MLB Player News

Johnson (elbow) was added to the Orioles' 40-man roster Tuesday.

It's a testament to Johnson's stuff that the Orioles not only traded for him at the deadline in the three-team trade that sent Trey Mancini to Houston and Jose Siri to Tampa Bay while knowing he needed Tommy John surgery, but they will protect him from the Rule 5 draft while he recovers despite the fact he has never pitched above High-A. Given the timing of the surgery and Johnson's lack upper-level work, it will be a small margin of error for him to make it as a big-league starter, but he could be a devastating reliever if his stuff returns to pre-injury form.

Rom was added to the Orioles' 40-man roster Tuesday.

One of Baltimore's top lefty pitching prospects, Rom missed plenty of bats last year at Double-A and Triple-A (144 strikeouts in 120 innings), but he also had a 1.48 WHIP. More development is needed before he can be expected to have sustained success against big-league hitters, but he could make his big-league debut sometime in 2023.

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

One of the Rangers' best pitching prospects, White was great at High-A and Double-A last season before forearm fatigue shelved him for most of the second half. If White can stay healthy and handle a starter's workload (career-high 80.1 innings last season), he could be a mid-rotation starter.

Soriano was added to the Angels' 40-man roster Tuesday.

Soriano made only seven appearances between rookie ball and Single-A during the 2022 campaign, as he was sidelined for the first four months of the season while he rehabbed from Tommy John surgery. The Angels moved him to the 40-man roster in order to protect him from the upcoming Rule 5 draft.

Walter was added to Boston's 40-man roster Tuesday, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

The 26-year-old southpaw dominated in nine starts at Double-A (2.88 ERA, 68:3 K:BB in 50 innings) before struggling in two starts at Triple-A and missing the rest of the season with a neck strain. He has resumed throwing and should be ready for spring training. If Walter regains his form from Double-A, he could pitch in the big-league rotation in 2023.

Murphy was added to the Red Sox's 40-man roster Tuesday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Murphy is one of Boston's top pitching prospects, and the organization added him to the 40-man roster in order to protect him from the upcoming Rule 5 draft. The 24-year-old split 2022 between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester, and he had a 4.03 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 149:72 K:BB across 152 innings between the two levels.

Harris was added to the Athletics' 40-man roster Tuesday.

Harris turns 26 in December and has made just eight starts at Triple-A, logging a 6.35 ERA, 1.69 WHIP and 39:17 K:BB in 28.1 innings. Given his control issues and age, it might make sense for Harris to work in low-leverage situations out of the big-league bullpen at some point in 2023.

Berroa was added to Seattle's 40-man roster Tuesday.

The move means Berroa won't be available in the Rule 5 draft. While Berroa is now a step closer to his big-league debut, it's unlikely he pushes for a spot on the Opening Day roster. He's yet to reach the Triple-A level, and while he struck out 35.6 percent of opposing batters in nine starts for Double-A Arkansas, he also walked 16.8 percent, more than double the major-league average.

Campbell was added to Seattle's 40-man roster Tuesday.

A 25-year-old righty who has not yet pitched above Double-A, Campbell is a quality reliever prospect who could move quickly. He logged 11 saves and 59 strikeouts in 46 innings across High-A and Double-A.

Brentz (elbow) was designated for assignment by the Royals on Tuesday.

Brentz made just eight relief appearances last season before hitting the injured list with elbow issues. He began a rehab assignment in mid-June but paused it soon after and eventually underwent Tommy John surgery in late July. The timing of the procedure means he'll miss the majority or perhaps the entirety of the 2023 season. He'll manage his recovery while no longer a member of the 40-man roster, as the Royals elected to clear space to protect another player from the Rule 5 draft.