MLB Player News

Castillo was designated for assignment by the Royals on Tuesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Kansas City had to free up a 40-man roster spot for Hunter Renfroe, whose two-year, $13 million contract is now official. Castillo, 24, holds a 5.43 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 47:24 K:BB in 59.2 career major-league innings.

The Orioles acquired Heasley from the Royals on Monday in exchange for Cesar Espinal, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Heasley was moved to the bullpen full-time in June last season and flashed some promise, but the results ultimately weren't there, as he held a 7.20 ERA and 9:2 K:BB over 15 innings during his time with the big club. The Orioles obviously see some potential with the righty and will try to coax more out of him.

Gott signed a one-year contract Friday with the Athletics, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Gott registered a decent 4.19 ERA and 62:19 K:BB in 58 innings of relief last season between the Mariners and Mets while holding right-handed batters to a .222/.280/.306 slash line. The 31-year-old is now with his seventh different MLB team and projects to fill a high-leverage role in Oakland's patchwork bullpen.

Reyes signed a minor-league contract with the Athletics on Sunday.

Reyes struggled to get going last season, allowing eight runs in 9.2 major-league innings while posting a 5.58 ERA and 1.57 WHIP in Triple-A. Despite Reyes' lack of success, the Athletics' unstable bullpen situation keeps his chances of appearing in the majors next season alive.

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

According to Petzold, Wingenter will earn $1.2 million if he makes the majors. The 29-year-old has struck out 121 over 87 career innings at the big-league level, but he barely pitched from 2020-22 due to Tommy John and back surgeries and missed more time in 2023 because of right shoulder tendinitis. Wingenter is healthy now, though, and if he stays that way could have a decent shot to win a bullpen job.

Pepiot was traded from the Dodgers to the Rays along with Jonny DeLuca in exchange for Tyler Glasnow and Manuel Margot on Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Pepiot missed most of the 2023 season with an oblique injury, though he ended the season healthy while handling a full starting workload. He also enjoyed plenty of success, maintaining a 2.14 ERA with a 38:5 K:BB across 42 innings. Pepiot should step into a top rotation spot with the Rays and will remain in a good position to succeed, moving from one strong organization to another.

Underwood signed a minor-league contract with the Yankees on Thursday and received an invitation to major-league spring training, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Underwood registered a 5.18 ERA and 1.44 WHIP across 24.1 innings with the Pirates last season before being optioned to Triple-A, where his ERA jumped up to 6.30. He'll likely fill in as organizational bullpen depth with the Yankees and head to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to begin 2024.

Ramirez was designated for assignment by the White Sox on Wednesday.

This move clears out a 40-man roster spot for Erick Fedde, whose two-year, $15 million deal with Chicago is now official. Ramirez, 28, has bounced between four different teams over the last two seasons while registering a 4.40 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 67:37 K:BB across 75.2 innings.

Pacheco (elbow) signed a minor-league contract with the Tigers last week, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Pacheco was non-tendered by the Tigers last month but is back on a minors deal as he continues his recovery from Tommy John surgery. The 25-year-old reliever has progressed to playing catch three times per week at 60 feet and is hopeful of being an option for Detroit at some point after the All-Star break.

Criswell signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Red Sox on Tuesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Criswell was designated for assignment by the Rays and later non-tendered after recording a 5.73 ERA and 1.55 WHIP with 27 strikeouts across 33 innings last season. The 27-year-old righty will now join the Red Sox's pitching staff as a low-risk depth piece, and he'll likely fill in as a multi-inning relief option.