MLB Player News

Weiss agreed to a minor-league contract with Cleveland on Tuesday.

Weiss has a single MLB appearance under his belt, in which he faced four batters for the Reds back in 2018, walking two and allowing two homers. The 27-year-old spent 2019 in the upper minors in the Twins' system, struggling to a 7.24 ERA.

Puk will start the Athletics' Cactus League opener Saturday against the Cubs, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Puk made a midseason return from Tommy John surgery in 2019 before closing out the year in Oakland's bullpen, finishing the season with a 3.18 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 13 strikeouts across 11.1 innings. The 24-year-old southpaw will be attempting to earn a role in the Athletics' rotation this spring, competing with Chris Bassitt and Jesus Luzardo. Puk received high praise from his catcher Austin Allen following a live batting practice session to hitters Tuesday at Fitch Park in Arizona. "He looked really good, his fastball was there, he was throwing strikes with everything," Allen said. The 2016 first-round pick by Oakland will look to utilize his 6-foot-7 frame and full arsenal of pitches to keep hitters off balance and impress his coaches throughout spring training.

Puk, who is opening spring training without restrictions, will utilize all four of his pitches this season as a starter, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The towering left-hander was effective as a reliever in his first taste of big-league action last season, posting a 2-0 record and 3.18 ERA across 10 appearances while only deploying his fastball and slider. Puk felt some elbow soreness in his rehab from Tommy John surgery last summer when using the changeup, so he laid off the pitch when coming out of the bullpen for the Athletics. However, as the projected No. 5 starter for this coming season, Puk will reincorporate both his changeup and curveball, giving him a full arsenal that pitching coach Scott Emerson feels will give hitters "a completely different dynamic" when facing the promising southpaw.

Graveman (elbow), who last pitched in a major-league game back in May 2018 due to Tommy John surgery, has impressed with his form and expanded pitch repertoire early in camp, Jesse Borek of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander has naturally been limited to only bullpens thus far, but manager Scott Servais has already expressed how impressed he's been with Graveman, who signed a one-year, $1.5 million deal with a club option for 2021 back in late November. In addition to his trademark sinker, Graveman is expected to also mix in a changeup with much greater frequency, a pitch he had the time to refine during what was essentially a full rehab year with the Cubs organization in 2019. A strong spring should be enough to secure Graveman a back-end rotation spot on a new-look Mariners staff that will also feature fellow reclamation project Taijuan Walker and the emerging Justus Sheffield.

Fulmer (elbow) said he hopes to throw off a mound sometime in mid-March as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Fulmer was recently transferred to the 60-day injured list as the team made room for the newly signed Cameron Maybin. Fulmer isn't expected to debut until after midseason, and the Tigers will no doubt be cautious with the 26-year-old righty after he missed the entire 2019 campaign.

Loup (elbow) was scheduled to throw a side session during Monday's workout, Josh Tolentino of The Athletic reports.

Loup's ability to take part in mound work this early in spring training seemingly hints that he's moved past the strained left elbow April 7 onward last season. The lefty will face an uphill battle to win a spot in the big-league bullpen while attending camp as a non-roster invitee.

Gearrin signed a minor-league contract with the Twins on Monday as a non-roster invitee.

After posting a 1.99 ERA and 1.25 WHIP with the Giants in 2017, Gearrin has struggled over the past two seasons, posting a 3.91 ERA and 1.39 WHIP over 112.2 innings with five clubs over 2018 and 2019. The 33-year-old will get the chance to work with the Twins' major-league coaching staff during spring training, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him appear in the majors at some point in 2020 given his past experience.

Barria lost 14 pounds over the offseason, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Barria shed the weight over the winter following a disastrous 2019 season in which he posted a 4-10 record along with a 6.42 ERA (6.23 FIP). The 23-year-old is hoping to regain the form he showed during a promising rookie campaign that included a 10-9 record and a 3.41 ERA.

Alvarado threw an impressive bullpen session Friday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Manager Kevin Cash described the opportunity to see Alvarado work as the most exciting part of his day Friday, a remark that underscores the reliever's value to the team's pitching arsenal. Alvarado endured a forgettable 2019, posting a career-high 4.80 ERA and 1.87 WHIP across 30 innings over 35 appearances. He ultimately finished the season on the 60-day injured list due to elbow inflammation, but an offseason of rest appears to have addressed that issue. Assuming good health, Alvarado should see heavy late-inning volume in 2020.

Mengden (elbow) was placed on the 60-day injured list Saturday, Shayna Rubin of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Mengden underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow Wednesday that will require a recovery timetable of 6-to-10 weeks, and his placement on the 60-day injured list frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for Burch Smith, who was acquired from the Giants via trade Saturday. Mengden will likely work as a middle reliever once again for the Athletics once he's healthy.