MLB Player News

Luetge signed a minor-league contract with Oakland on Monday, which includes an invitation to spring training.

Luetge hasn't appeared in the major leagues since the 2015 season, so he's likely a longshot to crack the 25-man roster. He tossed 43 innings for Triple-A Reno in 2019, posting a 3.14 ERA and 1.33 WHIP with 46 punchouts.

Johnson was designated for assignment by the Red Sox on Monday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Johnson made seven starts and 14 relief appearances for the Red Sox last season but couldn't find much success. He finished the year with a 6.02 ERA and a 31:23 K:BB in 40.1 innings.

VerHagen will play in Japan in 2020, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

VerHagen pitched a career-high 58 innings in 2019, but he struggled with a 5.90 ERA and a 1.60 WHIP. He made four starts but performed mainly as a long reliever out of the Tigers' bullpen. The 29-year-old will get a chance to develop in Japan next season after making appearances in the majors in each of the past six seasons.

Hearn (elbow) threw four bullpen sessions in October and has been cleared for a normal offseason, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Hearn had a disappointing 2019 campaign, tossing just one-third of an inning due to elbow inflammation. He was shut down at the beginning of August after experiencing elbow irritation, but after firing four bullpens a month ago, he should be ready to roll for the start of spring training.

Garcia was added to the Yankees' 40-man roster Wednesday.

Garcia was rumored as a potential callup for the Yankees in September, so it's no surprise to see the team protecting him from the Rule 5 draft. The 20-year-old began the season at High-A Tampa, but quickly received promotions to Double-A Trenton and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Garcia had a 5.40 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 45:20 K:BB over 40 innings at Triple-A, where he's likely to begin the 2020 season.

Duran was added to the Twins' 40-man roster Wednesday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

This was a forgone conclusion on the final day to protect prospects from the Rule 5 draft. Duran excels at generating weak contact (63.3 GB% at Double-A) thanks to a heavy mid-90s fastball. At worst, he should make it as a late-inning weapon, but if he will be given the chance to develop into a mid-rotation starter. Look for him to open the year back at Double-A before spending the bulk of 2020 in the Triple-A rotation.

Mayza (elbow) was outrighted to Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday.

The move helps clear space on the Blue Jays' 40-man roster for the team to protect Thomas Hatch and Santiago Espinal ahead of the Rule 5 draft. Mayza is expected to miss the entirety of the 2020 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Shafer was designated for assignment Wednesday.

The Blue Jays needed to clear a couple roster spots to protect players from the Rule 5 draft and Shafer was a casualty. He had a 3.86 ERA, 1.66 WHIP and 39:25 K:BB in 39.2 innings last season. His 5.18 FIP was a better indicator of how well he pitched.

Hatch was added to the Blue Jays' 40-man roster Wednesday, Scott Mitchell of TSN.ca reports.

Hatch was dealt to the Blue Jays in 2019, and his addition to the 40-man roster will shield him from the Rule 5 draft. Over 135.1 innings at the Double-A level last season, the 25-year-old posted a 4.12 ERA with a 127:39 K:BB.

Hernandez was added to the Royals' 40-man roster Wednesday.

The 22-year-old has yet to progress past the Low-A level, but he showed promise in 2019 even after missing extended time with a rib injury. Over 36 innings for Low-A Lexington, Hernandez posted a 3.50 ERA with a 43:9 K:BB. The right-hander is protected from the Rule 5 draft as a result of his addition to the 40-man roster.