MLB Player News

Gargia is a candidate to start the year in the Yankees' rotation following James Paxton's back surgery, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Paxton is expected to return in May or June. Domingo German also remains on the shelf until June due to a suspension. With the fifth spot in the Yankees' rotation up for grabs, general manager Brian Cashman called the No. 5 rotation spot an open competition among Jordan Montgomery, Michael King, Jonathan Loaisiga, Luis Cessa and Garcia. The 20-year-old prospect spent most of the 2019 season with Double-A Trenton, posting a 3.86 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 87:26 K:BB across 53.2 innings.

King is in contention for the Yankees' fifth starter spot to open the season, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

With Domingo German (suspension) out until early June and James Paxton (back) sidelined until at least early May, a temporary spot has opened up in the rotation at Yankee Stadium. King may not be the favorite to win it, as he has just two innings of big-league experience under his belt. However, he projects as a potential back-end starter and may get the chance to stake his claim for that spot this spring.

Leclerc enters spring training as the Rangers' leading candidate to close games, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Both manager Chris Woodward and general manager Jon Daniels prefer to have Leclerc close games, but they are not handing him the job without evaluation over the spring. "I'd like [Leclerc] to be the closer; that would be ideal," Woodward said. "I don't think he has anything to prove as a good, elite reliever, but finishing games is a different story. As long as he's executing pitches and has good command of his body and emotions, I'll be really comfortable." Woodward will want to see how Leclerc is executing his fastball. If he's commanding, Leclerc's split-finger change becomes more effective, particularly as a two-strike offering.

Graterol was acquired by the Red Sox from the Twins on Tuesday in a three-team trade with the Dodgers that also includes Mookie Betts, David Price, Alex Verdugo and Kenta Maeda, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Betts and Price will move from Boston to Los Angeles in exchange for Verdugo, while Maeda will bolster Minnesota's starting rotation. Graterol was one of the Twins' top prospects and was expected to remain in the bullpen during 2020, though those plans could change with his new team. The 21-year-old righty can touch 100 mph with his fastball and also features a hard slider at 88 mph.

Hart signed with the Athletics as a non-roster invitee Tuesday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Hart owns a career 3.13 ERA in 89 big-league innings, though only 7.2 of those innings came in 2019. He didn't give up a run in his short stay in the majors last season but posted a mediocre 4.43 ERA in 44.2 innings at the Triple-A level in the Brewers' and Mets' organizations.

Reyes cleared waivers and was outrighted to Double-A Portland on Monday, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

Reyes struck out a modest 18.4 percent of opposing batters en route to a 4.16 ERA in 26 starts for Portland last season. He may not need much more time at that level before trying his hand at Triple-A Pawtucket.

Curtiss signed a minor-league deal with the Rays on Monday which includes an invitation to big-league camp, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Curtiss has thrown 17.1 career big-league innings, struggling to a 6.75 ERA. He spent most of 2019 in Triple-A in the Angels' and Phillies' systems, posting an unimpressive 7.75 ERA and a 1.84 WHIP in 33.2 innings.

Covey signed a minor-league contract with the Rays on Monday as a non-roster invitee, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Covey posted a 2.82 ERA with a 1.33 WHIP over 51 innings with Triple-A Charlotte in 2019, but he struggled in the majors as he dealt with a shoulder injury, and he was designated for assignment by the White Sox in January. The right-hander will get the chance to work with the Rays' 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 if he can show consistent results in the minors.

Lakins was claimed off waivers by the Orioles on Friday.

Lakins joins his third team of the offseason, having opened it with the Red Sox and having been traded to the Cubs for cash earlier in January. Lakins threw 23.1 innings in his debut for Boston last season, posting a 3.86 ERA but a modest 17.7 percent strike rate. His path to playing time in Baltimore will be considerably easier than it was in Boston or Chicago.

Law signed a minor-league contract with the Rangers on Thursday, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports. The contract includes an invitation to spring training.

Law is headed south after being non-tendered by the Blue Jays in December. Across 58 appearances with Toronto in 2019, the righty posted a 4.90 ERA, 1.66 WHIP and 67:40 K:BB in 60.2 innings. He'll compete for one of the Rangers' final bullpen spots during spring camp.