MLB Player News

Kolarek signed a minor-league deal with the Dodgers on Tuesday.

Kolarek spent the 2022 season with the Athletics, splitting time between the big-league club and Triple-A Las Vegas. He maintained a 4.58 ERA and 1.58 WHIP while pitching exclusively out of the bullpen in the majors, and he could get some low-leverage work for the Dodgers in 2023.

The Diamondbacks designated Gilbert (elbow) for assignment Thursday.

It's unclear whether Gilbert has made a full recovery from a left elbow strain that ended his 2022 season in early August. Having posted a 5.24 ERA in 34.1 innings before the injury, Gilbert appears unlikely to draw much interest on waivers. Then again, his 2021 no-hitter demonstrated his potential when healthy.

The Diamondbacks signed McGough to a two-year contract with a mutual option for 2025 on Thursday.

Playing in Japan, McGough had a 2.35 ERA in 53.2 innings this past season. He's posted a sub-fo4.00 ERA in each of his four seasons overseas and has shown enough for the Diamondbacks to offer a multi-year deal. McGough played at every level of the minors from 2011 to 2018 with stints in the Dodgers, Marlins, Orioles and Rockies organizations.

Boxberger signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Cubs on Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

The deal contains a $5 million mutual option or $800,000 buyout for 2024. The Brewers somewhat surprisingly declined Boxberger's $3 million option last month, but between the $750,000 buyout and his new deal the reliever comes out ahead. Boxberger held a 2.95 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 68:27 K:BB across 64 innings in 2022. It's possible he could be in the mix to close some games for a Cubs team which has a murky late-inning situation.

The Dodgers acquired Feyereisen (shoulder) from the Rays on Wednesday in exchange for a minor-league reliever Jeff Belge, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Tampa Bay recently designated Feyereisen for assignment after the team announced its signing of free-agent pitcher Zach Eflin, but the 29-year-old right-hander will reclaim a 40-man roster spot as he joins his new organization. However, because Feyereisen underwent rotator cuff and labrum cleanup surgery earlier this month and isn't expected to start throwing for another four months, he'll likely be moved to the 60-day injured list before Opening Day with the expectation that he won't be ready to make his Dodgers debut until late August at the earliest. When healthy, the right-hander has been an effective reliever at the MLB level, posting a 2.31 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 11.8 K-BB% across 89.2 career innings.

Wong was acquired by the Reds on Tuesday to complete the trade that sent Blake Sabol to the Giants last week.

Wong was sidelined in 2021 while he recovered from Tommy John surgery, and he spent last season at the High-A level and had a 4.52 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 108:44 K:BB across 97.2 innings. The 26-year-old should move up to Double-A in 2023 and could see the majors within the next year or two.

Alexy was claimed off waivers by the Nationals on Tuesday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Alexy had been designated for assignment for the Rangers last week to make room on the 40-man roster for Andrew Heaney. The right-hander has struggled during his time in the majors and also last year at Triple-A Round Rock, but he has some swing-and-miss ability.

Johnson's one-year, $5 million contract with the Rockies was formally announced by the team Tuesday.

A Denver-area native, Johnson posted a 3.39 ERA and 125:44 K:BB ratio across the last three seasons for the Padres. He is in line to serve as a setup man in front of closer Daniel Bard.

Johnson signed a one-year deal with the Rockies on Tuesday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Johnson's arrival in Colorado makes him immediately one of the team's most interesting relievers. Since his return from a stint in Japan, he's recorded a 3.39 ERA across three seasons, with his 32.2 percent strikeout rate offsetting an 11.3 percent walk rate. Elbow tendonitis limited him to just 14.1 innings last year, however, and he's heading into his age-32 season, so his health issues are unlikely to suddenly evaporate. Still, his strikeout stuff makes him a good fit for a high-leverage role, and he'll get a good chance to record his first career save next season if healthy. If Daniel Bard struggles or gets hurt, Johnson could find himself pitching in the ninth inning on a regular basis.

Carlton signed a minor-league contract with the Padres on Monday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Carlton saw limited time in the majors a season ago with Detroit, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out seven across 8.2 innings. He may have a chance to earn a spot near the back end of San Diego's bullpen, as he'll likely compete with Jose Lopez, Nabil Crismatt and other offseason additions.