MLB Player News

Ramirez signed a minor-league contract with Detroit.

The converted first baseman couldn't duplicate his Double-A numbers at the Triple-A level in 2018, logging a 5.73 ERA, 1.75 WHIP and 18:21 K:BB over 37.2 innings with Colorado Springs in the Brewers' system last season. Ramirez spent most of his time coming out of the bullpen, which is where he's likely going to be utilized by the Tigers next year. Don't expect to see the 29-year-old in the majors barring a dramatic improvement.

Hernandez agreed to a minor-league deal with the Rangers on Wednesday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Hernandez bounced around between three different organizations during the 2018 season. He failed to appear in any big-league games after pitching 24.1 innings of relief for the Reds in 2017. The 26-year-old found moderate success (3.20 ERA) with Triple-A Oklahoma City within the Dodgers' system before being designated for assignment in early August, but his 4.55 FIP and 21:20 K:BB suggest that he was fortunate. Hernandez will attempt to find a home in the Rangers' bullpen this spring.

Gomez agreed to a minor-league contract with Texas on Wednesday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Gomez will provide additional bullpen depth to the Rangers' system after spending the 2018 campaign with the White Sox. He appeared in 26 big-league games last season, logging a pedestrian 4.68 ERA and 1.56 WHIP with 27 strikeouts in 25 innings of relief.

Putnam (elbow) signed a minor-league contract with the Red Sox on Tuesday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Putnam missed the entire 2018 season while recover from Tommy John surgery that he underwent in June of 2017. The right-hander should be fully healthy for spring training and ready to compete for a spot in Boston's Opening Day bullpen. Putnam has proven to be an effective reliever over parts of seven major-league seasons, posting a combined 3.20 ERA and 9.6 K/9 across 152 career innings.

General manager Al Avila said last week that Fulmer has regained full range of motion in his surgically repaired right knee and remains on track to be ready for the start of spring training, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

A report earlier this month suggested that Fulmer was slightly behind in his recovery from surgery to address a damaged meniscus and frayed cartilage, but Avila's comments paint a rosier picture of the right-hander's recovery. Fulmer will presumably test out the health of his knee in workouts later this winter, and if he gets the green light from his surgeon, Dr. James Andrews, the 25-year-old should report to spring training without any limitations.

Adam returned to the Royals on a minor-league deal Monday.

The reliever got his first taste of big-league action in 2018 and failed to impress, stumbling to a 6.12 ERA in 32.1 innings. His 26.1 percent strikeout rate was above-average and his 10.6 percent walk rate didn't sink his season on its own, but his very low 25.3 percent groundball rate led to him allowing nine homers. He'll likely be organizational depth again for the Royals in 2019 unless he can figure out how to keep the ball in the yard.

Curtis returned to the Rangers on a minor-league deal Monday.

The deal includes an invitation to major-league spring training. The lefty has thrown 38 major-league innings over the last three seasons, pitching for four different organizations. He owns a 4.74 ERA and an ugly 34:35 K:BB.

Dillard signed a minor-league contract with the Rangers on Monday that includes an invitation to spring training.

Dillard had been with the Brewers since the team drafted him back in 2002, but hadn't thrown a pitch in the big leagues since 2012. His ERA at the Triple-A level has been over 5.00 in each of the last five seasons, reaching 7.36 last season, so it would be a surprise if the 35-year-old makes a major-league impact this season.

May will be used as a reliever in 2019 and will not move to the rotation, Twins Chief Baseball Officer Derek Falvey told the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

May returned after missing a season due to Tommy John surgery and showed increased velocity on his fastball (94.1 mph average) and an improved strikeout rate (12.8 K/9) once he returned to the majors in August. He converted all three save chances when used in the closer role the final week, and could be in the closer mix this spring if the Twins don't sign an established closer in free agency.

Paredes agreed to a minor-league deal with Detroit on Thursday, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reports.

The right-hander's contract also included an invite to the Tigers' big-league spring training. The 23-year-old spent most of the 2018 season at the Triple-A level, though he appeared in 32 games out of the bullpen for the Angels over the past two years. During those outings, he's logged a 5.53 ERA with 32 strikeouts in 40.2 innings.