MLB Player News

Boushley signed a minor-league contract with the Twins on Thursday.

Boushley got his first taste of the big leagues in 2023, allowing one run over 2.1 innings in his lone appearance with the Brewers. The 30-year-old posted a 5.11 ERA and 110:51 K:BB over 135.2 innings at Triple-A Nashville. He seems likely to be part of the rotation at Triple-A St. Paul in 2024.

Orioles general manager Mike Elias said Thursday that the team still views Hall as a starter long term, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

Elias did add, however, that it's possible Hall breaks camp as a reliever, depending on how things shake out in spring training. The plan is to get Hall stretched back out after he spent much of 2023 in a relief role, but it hasn't been determined whether that will happen right away or throughout the course of the upcoming season. All 18 of the southpaw's appearances with Baltimore last season came in relief and he was excellent, posting a 3.26 ERA and 23:5 K:BB over 19.1 innings. Hall, 25, has still yet to reach 100 frames in any of his six professional seasons.

Robertson signed a one-year, $5 million contract with the Rangers on Thursday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

He will be guaranteed at least $11.5 million in the deal, as there's a $7 million mutual option (or $1.5 million buyout) for 2025 as well as $1 million per year in deferred payments from 2027-31. Robertson will join his ninth team in the last eight seasons, but he's been particularly impressive across his last two campaigns. In that span, he's combined to post 38 saves with a 159:50 K:BB across 129 innings. Robertson is likely to factor into the closer role with the Rangers, potentially splitting duties with Jose Leclerc.

Taylor signed a minor-league contract with the Rangers on Thursday and received an invitation to major-league spring training.

Taylor spent all of last season with the Astros' Triple-A affiliate, where he put up a 5.15 ERA and 1.82 WHIP across 36.2 innings out of the bullpen. However, he boasts a 3.06 ERA across 79.1 frames in his major-league career and will have a chance to earn a spot in Texas' Opening Day bullpen.

Angels general manager Perry Minasian said Tuesday that Estevez remains the team's closer on paper even after the Robert Stephenson signing, Taylor Blake Ward of The Sporting News reports.

Minasian did note, however, that the closer decision will ultimately be up to manager Ron Washington. Estevez was an All-Star in 2023 while notching 31 saves for the Angels, but he posted a 6.59 ERA after the All-Star break. Even if Estevez does indeed begin the season with the closer job, Stephenson will be a threat to usurp him, and Ben Joyce's triple-digit fastball also looms as a high-leverage option.

Gage was designated for assignment by the Astros on Monday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The move was made in order to free up a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Josh Hader. Gage, who turns 31 next month, has held a 1.83 ERA and 20:9 K:BB over 19.2 innings at the major-league level and posted a 4.58 ERA and 39:20 K:BB across 37.1 frames at Triple-A Sugar Land in 2023.

Perez signed a one-year contract with the Orioles on Monday to avoid arbitration.

The deal also contains a club option for 2025. The financial particulars aren't clear, but Perez had been seeking $1.4 million for 2024, with the team offering $1.1 million. Perez has collected a 2.43 ERA and 99:48 K:BB over 111 innings in his two seasons in Baltimore.

Criswell will enter spring training prepared to be a starting pitcher, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

All 10 of Criswell's appearances in the majors in 2023 came in relief, but they were mostly of the bulk relief variety, as he went no less than two innings and as many as 4.2 frames across those 10 outings. The 27-year-old made 17 starts (and six relief appearances) last year at Triple-A Durham. Winning a rotation spot with the Red Sox is unlikely, but Criswell does have an option remaining, so he could open the 2024 campaign in Triple-A Worcester's rotation. Long relief with the big club is also a possibility.

Pressly is expected to serve in a setup role for the Astros following the signing of Josh Hader, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Manager Joe Espada declined to name a closer when asked Saturday at the team's FanFest event. However, Rome writes of Espada that he "sounded like a manager who will eventually name a standalone closer," and that's fully expected to be Hader. The team spoke to Pressly before agreeing to terms with Hader and Pressly is "all in" on the move, per Espada. Pressly should still be rosterable in deep leagues even in a setup role, but clearly his fantasy stock is way down following the Hader move.

Brebbia signed a one-year, $5.5 million contract with the White Sox on Saturday, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

Brebbia posted a 3.83 ERA and 1.31 WHIP across 124.2 frames during his time with the Giants, though he struggled in 2023 after returning from a lat injury, surrendering seven earned runs in 9.2 innings. The 33-year-old has worked as a middle reliever, opener and setup man throughout his career, and the White Sox's lack of bullpen depth also opens the possibility for save opportunities.