MLB Player News

Boston manager Alex Cora has not yet named a closer, a role that Barnes filled for much of the 2021 season, Christopher Smith of Mass Live reports.

When asked about the team's closer this season, Cora simply responded, "We'll see on April 7 (Opening Day)." Barnes was an All-Star in 2021 but fell apart in the second half of the season. He allowed 12 earned runs in 10 innings (10.13 ERA) over his final 16 outings, while opponents batted .340 against him. Cora said the Barnes worked on a few things over the offseason, and he's looked good throwing thus far. The team will work to get the right-handed reliever back on track and, as Cora described it, "back to the mentality of attacking, attacking, attacking."

Diekman is expected to finalize a multi-year contract with the Red Sox during the upcoming week, pending a physical, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

The exact details of Diekman's deal with Boston aren't known, but he'll give the team a much-needed lefty reliever out of the bullpen. While with the Athletics in 2021, Diekman posted a 3.86 ERA, .211 batting average against and 1.34 WHIP over 60.2 innings while fanning 31.7 percent of batters faced.

Hatch will be viewed as a starting pitcher during spring training, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The Blue Jays have bolstered their starting rotation during the offseason, most recently by adding Yusei Kikuchi on Saturday. As a result, Hatch is a long shot to earn a spot in the starting rotation after spending most of last season at Triple-A Buffalo. Even if the right-hander is unable to secure a spot on the Blue Jays' Opening Day roster, he'll likely be one of the team's top options to serve as a spot starter after stretching out during spring training.

Kay will be treated as a starting pitcher this spring, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Kay made 11 appearances (five starts) for the Blue Jays in 2021 and posted a 5.61 ERA and 1.66 WHIP in 33.2 innings. He's a long shot to begin the regular season as a starter, especially after the Blue Jays signed Yusei Kikuchi on Saturday. However, the southpaw is one of several pitchers who will be stretched out as starters during the team's spring training, and he'll be one of the top options to serve as a spot starter in 2022.

Pearson (groin) will be treated as a starting pitcher this spring, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Pearson worked mainly as a reliever last year and gained increased competition for a starting role when the Blue Jays signed Yusei Kikuchi on Saturday. However, the right-handed Pearson is still one of several pitchers who will be stretched out as starters ahead of the regular season. Pearson should be healthy to begin camp after undergoing surgery to repair a sports hernia in early November, and the team was pleased with how he performed to close out the 2021 campaign.

Garcia will be a late arrival to spring training due to visa issues, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Garcia landed a two-year contract with the Blue Jays shortly before the lockout, but he'll have a delayed start to camp due to his visa issues. It's not yet clear how long the right-hander will be away from the team or whether his absence will impact his availability to begin the regular season.

Pruitt signed a minor-league contract with the Athletics on Sunday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Pruitt made six major-league appearances between the Marlins and Astros in 2021 and posted a 3.68 ERA and 0.95 WHIP in 7.1 innings. He'll compete for a bullpen spot with the Athletics during big-league camp this spring, but he shouldn't have a high-leverage role if he reaches the majors at some point.

Manager AJ Hinch said Sunday that Alexander currently lines up as Detroit's No. 5 starter, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Alexander split time between a long-relief role and the rotation in 2021 with starts in 15 of 41 appearances, and he finished with a 3.81 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 87:28 K:BB across 106.1 innings. The left-hander could revert to that role for 2022 if the Tigers bring aboard any additional free agents over the next couple weeks, but at this point he's poised to open the campaign as a starter.

Moore agreed Sunday with the Rangers on a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to MLB spring training, independent baseball journalist Jeff Wilson reports.

Moore will be embarking on his second stint with the Rangers, after he previously spent the 2018 campaign in Texas, with whom he posted a 6.79 ERA and 1.66 WHIP over 102 innings. The Rangers have since opened a more pitcher-friendly ballpark, but the fact that Moore is now four years older and attending camp as a non-roster invitee makes it an uphill battle for him to claim a rotation spot with the big club, much less find success in his second tour with Texas. Moore at least appears to be healthy again, after he finished the 2021 campaign on the Phillies' injured list with a low-back strain. Before being shut down, he made 24 appearances (13 starts) for the Phillies, submitting a 6.29 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 63:38 K:BB in 73 frames.

Strahm (knee) agreed Sunday with the Red Sox on a one-year contract, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports. The contract is worth $3 million, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network.

The deal won't be made official until Strahm passes a physical, but the Red Sox presumably expect him to receive full medical clearance after he finished the 2021 campaign on the Padres' injured list due to right knee inflammation. Durability was an issue for Strahm during his final two seasons in San Diego, but when healthy, the 30-year-old lefty has been a quality bullpen arm. Over 260 career big-league innings, Strahm owns a 3.81 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 17.6 K-BB%.