MLB Player News

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.

Toussaint was designated for assignment by the Angels on Tuesday.

Toussaint made eight appearances for the Angels last season and had a 4.62 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 26:19 K:BB across 25.1 innings. The right-hander began the season with Atlanta before being shipped cross country, and he was unable to prove that he warranted spot on the 40-man roster through the offseason.

Winn was added to the Rangers' 40-man roster Tuesday.

There were high expectations for Winn last season and he fell flat, logging a 6.51 ERA in 121.2 innings at Triple-A. Pedigree (15th overall pick in 2018) and youth (turns 23 this month) are still on his side, but he will need make some adjustments or improvements ahead of next season.

Kent was added to the Rangers' 40-man roster Tuesday.

Kent has a hammer curveball that plays as a plus pitch when he is locating his low-to-mid-90s fastball. Considering he will turn 25 in February and has made just five starts at Triple-A, the clock is ticking on Kent to make it as a starting pitcher. However, he could have a nice fall-back plan as a setup man if he is moved to relief.

Thomas was added to the Cardinals' 40-man roster Tuesday.

The 24-year-old southpaw lacks upside (17.9 percent strikeout rate at Triple-A), but he is close to being ready to help the big-league club in some capacity. Thomas had a 5.47 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 110 strikeouts in 135 innings across 28 appearances this past season.

Irvin's contract was selected by the Nationals on Tuesday.

In his first season since undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2020, Irvin spent most of 2022 in Double-A Harrisburg, where he put up a 4.79 ERA and 1.18 WHIP over 73.1 innings. He still has work to do, but there's a chance the 25-year-old righty could work his way onto the big-league roster within the next couple of seasons.

Rutledge was added to the Nationals' 40-man roster Tuesday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

At his very best, the No. 17 overall pick from the 2019 draft looks completely dominant, but injuries and poor control have really limited Rutledge's development. He made 20 starts last season at Single-A as a 23-year-old -- a level at which he made six starts in 2019 -- so if anything Rutledge has regressed in recent years. Given his lack of refinement or upper-level experience, it may make sense to eventually develop the 6-foot-8 righty as a reliever.

Eovaldi declined Boston's qualifying offer Tuesday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Eovaldi turned down the one-year, $19.65 million deal in search of a longer contract. He should be able to find one, but his market will be affected by the draft-pick compensation that's now attached to him, as well as the fact that he's heading into his age-33 season and made no more than 21 starts in six of the last seven years, including just 20 last season.

Anderson signed a three-year, $40 million deal with the Angels on Tuesday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

The Dodgers offered Anderson the $19.65 million qualifying offer for 2023, but Anderson will instead move across town and join the Angels' rotation. The 32-year-old lefty is coming off a career year with the Dodgers, recording a 2.57 ERA and 1.00 WHIP over 178.2 innings.

Vines was added to Atlanta's 40-man roster Tuesday.

Vines is one of the more underrated pitching prospects in the upper levels of the minors. The 24-year-old righty had a 3.95 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 21.8 K-BB% in 20 starts at Double-A and made seven appearances at Triple-A to close out 2022. He needs to refine his command and control in order to get a look in Atlanta's rotation at some point next summer.