the Orioles' 40-man roster Tuesday.

As arguably the top pitching prospect in the game, this was a forgone conclusion, as it protects Rodriguez from the Rule 5 draft. A Grade 2 lat strain prevented Rodriguez from making his big-league debut last season, but he has essentially nothing left to prove in the minors. The Orioles will have to manage his innings in 2023, as he totaled 75.2 innings last season and is the most promising pitcher in the organization.