MLB Player News

Rodriguez re-signed with the Twins on a minor-league contract Thursday.

Rodriguez made two relief appearances for the Twins in 2022 but spent most of the year at Triple-A St. Paul, where he held a 4.75 ERA and 92:32 K:BB over 94.2 innings. The 30-year-old will provide some rotation depth for Minnesota.

Chapman agreed to a one-year, $3.75 million contract with the Royals on Thursday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

He'll have an opportunity to earn more in incentives. Chapman is coming off a disappointing season which saw him put up a 4.46 ERA with just nine saves for the Yankees, but it's possible he'll get another chance to close for the Royals. Scott Barlow should remain Kansas City's closer to open 2023 after he posted a 2.18 ERA last season, but Chapman could push for the job with a strong start to the campaign.

Garrett signed a minor-league contract with the Orioles on Thursday.

Garrett elected free agency after recently being outrighted off the Nationals' 40-man roster but winds up staying in the Beltway area. The 30-year-old held a 6.75 ERA over seven relief appearances for the Nats in 2022.

Burdi agreed Wednesday with the Rays on a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to MLB spring training, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Once seen as a potential bullpen ace while he was a prospect in the White Sox system, Burdi has beset by numerous injuries in recent years and would do well just to resurface in the majors in a low-leverage role in 2023. The 27-year-old right-hander hasn't appeared in the big leagues since 2021 and wasn't especially effective over his 13 innings with two of the Nationals' lower-level minor-league affiliates last season, posting a 1.38 ERA but issuing 10 walks.

Heller and the Rays agreed Wednesday on a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to MLB spring training, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Heller has previously made 31 relief appearances in the majors, but none over the past two seasons while missing extensive time due to arm-related injuries. He pitched just 8.2 innings in the minors as a member of the Twins organization in 2022 and surrendered nine earned runs on nine hits and 10 walks.

Kelley agreed to a minor-league deal with the Rays on Wednesday which includes an invitation to spring training, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The right-hander has struggled to a 7.13 ERA in 32 career MLB appearances, including a 6.08 ERA for the Brewers in 2022 over 23.2 innings of work in 18 games. He'll have an outside chance of making the Rays out of spring training with a strong showing in the Grapefruit League.

The Mariners claimed Bukauskas off waivers from Arizona on Tuesday.

After being designated for assignment by the Diamondbacks on Wednesday, Bukauskas will now get another chance to contribute to a major-league pitching staff with Seattle. Bukauskas spent the first few months of last season on the injured list, but was able to return and post a 2.79 ERA and 1.31 WHIP through 19.1 frames with Triple-A Reno. To make room for the 26-year-old reliever, the Mariners designated Alberto Rodriguez for assignment.

Ortega cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A St. Paul by the Twins on Tuesday.

Ortega will remain in the organization after being designated for assignment and has been invited to major-league spring training. The 26-year-old had been a waiver claim of the Twins earlier this month.

Bristo signed a minor-league contract with the Rays on Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Bristo has been given an invitation to major-league spring training as part of the deal. The 28-year-old spent last season at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in the Yankees organization, posting a 4.56 ERA and 64:31 K:BB over 53.1 relief innings. He has yet to reach the majors.

Wingenter (back) signed a minor-league contract with the Tigers on Sunday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Wingenter's deal includes an invitation to big-league spring training, where the 28-year-old should get the chance to compete for a spot in Detroit's Opening Day bullpen. After undergoing back surgery in September 2021, Wingenter was non-tendered by the Padres and caught on with the Reds on a minor-league deal last offseason. Wingenter never ended up seeing action for any of the Reds' minor-league affiliates in 2022, but he was presumably able to pass his physical with Detroit and should report to spring training at full health. Over 73 career relief appearances in the majors, Wingenter owns a 5.14 ERA and 20.1 K-BB%.