MLB Player News

Philadelphia designated Coonrod for assignment Monday.

The transaction clears room on the 40-man roster for infielder Josh Harrison, who was signed to a one-year, $2 million deal. Coonrod was ineffective in 12 appearances with Philadelphia in 2022, recording a 7.82 ERA and 1.50 WHIP over 12.2 innings. If he clears waivers, the 30-year-old will be outrighted to Triple-A Lehigh Valley if he opts not to elect free agency.

The Marlins acquired Barnes along with cash considerations from the Red Sox on Monday in exchange for left-handed reliever Richard Bleier, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Barnes will move on to a new organization after the Red Sox designated him for assignment last week to clear room on the 40-man roster for outfielder Adam Duvall. While the right-hander is coming off a rough season and is owed $8.38 million for 2023 with an $8 million club option or $2.25 million buyout for 2024, Miami will pay the majority of his salary. Barnes struggled to a 4.31 ERA and 1.44 WHIP over 39.2 innings in 2022, but Miami's decision to take on his salary suggests he could be in line to fill a high-leverage role out of the bullpen, even if he doesn't enter the season as the team's preferred option to close games.

Roberts (elbow) has started a throwing program, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Roberts posted a video of him throwing at the Cubs' spring training complex in Mesa. The right-hander underwent Tommy John surgery in July, and he's expected to miss most -- if not all -- of the 2023 season while recovering.

Koch signed a minor-league contract with the Rockies on Nov. 22 and received an invitation to major-league spring training.

Koch spent the 2022 season with the Mariners, and struggled to an 8.31 ERA over 4.1 innings of work in four appearances. The right-hander has an outside chance of making the Rockies out of spring training with a strong showing in the Cactus League.

Colome signed a minor-league contract with the Nationals on Friday and received an invite to major-league spring training, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

The Nationals have had their eyes on Colome since 2019 when they attempted to trade for him ahead of the deadline. The right-hander has declined considerably since then, however, and holds a 4.82 ERA and 1.52 WHIP over the past two seasons. If the 34-year-old reliever can hold his own in spring training, he might crack a Nats bullpen with few proven arms, though he probably won't see much high-leverage usage.

Suarez signed a minor-league contract with the Cardinals on Friday.

The left-hander has been given an invitation to major-league spring training as part of the deal. Suarez played in Korea in 2021 and Japan in 2022. He saw action in part of three seasons in the majors with the Giants before that, holding a 4.66 ERA over 56 appearances (31 starts). The 30-year-old is likely pegged for Triple-A Memphis to begin 2023.

Covey signed a minor-league contract with the Dodgers on Friday, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

Covey last appeared in the majors in 2020, compiling a 7.07 ERA and 1.43 WHIP with 11 strikeouts over 14 innings in eight games for the Red Sox. Considering those numbers were an upgrade over his prior season with the White Sox, the right-hander is very unlikely to see much action in the big leagues in 2023.

Duffey signed a minor-league contract with the Cubs on Friday, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

Duffey has been given an invitation to major-league spring training, where he would seem to stand a decent chance of cracking the Opening Day bullpen. The 32-year-old posted a 4.91 ERA for the Twins in 2022 before eventually being released, but he held a 2.69 ERA and 174:48 K;BB across 144 frames for them from 2019-21. It's a fine no-risk signing by the Cubs.

Castano (shoulder) cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Jacksonville by the Marlins on Thursday, per Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald.

Miami designated Castano for assignment last week as the corresponding 40-man roster move for its completion of a free-agent agreement with veteran starter Johnny Cueto. The 28-year-old left-hander holds a 3.89 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 45:28 K:BB ratio in 85.2 career innings at the MLB level.

Antone's offseason throwing program has been slowed by a right forearm injury, per MLB.com's Mark Sheldon.

The good news is the issue is not thought to be related to Antone's elbow, which required Tommy John surgery more than two years ago and gave him a lot of trouble in the aftermath. The 29-year-old reliever will be eased into action at Reds camp this spring with the hope that he might be ready to be used in high-leverage situations at some point in the early part of the 2023 season. Antone posted a 2.48 ERA with 87 strikeouts over his first 69 major-league innings over the 2020 and 2021 seasons.