MLB Player News

Murray agreed to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training with the Rays on Thursday, MLB.com's Mark Feinsand reports.

Murray tossed 40.2 innings for Triple-A Lehigh Valley within the Phillies' system in 2017, posting a 5.53 ERA and 1.59 WHIP with a 45:15 K:BB. The right-hander didn't see any time on a major-league mound last year, but appeared in 24 games out of the bullpen for Philadelphia in 2016, although he wasn't able to secure any sort of role and tallied just a 6.25 ERA during those outings. Looking ahead, Murray will provide organizational depth for Tampa Bay and could wind up starting the 2018 campaign in Triple-A Durham.

Rodney reached a one-year, $4.5 million deal with the Twins on Thursday, Craig Mish of SiriusXM reports.

Rodney's deal offers incentives that could bring the value up to $6 million, as the 40-year-old will move on to his ninth different major-league team since breaking into the big leagues in 2005 with Detroit. During this past season with the Diamondbacks, Rodney posted a 4.23 ERA and collected 39 saves, which ranked in the top five In the majors, and were his most since recording 48 in 2014. Moving forward, he will open the year as Minnesota's closer, and could once again be a great source of saves while posting subpar ratios (by closer standards).

Kelly signed a major-league deal with the Orioles on Thursday, Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com reports. Per Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports, Kelly will head to Triple-A to begin his tenure with the team.

Kelly saw some success at the Double-A level in 2017, owning a 2.98 ERA and striking out 9.7 batters per nine innings. The sledding got much tougher with the jump to Triple-A El Paso of the Pacific Coast League, as Kelly had a 6.64 ERA and surrendered six homers and 26 walks across 42 innings (seven starts). He'll be entering his age-25 season with the Orioles, and should be given a chance to make his MLB debut at some point.

Armstrong was traded to the Mariners in exchange for $500,000 of international bonus pool money.

Armstrong appeared in 21 games for the Indians in 2017, accruing a 4.38 ERA and 1.34 WHIP while sporting a 20:10 K:BB in 24.2 innings. The 27-year-old right-hander spent about half his time in Triple-A this past year, but might be able to find a home in Seattle's bullpen and earn a career high in innings and appearances. With Triple-A Columbus, Armstrong posted a 2.42 ERA in 26 innings.

General manager Thad Levine said the Twins plan to stretch May (elbow) out as a starter, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

May missed all of 2017 after undergoing Tommy John surgery in March, though he resumed throwing in August and has progressed to making up to 75 throws from around 105 feet. While May isn't expected to be ready for the start of the season, the Twins are hoping he'll be ready to rejoin their rotation in mid-May.

Fulmer (elbow) started a throwing program Tuesday, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Fulmer underwent ulnar transposition surgery back in September, a procedure that usually carries a 3-to-4 month recovery timeline. He appears to be right on schedule, and barring any setbacks, the right-hander should be fully healthy heading into spring training. Despite dealing with elbow issues, he still posted a respectable 3.83 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 114:40 K:BB across 25 starts (164.2 innings).

Burdi (elbow) made 75 throws from 80 feet Monday, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

He is working his way back from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent in late May. While this is excellent news for the power reliever, more impactful news could come Thursday, as Burdi was left off the Twins' 40-man roster and is generating a lot of buzz leading up to this week's Rule 5 draft. He has a huge fastball and was seen as a potential closer prior to tearing his UCL. His shaky command and the risk associated with this injury would be two marks against him in advance of the Rule 5 draft, but he will still likely get selected and change organizations.

Martin signed a two-year, $4 million contract with the Rangers on Monday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Martin will return to the majors after spending the past two seasons in Japan, where he was able to turn his career around following a pair of disappointing stints with the Rockies and Yankees in 2014 and 2015, respectively. The 31-year-old posted a shiny 1.12 ERA and 91:13 K:BB across 89.1 innings of relief with the Nippon Ham Fighters over the past two years. He'll slot into the Rangers' bullpen, though he may need to prove himself against major-league hitting before earning a higher-leverage role.

Ramsey signed a minor-league contract with the Astros on Monday which includes an invitation to spring training, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Ramsey, who was selected by the Brewers in last year's Rule 5 draft, spent all of 2017 in the minors, splitting time between Double-A Biloxi and Triple-A Colorado Springs. While he pitched well with the Shuckers, compiling a 3.65 ERA and 58:18 K:BB across 44.1 innings, the 28-year-old struggled mightily at the highest level of the minors, posting a rough 18.56 ERA and 5:4 K:BB across 5.1 innings. He'll get the chance to compete for an Opening Day bullpen gig, though there's a good chance he'll open the season as organizational pitching depth.

Lawrence signed a minor-league contract with the Mariners on Thursday, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

Lawrence appeared in 24 games with the Mariners in 2017, and prior to that, he pitched in three others with the Blue Jays before being designated for assignment in early May. During all those contests, he posted a 6.37 ERA and 1.84 WHIP over 55.1 innings. He will serve as organizational depth.