MLB Player News

The Athletics selected Jimenez with the 18th pick of the Rule 5 draft.

Jimenez, who turns 27 later this month, was selected by the other Bay Area team in last year's Rule 5 draft before eventually being returned to the Blue Jays after giving up a run while striking out one in 1.1 innings (two appearances) with the Giants. He logged a 1.87 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 46 strikeouts in 33.2 innings at Double-A in 2019.

Cleveland selected Stephan with the 15th pick of the Rule 5 draft.

Once a prominent prospect with the Yankees, Stephan struggled while working as a starter once he was promoted above High-A back in 2018. His fastball/slider combo appealed to Cleveland, and he could have a future as a quality big-league reliever if he can throw enough strikes.

Athletics general manager David Forst said Wednesday that Diekman is the top internal candidate to close for the team in 2021, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

"Internal" is the operative word here, as the Athletics are still expected to look outside the organization for late-inning help this offseason with incumbent closer Liam Hendriks unlikely to re-sign with the team. That being said, the Athletics historically haven't been willing to dole out big-money contracts to relievers, so any bullpen reinforcements they bring in likely won't have a clear path to the closer's role. Diekman should at least be given a chance to compete for the ninth-inning job after he delivered a career-best season in 2020, finishing with a 0.42 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 31:12 K:BB across 21.1 innings.

Kittredge signed a minor-league deal with the Rays on Monday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

It looked like he was trending toward Tommy John surgery in mid-August, but it seems like Kittredge was able to make a full recovery from a sprained UCL without going under the knife. He has thrown three full-go bullpen sessions and will report to camp with no restrictions. Kittredge will provide organizational bullpen depth.

The Reds traded Iglesias and cash to the Angels on Monday in exchange for reliever Noe Ramirez and a player to be named later or cash.

Iglesias served as the Reds' primary closer for the better part of the last four seasons, accruing 100 saves to go with a 2.95 ERA and 11.0 K/9 over that stretch. The 30-year-old looks like the early favorite to open the upcoming season as the Angels' closer, especially after the Halos unsuccessfully cycled through a number of ninth-inning options during the 2020 campaign. This was a cost-cutting measure for Cincinnati, though the club is expected to cover some of the $9.13 million Iglesias is owed in 2021, the final year of his contract.

Rogers agreed to a one-year, $6 million deal with the Twins on Wednesday, avoiding arbitration, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

The Twins missed the deadline to announce the move, but apparently the two sides did agree to terms. As things stand, Rogers would enter the year as the Twins' closer, with Tyler Duffey set to serve as setup man. However, the contending Twins will likely bring in some reinforcements in free agency that could shake up the pecking order.

Heller (biceps) signed a one-year contract with the Yankees on Wednesday to avoid arbitration.

The 29-year-old appeared in six games for the Yankees in 2020 and gave up two runs on five hits with a 6:2 K:BB over six innings before eventually landing on the injured list. Heller has only 31.1 innings to his name over the past four seasons with New York.

Armstrong agreed to a one-year deal with the Orioles on Wednesday, avoiding arbitration.

He logged a 1.80 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 14 strikeouts in 15 innings last season -- a major rebound from the 5.74 ERA and 1.64 WHIP he posted in 2019 with the Mariners and Orioles. Armstrong doesn't figure to open the year with a chance at saves, but he could earn some opportunities as the year goes on.

Brasier agreed to a one-year, $1.25 million contract with the Red Sox on Wednesday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

The Red Sox lack a proven closer on the roster, with Matt Barnes positioned as the likely ninth-inning option if they do not add anyone more seasoned, so Brasier could earn late-inning work in 2021. The 33-year-old righty had a 3.96 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 30 strikeouts in 25 innings last season.

Pruitt (elbow) agreed to a one-year, $617,500 contract with the Astros on Wednesday, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

He underwent surgery in September to repair a hairline fracture in his elbow, but he is supposed to be available sometime early in the 2021 season. Pruitt profiles as a swing man or long reliever for Houston.