MLB Player News

Hu was traded to the Indians from the Rays in exchange for infielder Gionti Turner on Monday.

The 25-year-old spent much of the season with the Rays' Triple-A affiliate, producing a 4.66 ERA and a 92:28 K:BB in 102 innings split between 19 starts and five relief appearances. He also has 23 innings of major-league experience under his belt from the past two seasons, allowing nine runs with a 21:7 K:BB in that span. Hu figures to be in the mix for a bullpen spot with his new club, though he does have an option remaining if Cleveland bolsters its bullpen more with veteran arms.

Thornton was traded from the Astros to the Blue Jays in exchange for Aledmys Diaz on Saturday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Thornton has yet to make his major-league debut after spending four seasons in the minors. He posted a 4.42 ERA and 1.20 WHIP with 122 strikeouts over 124 innings with Triple-A Round Rock in 2018 and figures to have a shot to win a spot in Toronto's starting rotation next spring.

Weiss signed a minor-league deal with the Twins on Friday, Brandon Warne of Zone Coverage reports.

Weiss was released by Cincinnati in early September after spending the past six years in the organization. He only made one big-league appearance during that time -- in April of 2018 -- during which he gave up four earned runs on two hits (two home runs) and two walks while failing to record an out. Weiss spent a majority of this past season at Triple-A, and he will likely report to Minnesota's Triple-A club this coming spring.

Merritt signed a minor-league contract with the Rays on Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Merritt pitched in only 15 games for Triple-A Columbus in 2018 as he dealt with a shoulder issue, and was jettisoned off the Indians' 40-man roster in July at the conclusion of his rehab assignment due to a worrying drop in velocity. The 26-year-old lefty had a 1.71 ERA and 1.14 WHIP over 31.2 innings with Cleveland between 2016-17, and does have some upside for Tampa Bay should he remain healthy and rediscover his previous form.

Cisnero signed a minor-league contract with Detroit on Friday that includes an invite to spring training.

Cisnero has spent the last few years outside Major League Baseball, including a stint in the Dominican Winter League with Leones del Escogido this past season. The 29-year-old right-hander has pitched in 33 big-league games, with a majority of those outings coming with Houston in 2013. He will battle for a spot in the Tigers' bullpen during spring training.

Kittredge was outrighted from Tampa Bay's 40-man roster Friday, Marc Topkin of The Tampa Bay Times reports.

Kittredge will remain with the organization for now after being cast off the 40-man roster in order to give the Rays added space for a younger prospect heading into the Rule 5 draft. Across 33 games in 2018, Kittredge logged a 7.75 ERA and 1.85 WHIP.

Paredes was outrighted to Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday.

The Angels dropped Paredes and a few others from their 40-man roster in order to free up space for younger prospects who need to be protected from the upcoming Rule 5 draft. The 23-year-old Paredes posted a 6.87 ERA, 1.75 WHIP and 15:7 K:BB across 18.1 innings of relief in 2018.

Shafer (elbow) was outrighted to Triple-A Buffalo on Friday.

Shafer was cast off the 40-man roster in order to free up a spot for one of the Blue Jays' younger prospects. The 26-year-old spent a majority of the 2018 season at the Triple-A level but posted a 3.24 ERA and 1.56 WHIP across 8.1 innings in the majors.

Fernandez was claimed off waivers by the Tigers on Friday.

Fernandez spent the month of September up in the big leagues for Toronto after working at the Triple-A level for a majority of the season. In 13 appearances with the Blue Jays, he allowed seven earned runs on 10 hits and four walks while striking out six in 10.2 innings of relief. The 25-year-old could use a little more seasoning in the minors but should have a chance to win a major-league roster spot in spring training.

Burdi (elbow) will not pitch again in the Arizona Fall League due to "general fatigue," though he's expected to be fully healthy prior to spring training, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Burdi missed a majority of the 2018 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in late July of 2017. He wound up pitching in seven fall league games in August and then returned for a few more appearances this past month before getting shut down for the rest of the year. He's expected to vie for a spot in the major-league bullpen this spring if he's back to 100 percent.