MLB Player News

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.

Hendriks agreed to a one-year deal with the A's on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

This was the second year of arbitration eligibility for Hendriks, who posted a 4.22 ERA and 1.25 WHIP with 78 strikeouts in 64 innings last season. The right-hander is a solid presence out of the bullpen for Oakland, as he's regularly capable of hitting the mid- to high 90's, and should be able to work in high-leverage situations during this upcoming campaign.

Betances agreed to a one-year, $5.1 million deal with the Yankees on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

This was his second year as an arbitration-eligible player, and he will receive a raise of $2.1 million from last season. Betances had trouble with command for most of the year, and especially down the stretch, but still posted a 2.87 ERA and 1.22 WHIP with 100 strikeouts in 59.2 innings of work. Regardless of whether he's able to fix some of those problems, the right-hander will be a hot commodity in the fantasy realm, with top value in holds and his ability to make opponents miss.

Kelly agreed to a one-year, $3.825 million deal with the Red Sox on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports reports.

This was the final offseason that he is an arbitration-eligible player, and the right-hander received a $1.025 million increase from last year. Kelly was able to have a bounce-back campaign in 2017, posting a 2.79 ERA and 1.19 WHIP with a 52:27 K:BB in 58 innings of relief. He should be in the mix to work high-leverage situations this upcoming season, but still leaves something to be desired with his strikeout and command issues.