MLB Player News

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.

Swanson had his contract purchased from Triple-A Tacoma on Tuesday.

Swanson, one of three players acquired from the Yankees in exchange for James Paxton, was added to the Mariners' 40-man roster in advance of the Rule 5 draft. The 25-year-old posted a combined 2.66 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 139:29 K:BB across 121.2 innings with Double-A Trenton and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in 2018. With his move to Seattle, Swanson will be a candidate to start for the Mariners at some point in 2019.

Staumont was added to the 40-man roster Tuesday, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

The Royals have selected Staumont's contract in an effort to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. He's yet to make his big-league debut but reached Triple-A Omaha in each of the last two seasons and posted a 3.51 ERA along with a 1.50 WHIP and 103 strikeouts over 74 innings in 2018.

Swanson was traded from the Yankees to the Mariners on Monday along with Justus Sheffield and Don Thompson-Williams in exchange for James Paxton, Corey Brock of The Athletic reports.

Swanson, a 25-year-old right-hander who has yet to debut in the majors, is the least exciting minor-leaguer headed to Seattle in Monday's blockbuster deal, although he could be the first to play in the big leagues for the Mariners. He spent the bulk of the 2018 season between Double-A Trenton and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, posting a combined 2.66 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 139:29 K:BBB across 121.2 innings (24 appearances, 22 starts). This trade boosts his stock in dynasty leagues, as he was not going to get much of a look as a starter for the Yankees, whereas the Mariners should have no trouble giving him starts early in the 2019 season.