MLB Player News

Munoz (ankle) threw a bullpen session Tuesday, Corey Brock of The Athletic reports.

Munoz was immobilized for 12 weeks (six in a cast, six in a walking boot) following surgery shortly after the season to fuse two bones together in his right ankle. However, he began a throwing program a while ago and has now progressed to mound work. Barring any setbacks, the hard-throwing reliever will be ready to roll for Opening Day.

Alcala (elbow) threw a bullpen session Tuesday in Twins camp, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Alcala required arthroscopic debridement surgery last August on his right elbow, but he appears to be 100 percent now and could quickly return to a high-leverage relief role this season in Minnesota. The 27-year-old boasts a 3.39 ERA with 91 strikeouts in 87.2 career major-league innings.

The Astros claimed Gage off waivers from the Blue Jays on Monday.

The addition of Gage fills the final opening on the Astros' 40-man roster. Before the Blue Jays designated him for assignment earlier this month, Gage posted a 1.38 ERA over 13 innings with the big club to go with a 2.34 ERA in 41 appearances at Triple-A Buffalo in 2022. The lefty will get a chance to win one of the final spots in the Houston bullpen during the Grapefruit League.

Adam won his arbitration case Saturday against the Rays and will make $1.775 million in 2023, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The team filed at $1.55 million when arbitration figures were exchanged in November. Adam is still believed to be a candidate for a springtime contract extension. He registered a sparkling 1.56 ERA, 0.76 WHIP and 75:17 K:BB over 63.1 regular-season innings for the Rays in 2022. He earned eight saves along the way and is expected to get even more opportunities at closer this year.

Joyce was invited Friday to MLB spring training by the Angels, Sarah Valenzuela of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Joyce was a third-round pick by the Angels out of Tennessee, and the right-hander is renowned for a fastball that has been clocked as high as 105 mph. The 22-year-old made 13 appearances for Double-A Rocket City after being drafted, and he recorded a 20:4 K:BB with a 2.08 ERA over 13 innings. Joyce isn't likely to make the Angels out of spring training, but his electric stuff gives him a chance to help before 2023 ends, and he just might be the closer of the future in Los Angeles.

Sadzeck signed a minor-league contract with the Twins on Friday.

Sadzeck holds a 2.75 ERA over 35 appearances at the major-league level, although that's come with 27 walks over 36 innings. The 31-year-old has spent the majority of the last two seasons in the minors and figures to begin 2023 at Triple-A St. Paul.

Nolin signed a minor-league contract with the Twins on Friday.

Nolin spent 2022 in Korea with the Kia Tigers, putting up a 2.47 ERA in 21 starts. The left-hander got into 10 games with the Nationals in 2021 following a five-year major-league absence.

Fulmer signed a minor-league contract with the Mariners on Friday.

It's not clear whether he's been invited to major-league spring training. The 29-year-old spent all of 2022 at Triple-A Oklahoma City in the Dodgers organization, posting a 2.86 ERA in 49 appearances. Fulmer, a first-round pick of the White Sox in 2015, has never found his footing at the big-league level, holding a 6.41 ERA across parts of six seasons.

Puckett signed a minor-league contract with the Mariners on Thursday.

Puckett was a second-round pick of the Royals in the 2016 MLB Draft, but he has yet to appear in a game above the Double-A level and is now entering his age-28 season. The right-hander will function as organizational relief depth for Seattle in 2023.

Webb signed a minor-league contract Thursday with the Twins.

It does not include an invitation to the major-league side of Twins camp this spring. Webb struggled mightily with the Cardinals in 2021 and pitched for the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League in 2022.