MLB Player News

Herget elected to become a free agent Friday.

Herget pitched just seven major-league innings in 2022, recording a 7.71 ERA and 1.29 WHIP in the process. Rather than accept an outright to Triple-A Durham, he will instead look to join another club ahead of the 2023 season.

Marinaccio (lower leg) is expected to return if the Yankees advance to the ALCS, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Marinaccio has pitched a bullpen session and is now travelling to Tampa Bay to face live batting practice. The reliever posted an impressive 2.05 ERA and 1.05 WHIP with 56 punchouts over 44 innings in 40 appearances in the regular season and could provide a boost to New York's bullpen if the team is able to advance to the next round of the playoffs.

Reed was claimed off waivers by the Red Sox on Thursday, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

Reed was cast off the Orioles' 40-man roster Tuesday but will land a roster spot with the Red Sox a few days later. The right-hander made 18 appearances between the Mets, Dodgers and Orioles last year and posted a 7.02 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in 16.2 innings.

Bazardo was designated for assignment by the Red Sox on Thursday, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

Bazardo spent the final month of the 2022 campaign on Boston's major-league roster and posted a 2.76 ERA and 0.98 WHIP in 16.1 innings over 12 appearances. However, he'll lose his spot on the 40-man roster after Jake Reed was claimed off waivers from the Orioles on Thursday.

The Rays outrighted Herget to Triple-A Durham on Oct. 6.

Herget will remain in the organization after he cleared waivers for the third time in the less than three months after being designated for assignment. The 31-year-old right-hander ended up making three appearances for the Rays during his rookie season, giving up six earned runs over seven frames.

Ward was removed from his start Monday in the Arizona Fall League due to side discomfort, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

While the side injury might be significant enough to keep Ward out for the remainder of the AFL slate, the Red Sox are likely just relieved that the right-hander isn't dealing with any arm-related setbacks after undergoing Tommy John surgery in June 2021. Due to his prolonged recovery from the elbow procedure, Ward made just seven starts for Double-A Portland this season and was expected to pick up more innings in the AFL. The 25-year-old is expected to either return to Portland to begin the 2023 campaign or join the Triple-A Worcester rotation.

Smeltzer was placed on outright waivers by the Twins on Tuesday, Brandon Warne of Access Twins reports.

Smeltzer spent the majority of the 2022 season with the Twins, and he maintained a respectable 3.71 ERA and 1.22 WHIP across 70.1 innings. However, his contact-heavy approach resulted in some inconsistent performances, as he allowed six or more earned runs in two of his 12 starts. Smeltzer will now be subjected to waivers and could find a new club relatively quickly.

Reed was designated for assignment by the Orioles on Tuesday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

After a 2022 season that saw Reed record a 7.02 ERA while bouncing between three different teams, he has now been cast off Baltimore's 40-man roster to make room for Jake Cave. Unless he is claimed by another team, Reed will almost certainly begin 2023 in Triple-A where he had a respectable 3.37 ERA and 1.27 WHIP over 21.1 innings.

Manager Aaron Boone said Holmes (shoulder) is available to close Game 1 of the ALDS against the Guardians on Tuesday, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Holmes has been held out of action since the end of September with a strained right shoulder. After his recent throwing sessions went "really well," according to Boone, Holmes is now cleared for postseason action. The 2022 campaign marked a career year for the 29-year-old righty, as he recorded a 2.54 ERA and 1.02 WHIP over 63.2 innings during the regular season.

Smith will not be on the Astros' roster for the ALDS against the Mariners.

Smith owns an excellent 1.47 ERA in 18.1 career postseason innings. His absence from this series may be due more to strategic reasons than anything else, as the Astros elected not to carry a single left-handed reliever.