MLB Player News

Fulmer is set to meet Wednesday with Dr. James Andrews for a follow-up visit regarding his surgically repaired knee before beginning his rehab at the Tigers' spring-training complex, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

For the second time in five years, Fulmer required surgery -- Sept. 20 to address a balky right knee, with Andrews repairing the right-hander's damaged meniscus and cleaning up some frayed cartilage. Andrews also performed a modified micro-fracture procedure to stimulate blood flow to the knee, which leaves Fulmer hopeful he'll be back to full strength when pitchers and catchers report for spring training Feb. 12. Given that Fulmer's surgery was slightly more extensive than initially believed, it doesn't look like nearly as much of a lock as it once did that he'll be on the mound when workouts get underway, but his availability for the start of the season shouldn't be seriously threatened. Since taking home American League Rookie of the Year honors in 2016, Fulmer has seen both his ERA and WHIP decline in the subsequent two campaigns.

Montero (elbow) signed a minor-league contract with the Rangers on Tuesday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Montero missed the entire 2018 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in late March. The 28-year-old is unlikely to be ready for Opening Day, though a return date in May or June remains possible. Montero appeared in 34 games for the Mets in 2017 and posted a 5.52 ERA, 1.75 WHIP and 114:67 K:BB over 119 innings.

Machado signed a minor-league contract with the Royals on Monday.

As expected, the right-hander will re-sign with Kansas City after the team declined to tender him a contract before Friday's deadline. Machado split last season between Double-A Northwest Arkansas and Triple-A Omaha, producing a 5.53 ERA and a 72:38 K:BB in 83 innings of work. He figures to act as organizational depth for the Royals.

Hendriks signed a one-year, $2.15 million fully guaranteed deal with Oakland on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reports.

Hendriks will be arbitration eligible for one more season before hitting the free-agent market. The 29-year-old appeared in 25 games and made eight "starts" -- which doesn't include taking the mound for the AL Wild Card Game in the Bronx -- this past year, logging a 4.13 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 8.2 K/9 across 24 innings. He finished the regular season strong and will be a vital cog in the Athletics' bullpen in 2019.

Leiter cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Buffalo, Mike Wilner of Sportsnet 590 The Fan reports.

The Blue Jays needed to clear a spot for Oliver Drake, who they claimed off waivers. Leiter is a low-end reliever who will serve as organizational depth in 2019.

Colome was traded to the White Sox from Seattle on Friday in exchange for Omar Narvaez.

Colome began this past season as Tampa Bay's closer before getting shipped to Seattle in late May. He wound up serving as Edwin Diaz's setup man, logging a 2.53 ERA and 1.04 WHIP with 49 strikeouts in 46.1 innings with the Mariners. The soon-to-be 30-year-old was able to bounce back from a rough 2017 campaign in which his walk rate (3.1 BB/9) and strikeout rate (7.8 K/9) each took a negative turn. Looking ahead, Colome will have the opportunity to step back into the ninth-inning role for the White Sox during this upcoming season after registering a total of 96 saves in 110 chances since the start of 2016. He will be under club control for two more seasons before becoming a free agent.

Coleman signed a minor-league deal with the Tigers.

The 32-year-old righty was recently cast off the 40-man roster but will return to Detroit in hopes of re-earning his spot in the majors. He logged a 3.51 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 41 strikeouts in 51.1 innings in 2018, but the Tigers will likely be looking to give more opportunities to their younger bullpen arms.

Flynn signed a one-year contract with the Royals on Thursday, avoiding arbitration.

Flynn spent the 2018 campaign as a middle reliever for the Royals, posting a 4.04 ERA, 1.61 WHIP and 47:35 K:BB across 75.2 innings. The 28-year-old righty figures to fill a similar role in Kansas City's bullpen in 2019.

Chavez agreed to a two-year contract with the Rangers on Tuesday, Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reports.

The deal is reportedly worth around $8 million, per Passan. Chavez opened the 2018 season with Texas before being dealt to the Cubs in July. He posted a combined 2.55 ERA and 1.06 WHIP across 95.1 innings with both teams, and was especially good after joining Chicago, notching four saves while posting a 1.15 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 42:5 K:BB across 39 innings for the Cubs. While he likely won't dethrone Jose Leclerc as the Rangers' closer, Chavez will be pitching some of the team's highest-leverage innings out of the bullpen.

Moore agreed to a one-year contract with the Tigers on Tuesday, Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reports.

According to Passan, the deal -- which is still pending a physical -- guarantees Moore between $2 and $3 million dollars. The southpaw struggled in 2018, posting a 6.79 ERA, 1.66 WHIP and 7.6 K/9 across 102 innings for the Rangers. He was bounced from Texas' rotation in June after compiling an 8.02 ERA through 12 starts, though he should still get an opportunity to win a rotation spot for the pitching-starved Tigers in 2019. Moore owns a 5.22 ERA and 7.7 K/9 over the last four seasons, so he doesn't figure to carry much fantasy value regardless of his role.