MLB Player News

Thielbar signed a minor-league contract with Detroit on Tuesday, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Thielbar last appeared in the majors with the Twins in 2015. The lefty reliever owns a 2.74 career ERA over 98.2 major-league innings. His 2016 and 2017 seasons were spent with the independent-league St. Paul Saints, where he threw 91 innings with a 2.18 ERA. The weak Tigers' pitching staff gives the 30-year-old southpaw at least an outside shot to break camp with the big-league team.

Boshers was claimed off waivers by the Astros on Monday.

Boshers will join the Astros after being designated for assignment by the Twins last week. The southpaw owns a combined 4.56 ERA across 71 innings with Minnesota over the previous two seasons. He'll look to compete for an Opening Day role as the Astros' lefty specialist.

May (elbow) has been throwing from 120 feet and hopes to throw off a mound by the end of January, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

May missed all of 2017 after suffering a torn UCL in spring training, resulting in Tommy John surgery. He resumed throwing last August and has been gradually increasing his intensity and throwing distance. He's not expected to be ready for the start of the season and could return in May.

Garton agreed to a minor-league contract with the Mariners on Friday which includes an invite to spring training.

Garton appeared in 20 major-league games split between Tampa Bay and Seattle in 2017, posting a 4.91 ERA and 1.09 WHIP with a 16:6 K:BB in 22 innings of relief. The 28-year-old will get an opportunity to claim a spot in the bullpen heading into 2018, but Triple-A Tacoma is a likelier bet.

Fulmer is expected to be given a shot to earn a spot in the starting rotation during spring training, Vinnie Duber of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

The 24-year-old right-hander made a cameo late last season and fared well in his final four starts, giving up just three runs in 17.1 innings while striking out 16 batters. But his success should be viewed with circumspection. He walked 11 batters in 18.1 innings as a starter, and a minuscule .204 BABIP is due for a correction as opponents develop a book on him. Prior to his callup to Chicago, Fulmer was tagged at Triple-A Charlotte, posting a 5.79 ERA. That suggests his unfamiliarity to major-league hitters played a role in his effectiveness. Nevertheless, there's a spot in the 2018 rotation available and he'll be given an opportunity to earn it. The question the White Sox are looking to answer is if there's a rotation spot beyond this season.

Boshers was designated for assignment by the Twins on Monday.

Boshers was dropped from the Twins' 40-man roster in order to clear room for Addison Reed, who was recently signed to a two-year contract. The southpaw split time between Triple-A Rochester and the big club last season, posting a 3.68 ERA in 14.2 innings with the Red Wings while compiling a less-impressive 4.89 ERA in 35 innings with the Twins. He'll take a spin through waivers to determine his next landing spot; he could draw some interest given his prior MLB experience.

McHugh may start the season in the bullpen or could be a trade candidate following the acquisition of Gerrit Cole, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

McHugh wasn't assured of a spot in the rotation before the Astros acquired Cole from the Pirates over the weekend. An elbow injury cost him the first half of last season, then he later missed time with a fingernail avulsion. Health will be an unknown until he gets to spring training. Given good health among the starters, Cole figures to slot in as a No. 3 or 4 starter behind Justin Verlander and Dallas Keuchel, while Lance McCullers and Charlie Morton fill out the rotation. The best-case scenario for McHugh is that he proves himself healthy and is moved at some point late in spring training.

Rodney will serve as the Twins' closer at the start of the 2018 season, despite the fact that the team signed Addison Reed on Saturday, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Few would argue that Rodney is a better reliever than Reed, but Rodney thrives off taking the ball in the ninth inning, whereas Reed has worked as a setup man for the majority of his career. That said, Rodney's leash in the closer role will likely be a bit shorter now that the Twins have another highly-capable high-leverage arm on board.

Leone agreed to a one-year, $1.085 million deal with Toronto on Friday, MLB.com's Gregor Chisholm reports.

Leone posted a 2.56 ERA and 1.05 WHIP over 70.1 relief innings during his first season as a Blue Jay. The ringer-hander also held a solid 10.4 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9. Looking ahead, Leone will provide solid value in holds, and could challenge for some save opportunities if he's able to avoid regression.

Treinen (finger) agreed to a one-year, $2.15 million deal with Oakland on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

This marks the second offseason he was arbitration eligible. Treinen underwent minor surgery to remove a cyst from his middle finger in October, but should be completely healed and ready for the start of spring training. In 2017, the right-hander posted a 3.93 ERA and 1.39 WHIP over 75.2 innings split between Washington and Oakland.