MLB Player News

Lawrence re-signed Monday with the Blue Jays on a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to major-league spring training.

Lawrence made 39 big-league appearances (two starts) between the Blue Jays and Mariners during the 2071 and 2018 seasons, then spent at year overseas in Japan before bouncing around between affiliated and independent ball the past two seasons. He rejoined the Toronto organization last May and spent time between Triple-A Buffalo and Double-A New Hampshire, submitting a 4.40 ERA and 1.12 WHIP across 86 innings. The Blue Jays likely view the 34-year-old as quality starting pitching depth in the upper levels of the minors, but he'll face an uphill battle to resurface in the big leagues at any point in 2022.

The Blue Jays signed De Leon to a minor-league contract Monday that includes an invitation to major-league spring training.

He'll presumably get the chance to compete for a spot in the Toronto bullpen this spring, but the 29-year-old is more likely than not to report to Triple-A Buffalo before the regular season gets underway. He posted an 8.35 ERA and 1.80 WHIP across 18.1 innings at the big-league level with the Reds last season before getting released in July and linking up with the Red Sox on a minor-league deal shortly thereafter.

Garcia agreed to a two-year, $11 million contract with the Blue Jays on Saturday, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

The 31-year-old righty has a 3.53 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 19.9 K-BB% and 16 saves over the past three seasons. He notched 15 saves for Miami last season before getting traded to the Astros. Jordan Romano is the presumed closer in Toronto, but Garcia could work in a setup role. The deal includes a club option for a third year.

Neris signed a two-year, $17 million deal with the Astros on Saturday, Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Neris was perhaps miscast as a closer during his eight years in Philadelphia, and he probably won't add significantly to his 84 career saves with his new team unless Ryan Pressly gets injured. That said, he has a lot to offer as a setup man and doesn't appear to be slowing down as he heads into his age-33 season. He finished 2021 with a 3.63 ERA in 74.1 innings, with a strong 31.6 percent strikeout rate and above-average 47.1 percent groundball rate offsetting a 10.3 percent walk rate.

Young cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Columbus on Wednesday.

Young was cast off Cleveland's 40-man roster last week but went unclaimed on waivers and will remain in the organization. It wouldn't be surprising to see him serve as a non-roster invitee during spring training after he made 40 appearances (two starts) in the majors last year.

The Guardians outrighted Garza to Triple-A Columbus on Wednesday.

Garza was one of three Guardians players who cleared waivers Wednesday after recently being removed from the 40-man roster. The 27-year-old right-hander should still be in line for an invitation to big-league spring training, but his lack of a 40-man spot will make it tough for him to secure a spot in Cleveland's Opening Day bullpen. He made 21 relief appearances for Cleveland in 2021, submitting a 4.71 ERA and 1.57 WHIP in 28.2 innings.

The Orioles claimed Perez off waivers from the Reds on Wednesday.

Perez, 25, will be moving on to the third organization of his professional career after stops with Houston and Cincinnati. After being acquired by the Reds last January, Perez split time between the big club and Triple-A Louisville in 2021, making 25 appearances out of the bullpen at the MLB level while posting a 6.38 ERA and a 25:20 K:BB over 24 innings. Trimming his 18 percent walk rate will be essential for Perez to find any success while he moves to Baltimore, but as a lefty with a live arm, he's an interesting flier for an Orioles squad short on relief talent.

Graveman and the White Sox agreed to terms on a contract expected to be worth around $24 million over three years, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

Graveman signed a one-year, $1.25 million deal last offseason, but it doesn't take much for a reliever to significantly increase his value. The 30-year-old did that in a big way in 2021, posting a 1.77 ERA in 56 regular-season innings for the Mariners and Astros before following it up with a 1.64 ERA in 11 postseason frames. His underlying numbers don't indicate he was quite that dominant but still paint a picture of a solid setup man, as he was well above average in both strikeout rate (27.5 percent) and groundball rate (54.9 percent). A setup role is presumably what he'll fill in Chicago, as the team already employs both Liam Hendriks and Craig Kimbrel.

Loup signed a two-year, $17 million contract with the Angels on Monday.

Loup had a dominant season with the Mets in 2021 and registered 16 holds while posting a 0.95 ERA and 0.94 WHIP in 56.2 innings across 65 appearances (two starts). Several of the Angels' late relievers became free agents following the 2021 campaign, so the southpaw is a candidate to serve in a high-leverage role in 2022.

Young was designated for assignment by Cleveland on Friday.

Young made 40 appearances (two starts) with Arizona and Cleveland during the 2021 campaign. He posted a 6.58 ERA and 1.77 WHIP in 52 innings and will now lose his place on the 40-man roster.