MLB Player News

The Phillies acquired Uelmen from the Cubs on Wednesday in exchange for cash considerations.

Uelmen appeared in 25 games with the Cubs last season, producing a 4.67 ERA and 1.37 WHIP with 21 strikeouts over 27 innings. The 26-year-old will provide the Phillies with another right-handed option in their bullpen ahead of Craig Kimbrel, who will likely get the first shot at being the team's closer in 2023. In order to make space on the 40-man roster for Uelmen, Vinny Nittoli was designated for assignment Wednesday.

Carasiti signed a minor-league contract with the Rockies last month.

The deal includes an invitation to major-league spring training. Carasiti, 31, split 2022 between Triple-A Sacramento in the Giants organization and the independent league Long Island Ducks. He came up in the Rockies' system and first reached the majors with them back in 2016.

Reed was designated for assignment by the Dodgers on Thursday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Reed was claimed off waivers by the Dodgers in mid-November after being designated for assignment by Boston, but he'll lose his spot on the Dodgers' 40-man roster after the team announced the signing of J.D. Martinez. Reed made 18 relief appearances between the Orioles, Dodgers and Mets last year, and he posted a 7.02 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in 16.2 innings.

Luetge was traded by the Yankees to Atlanta on Wednesday in exchange for Indigo Diaz and Caleb Durbin.

After being designated for assignment by the Yankees last week, Luetge will get another chance to contribute to a major-league bullpen in Atlanta. Coming off the heels of a 2.67 ERA season through 57.1 innings, the veteran lefty has seemingly revived his career since joining the Yankees in 2021. However, Luetge will turn 36 in March, so it's worth wondering how long it will be before he starts to decline.

Wilson was designated for assignment by the Pirates on Wednesday, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

Upon the official announcement of Jarlin Garcia's arrival in Pittsburgh, Wilson was booted from the 40-man roster in order to make room for the new acquisition. Wilson has put up an ERA north of 5.30 and a 1.40+ WHIP in each of the past two seasons, so the next team to take a chance on him may place him in Triple-A until he shows signs of improvement.

Busenitz joined the Reds as a non-roster invitee Tuesday.

Busenitz owns a 4.58 ERA in 57 career major-league innings, the last of which came in 2018. He's spent the last four years with the Rakuten Eagles in Japan, where he's cruised to a 2.83 ERA in 155.2 innings. The 32-year-old righty will try to earn a bullpen spot in camp.

Kimbrel signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Phillies on Friday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Kimbrel had an OK season in 2022, recording a 3.75 ERA and 1.32 WHIP through 60 innings while racking up 22 saves as the Dodgers' closer. While the 34-year-old reliever has begun to show his age a bit over the past few seasons, he'll be a valuable piece for a Phillies bullpen that ranked in the bottom third in ERA last season (4.27). Kimbrel will likely begin 2023 as Philadelphia's closer.

Kay was claimed off waivers by the Cubs on Friday.

After being designated for assignment by Toronto a week ago, Kay will now compete for a spot in the Cubs' bullpen. He spent most of 2022 sidelined with an injury and recorded a 5.40 ERA and 1.60 WHIP through 20 frames in Triple-A while he was healthy. Alfonso Rivas was designated for assignment as a corresponding move.

Gilbert cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Reno on Thursday.

Gilbert will remain in the organization after passing through waivers unclaimed. The left-hander posted a 5.24 ERA in 34.1 innings in 2022 before an elbow injury ended his season.

Rogers signed a three-year, $33 million contract with the Giants on Friday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

The left-hander will be reunited with his twin brother, Tyler, in the San Francisco bullpen. Taylor finished with a 4.76 ERA over 64.1 innings between the Padres and Brewers in 2022, although that came with an excellent 84:19 K:BB. Camilo Doval should still have a clear leg up for saves in the Giants' bullpen, but the team's newest Rogers could enter the mix with Gabe Kapler often liking to play matchups.