MLB Player News

Leiter was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays on Monday.

Leiter was dropped from the Blue Jays' 40-man roster in order to clear room for Oliver Drake, who was claimed off waivers from Tampa Bay in a corresponding roster move. The 27-year-old right-hander split time with the Phillies and Blue Jays in 2018, posting a combined 7.71 ERA, 2.01 WHIP and 22:12 K:BB across 23.1 innings.

Milner cleared waivers and is expected to accept his outright assignment to the minors, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Milner will likely open the 2019 campaign with Triple-A Durham (where he spent a chunk of the 2018 season), assuming he accepts his outright assignment to the Bulls. The 27-year-old split time between Triple-A and the majors last season, posting a 7.36 ERA across 7.1 major-league frames while notching a 2.88 ERA across 40.2 minor-league innings.

The Marlins will trade Peters to the Angles in exchange for Tyler Stevens, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports.

Peters was designated for assignment by Miami earlier this week as part of the Rule 5 roster crunch. He is expected to serve as rotation depth for Los Angeles and will likely ride the shuttle back and forth as needed since he's got minor-league options remaining. Across seven game (five starts) for the Marlins in 2018, he logged a 7.16 ERA and 1.77 WHIP with a 17:15 K:BB in 27.2 innings.

Milner was designated for assignment by the Rays on Tuesday.

The move comes as the Rays added numerous prospects to their 40-man roster in order to protect them from the Rule 5 draft. Milner saw only 7.1 major-league innings (14 appearances) between Philadelphia and Tampa Bay in 2018, and allowed eight runs (six earned) on five walks and nine hits, including three home runs.

Hearn was added to the Rangers' 40-man roster Tuesday.

Hearn was traded from the Pirates to the Rangers at the July trade deadline for Keone Kela and is one of the organization's top pitching prospects, so it's unsurprising to see him protected from the Rule 5 draft. The 24-year-old lefty spent the 2018 season at the Double-A level and had a 3.12 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and .198 opponent batting average with Altoona prior to the trade. He subsequently struggled with Frisco, posting a 5.04 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and .284 BAA over 25 innings.

Diaz's contract was purchased by the Blue Jays on Tuesday.

Diaz was promoted to the 40-man roster in an effort to protect him from the impending Rule 5 draft. The 22-year-old prospect hasn't pitched above High-A in his brief four-year professional career but he's experienced success within the lower levels of Toronto's farm system (2.08 ERA over 47 frames with Low-A Lansing in 2018) and appears to possess good arm talent.

Thornton's contract was purchased by Toronto on Tuesday.

With the Rule 5 draft looming, Thornton was added to the 40-man roster to ensure protection. The 25-year-old prospect made 24 starts at Triple-A Fresno last year, posting a 4.42 ERA and 1.20 WHIP with a 122:31 K:BB over 124 frames. Thornton figures to have an opportunity to battle for a spot in the starting rotation during spring training given the Blue Jays' lack of pitching depth.

Tate (shoulder) joined Baltimore's 40-man roster Tuesday.

The Orioles snagged Tate near the end of July from the Yankees in the Zach Britton deal, but his season ended early due to shoulder soreness. He'll be protected from the Rule 5 draft following his placement on the 40-man and should be ready to go for the start of spring training.

Lakins was added to the 40-man roster by Boston on Tuesday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Lakins is now protected from the Rule 5 draft. He reached Triple-A Pawtucket last season, making 10 relief appearances and recording a 1.65 ERA and 15 strikeouts through 16 frames.

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

It's unclear if the deal includes an invitation to spring training, but either way, Tapia seems more likely to serve as organizational bullpen depth in 2019. The 27-year-old, who has yet to reach the majors, spent the majority of the 2018 campaign with Triple-A Louisville, posting a 3.43 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 45:26 K:BB across 63 innings.