MLB Player News

The Angels sent Kolarek outright to Triple-A Salt Lake on Saturday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Kolarek signed a major-league deal with the Angels in November, but he'll now be relegated to the minors to make room for Zach Plesac, whose signing became official Saturday. Kolarek logged a 3.80 ERA and 1.55 WHIP through 42.2 minor-league frames last season.

Balazovic will remain in the bullpen and compete for a job on the big-league roster this spring, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports. "I think our view with the best way to get Jordan to be the most effective pitcher with where he's at with the pitch mix and otherwise is to have him in that bullpen role," president of baseball operations Derek Falvey said last month during the Winter Meetings.

After working as a starter for most of his career, Balazovic moved to the bullpen at Triple-A last season and was called up to the majors in June. He had initial success with a 1.29 ERA and 10:4 K:BB in 14 innings, but struggled by posting a 8.71 ERA and 18:7 K:BB in 10.1 innings over his next seven appearances before being sent back to the minors in August. Balazovic was once regarded as a top prospect but has struggled with his control. He had a 4.5 BB/9 at Triple-A in 2022 and a 6.4 BB/9 in 2023. He can still strike out batters at a good clip (10.8 K/9 at Triple-A last season), so there's hope he can reduce his walk rate with a pared-down repertoire in the bullpen.

Vasquez signed a minor-league contract with the Tigers on Thursday that includes an invitation to spring training, Evan Petzold of Detroit Free Press reports.

Vasquez finished the 2023 season with the Tigers and posted a 3.35 ERA and 43:23 K:BB over 48.1 frames across 42 appearances overall between Philadelphia and Detroit. The Tigers already have two projected lefties for their bullpen in Andrew Chafin and Tyler Holton, and Vasquez will do his best to convince them to carry a third.

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

The move was completed in order for Houston to free up a spot on the 40-man roster for waiver claim Declan Cronin. Kuhnel, who turns 29 next month, has posted an unsightly 6.02 ERA and 71:24 K:BB over 83.2 innings during parts of four major-league seasons.

The Twins claimed Jensen off waivers from the Marlins on Thursday, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

A first-round pick in the 2019 Draft, Jensen made a full-time move to relief in the minors last season, striking out 55 over 44 innings out of the bullpen but also walking 37 while posting a 5.32 ERA. He has a big arm, so the Twins felt he was worth a roll of the dice in hopes that he'll be able to find the strike zone more consistently.

The Astros claimed Cronin off waivers from the White Sox on Thursday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Cronin had been designated for assignment last week. The 26-year-old reliever yielded 11 runs over 11 innings for Chicago in 2023 in his first taste of big-league action. Cronin doesn't miss many bats but has consistently posted groundball rates well over 50 percent during his time in the minors.

Poteet signed a one-year, $750,000 contract with the Yankees on Thursday, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Poteet had Tommy John surgery in August of 2022, making it back last year for one late-season appearance with Triple-A Omaha in the Royals organization. The 29-year-old holds a career 4.45 ERA and 53:27 K:BB across 58.2 frames at the major-league level. Poteet has options remaining and seems likely to begin the 2024 season at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Llovera was designated for assignment by the Red Sox on Wednesday.

A 40-man roster move was needed in order to add Lucas Giolito, and Llovera is the casualty. Llovera, 27, collected a 5.46 ERA over 25 appearances with the Red Sox in 2023 and holds a career 5.80 mark across 54 outings at the major-league level spanning parts of four seasons.

The Red Sox claimed Castillo off waivers from the Royals on Tuesday.

Castillo has collected a career 5.43 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 47:24 K:BB in 59.2 innings over parts of two seasons in the majors, making six starts and 15 relief appearances over that span. It's not clear which role the Red Sox have planned for him. The 24-year-old does have an option year remaining, so Boston could stash him at Triple-A Worcester if Castillo doesn't earn an Opening Day roster spot.

The White Sox designated Cronin for assignment Thursday.

Cronin will lose his spot on Chicago's 40-man roster in order to make room for Tim Hill, who signed with the White Sox on Thursday. Despite logging a respectable 3.83 ERA through 51.2 frames with Triple-A Charlotte in 2023, Cronin struggled to find his footing in the big leagues, surrendering 11 runs in 11 innings over nine appearances.