MLB Player News

Ramirez signed a minor-league contract Tuesday with the Yankees that includes an invitation to major-league spring training.

Ramirez spent the 2022 season with the Triple-A affiliate of the Mariners and worked to a 2.93 ERA and 53:13 K:BB ratio in 55.1 innings. The former first baseman will function as organizational relief depth for New York heading into the 2023 campaign.

Romano will not participate in the World Baseball Classic for Team Italy, Jamie Campbell of Sportsnet reports.

Romano also was offered an opportunity to pitch for Team Canada in the tournament, but declined that chance as well. The right-handed closer had announced that he was going to be a part of the Italian team back in 2022, but he'll instead spend the start of the Grapefruit League in Toronto's camp.

Vespi (abdomen) expects to be ready for Opening Day, Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Vespi underwent sports hernia surgery in early January, and he appears to be progressing well. Recovery from the procedure will prevent him from pitching for Italy in the World Baseball Classic, but he doesn't expect to be limited beyond that.

Bukauskas cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Tacoma on Friday.

After being claimed by the Mariners in mid-January and DFA'd Tuesday, Bukauskas is now set to begin 2023 in the Mariners' farm system and attend major-league spring training as a non-roster invitee. The 26-year-old right-hander recorded a 2.79 ERA and 1.31 WHIP through 19.1 Triple-A innings last season.

Hamilton signed a minor-league contract with the Yankees on Friday.

Hamilton elected free agency after being outrighted off the Guardians' 40-man roster at the end of the season. The right-hander also pitched in the Twins' organization in 2022 and forged a 3.61 ERA over 38 appearances with Triple-A St. Paul and Columbus with a 60:19 K:BB. He'll need to be added to the 40-man roster in order to make any appearances with the Yankees in 2023.

German was traded to the White Sox from the Red Sox on Friday in exchange for Theo Denlinger.

After being designated for assignment Monday to make room on Boston's roster for Richard Bleier, German will now attempt to carve out a role for himself in Chicago's bullpen. The 25-year-old righty cracked the majors for the first time last season, though he allowed eight earned runs over just four innings of work. German will more than likely begin the season in Triple-A again, where he put up a 2.58 ERA and 0.94 WHIP through 38.1 frames in 2022.

Flores signed a minor-league contract with the Rangers on Friday.

Flores made a total of three relief appearances from 2020-21 for the White Sox and Cardinals. He split time in 2022 between the Mexican League and Triple-A Louisville in the Reds organization. The lefty will give the Rangers some potential swingman depth.

Misiewicz was designated for assignment by the Royals on Friday.

The club needed to free up a spot on the 40-man roster for the re-signing of Zack Greinke. Misiewicz pitched pretty well for Kansas City down the stretch last season after being acquired via trade from the Mariners, posting a 4.11 ERA and 19:4 K:BB over 15.1 innings. It's the second time since July that the left-hander has been designated for assignment.

Hall will enter spring training as a starting pitcher, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

All but one of Hall's 11 appearances late last season came in relief, but he'll head into spring training as one of 12 competitors for five spots in Baltimore's rotation. The dynamic lefty might ultimately wind up in the bullpen over the long haul if he can't improve his control and command, but there's no reason to pull the plug on him as a starter yet. O's general manager Mike Elias wasn't ready to say Friday whether Hall might move to the bullpen if he doesn't win a rotation spot, or if he'd head to Triple-A Norfolk.

Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto said Wednesday that Sewald (elbow/heel) has resumed throwing and should be ready to pitch in games during spring training, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Since he's building back up after undergoing a cleanup procedure on his right elbow early in the offseason as well as an additional procedure on his heel, Sewald may be slightly behind Seattle's other relievers when he reports to camp, but he looks as though he'll be ready to go by the time the Mariners open their Cactus League slate. Sewald led Seattle with 20 saves in 2022 and looks like the best bet to open the season as the team's preferred end-game option, though manager Scott Servais is still expected to take a committee approach to the ninth inning. Andres Munoz and Diego Castillo are also candidates to factor into the mix at closer.