MLB Player News

Smith, who signed a one-year, $5 million contract with the Royals in December, is viewed as the leading candidate to serve as the team's closer to begin the season, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Though he sacrificed more save chances to Aroldis Chapman, Jose Leclerc and Josh Sborz toward the end of the 2023 campaign, Smith still converted 22 of his 27 save opportunities over 60 appearances with Texas during the regular season and turned in solid peripherals (3.28 xERA, 1.06 WHIP, 16.8 K-BB%) over his 57.1 innings. Smith's left-handedness has occasionally worked against him at various points in his career of capturing a full-time closing role, but he should have a clearer path to the ninth-inning gig while he's part of a Kansas City bullpen that's lacking in much established talent. James McArthur and Nick Anderson probably represent the top threats to challenge him for the closing gig, but Smith's strong track record as well as his bigger contract than the other two helps his case for holding down the fort at the back end of the bullpen. Royals manager Matt Quatraro will likely shed more light on his plans at closer as spring training unfolds, but for now, fantasy players should draft Smith as the presumptive favorite to see the bulk of the save chances.

Luetge announced Saturday via social media that he agreed to a minor-league contract with the Red Sox.

Luetge didn't disclose the details of his contract, but it presumably includes an invitation to big-league spring training. The 36-year-old made 12 appearances at the big-league level for Atlanta in 2023, posting a 7.24 ERA and 1.76 WHIP over 13.2 innings. He was pushed off the 40-man roster on two occasions and ended up closing the season at Triple-A Gwinnett, with whom he compiled a 3.75 ERA and 1.46 WHIP in 24 innings.

Schreiber arrived at Fenway South in Fort Myers (Fla.) early and has been working out since Jan. 11, Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe reports.

Schreiber missed nearly two months last season with a shoulder strain and is motivated to get the arm in shape for the regular season. "I feel great," he said. "I'm fully healthy. I wanted to get down here early and get started building up." The right-hander earned the trust of Boston manager Alex Cora during the 2022 season (2.22 ERA, eight saves) and was leaned upon for high-leverage situations when healthy last season.

Bautista underwent a right elbow debridement and an ulnar nerve transposition Friday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

The first part of the operation cleaned up scar tissue in the elbow, while the second moved the nerve to free it up from compression. While not routine, follow-up procedures are sometimes needed for pitchers recovering from Tommy John surgery. Bautista's recovery is going well and the Orioles do not expect his readiness for the 2025 campaign to be affected.

Fulmer signed a minor-league contract with the Angels on Friday that includes an invitation to spring training.

Fulmer has re-upped with the Angels after making three appearances for them in 2023, yielding three runs over 10 innings. The 30-year-old has put up an unsightly 6.14 ERA over 77 appearances (14 starts) over parts of seven seasons at the big-league level.

Chavez signed a minor-league contract with the White Sox on Thursday and received an invitation to major-league spring training, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The 40-year-old Chavez defied Father Time last season in Atlanta, posting a 1.56 ERA and 1.10 WHIP while striking out 39 batters over 34.2 innings. However, a microfracture in his left shin forced him to miss three months of the regular season. Because of his age and injury history, the White Sox will play it safe by giving Chavez a minor-league deal, but the right-hander should easily secure a spot in Chicago's weak bullpen if his performance in the spring resembles anything close to last season.

Ramsey cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Charlotte by the White Sox on Thursday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The 27-year-old is no longer on the 40-man roster but will stick around in the organization. Ramsey put up a 5.85 ERA and 18:9 K:BB over 20 innings of relief with the White Sox in 2023.

McCaughan cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Tacoma on Wednesday.

McCaughan lost his spot on the Mariners' 40-man roster but will remain in the organization and has been invited to spring training. The right-hander posted a 5.83 ERA in 25 starts with Tacoma in 2023.

Fulmer (elbow) signed a two-year, minor-league contract with the Red Sox on Feb. 2.

Fulmer is expected to miss 2024 following UCL revision surgery, so he'll rehab with the Red Sox this year before joining their bullpen in 2025, assuming all goes well. The veteran right-hander held a 4.42 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 65:28 K:BB across 57 innings in 2023 with the Cubs before getting injured.

Lawrence signed a minor-league contract with the Mariners on Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Lawrence got into 15 games with the Cardinals in 2023, holding a 6.59 ERA and 20:10 K:BB over 27.1 innings. The 36-year-old figures to operate as swingman depth at Triple-A Tacoma.