MLB Player News

Tigers general manager Al Avila said Jan. 24 that Fulmer (elbow) should be at full strength for the start of spring training, the Associated Press reports. "He's thrown out to 180 feet with no restrictions and no setbacks, so right now he's on track to be 100 percent coming into spring training," Avila said.

Following his Rookie of the Year-winning campaign in 2016, Fulmer took a step back in his sophomore season, delivering a 10-12 record and 3.83 ERA across 164.2 innings before being shuttered in September after undergoing ulnar transposition surgery. Pitching through the injury undoubtedly factored into Fulmer's disappointing numbers to some degree, though the meager 7.5 K/9 rate he submitted as a rookie perhaps hinted that a downturn in his 3.06 ERA was inevitable. With Fulmer at full health entering the upcoming campaign, it should be easier to elucidate whether he's truly an ace-level arm or more of a mid-rotation-caliber pitcher at this stage of his career.

Gomez signed a minor-league contract with the White Sox on Wednesday which includes an invitation to spring training, Chris Cotillo of SB Nation reports.

Gomez broke camp as the Phillies' closer to start the 2017 campaign, but it all went downhill from there. He quickly lost his ninth-inning job after allowing five runs in his first three appearances (15.00 ERA). Gomez continued to struggle in low-leverage work until he was ultimately released in mid-June. The soon-to-be 30-year-old then spent time in the minors with Milwaukee and Seattle, but never worked his way back to the majors. He'll push for a spot in the White Sox's bullpen, though it's difficult to see him returning to high-leverage work even if a strong spring earns him a spot on the team's Opening Day roster.

Bukauskas is ranked 76th overall on MLB Pipeline's top-100 prospects.

Bukauskas, the Astros' sixth-ranked prospect per RotoWire, was selected in the first round (15th overall) of the 2017 draft. The 21-year-old right-hander has an advanced 1-2 combination with a mid-90s sinking fastball and a mid-80s slider. After a full season at the University of North Carolina in 2017, the 6-footer made three abbreviated starts at the lower levels of Houston's organization, finishing up at short-season Tri-City of the New York-Penn League. There's thought among the talent-evaluation community that Bukauskas will eventually become a reliever, but at this point, the Astros are high on him as a starter. They'll be looking for him to develop a third pitch and tone down a delivery that takes considerable effort. If the Astros decide to move him to the pen, Bukauskas has closer upside and should move up rapidly.

Burdi (elbow) is throwing out to 30 feet with 30 throws per session, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Burdi, who underwent Tommy John elbow surgery in July of 2017, admitted to being a bit stiff when he began throwing, but has since become more fluid, finding a "groove and rhythm." He's expected to move his distance out to 45 feet next week. The 22-year-old right-handed reliever faces a few more months of rehabilitation and could get back to pitching competitively late in the 2018 season. Burdi is known for his high-velocity fastball and is viewed as a future closer.

Snow agreed to a minor-league contract with Tampa Bay on Friday that includes an invitation to spring training, Marc Topkin of The Tampa Bay Times reports.

Snow spent the 2017 season with the Brewers' organization, pitching at Double-A and Triple-A, which is where he's toiled for the last seven years. The 29-year-old will provide added organizational depth for Tampa Bay during this upcoming season, but as he's never appeared in a major-league game to date, Snow will remain off the fantasy radar.

Duffey will be stretched out in spring training in order to pitch more innings, Darren Wolfson of 1500 am ESPN Twin Cities reports.

It's not clear if Duffey will be used in long relief or try to compete for a job in the starting rotation. Duffey moved to the bullpen last season after struggling as a starter in 2016, and he showed signs of improvement despite declining late in the season. He had a 2.10 ERA in his first 17 outings, but a 6.55 ERA after May 30. Duffey will likely move into a lower-profile role if he remains in relief after the Twins boosted their bullpen with the offseason additions of Addison Reed and Fernando Rodney.

Weber signed a minor-league contract with the Rays on Wednesday, Chris Cotillo of SB Nation reports.

Weber missed the majority of the 2017 campaign with a right biceps strain, which he suffered in his lone appearance for the Mariners last season. Prior to injuring himself, the 27-year-old righty earned himself a promotion to the majors thanks to an impressive 0.85 ERA and 0.76 WHIP across 31.2 innings with Triple-A Tacoma. Weber will likely open the season as organizational pitching depth, though he could work his way into contention for a roster spot with a strong spring.

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.