MLB Player News

Kimbrel was listed as the Cubs' closer by manager David Ross on Tuesday, Gordon Wittenmyer of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Kimbrel's track record made him the obvious favorite, though his performance since joining the Cubs in the middle of the 2019 season means his grip on the role may not be too firm. In 36 innings for Chicago, he owns a 6.00 ERA, with his 35.2 percent strikeout rate proving insufficient when combined with a 14.5 percent walk rate and 2.8 HR/9. He can safely be drafted as if he'll be the team's closer on Opening Day following Ross' vote of confidence, especially as top alternative Rowan Wick is dealing with an intercostal strain, but he'll need much better numbers if he's to keep hold of the job.

Sborz cleared waivers Tuesday and will remain part of the Dodgers organization, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

As a 27-year-old with a 6.08 career ERA in just 13.1 total innings at the highest level, Sborz didn't generate any interest on the waiver wire. He'll serve as organizational depth this season and is unlikely to fill more than a low-leverage relief role.

Alzolay is vying for an open rotation spot with the Cubs this spring, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Yu Darvish, Jon Lester, Jose Quintana and Tyler Chatwood are all gone, and Zach Davies and Jake Arrieta have been added to the mix. Behind those two additions and returning starters Kyle Hendricks and Alec Mills, the Cubs seem to have a wide open fifth spot, and Alzolay may emerge as the favorite. He looked good in limited opportunities last season, posting a 2.95 ERA and 1.17 WHIP across six appearances (four starts). The 25-year-old had some decent prospect buzz as he moved up in Chicago's system, so the organization could be inclined to give him a shot.

Underwood is one of several players who will vie for an open rotation spot with the Cubs this spring, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

The Cubs have parted ways with Yu Darvish, Jon Lester, Jose Quintana and Tyler Chatwood this offseason. The team did acquire Zach Davies in the Darvish trade and decided to bring back Jake Arrieta, but there are still innings to fill behind staff ace Kyle Hendricks. Underwood has made 30 appearances for the Cubs the past three seasons but only one of them was a start, so he's likely more of a longshot rotation option at this point, but his status will likely become clearer during spring training.

Boxberger signed a minor-league contract with the Brewers on Sunday as a non-roster invitee, Kiley McDaniel of ESPN reports.

Boxberger made 23 relief appearances for the Marlins in 2020, posting a 3.00 ERA and 1.39 WHIP over 18.0 innings. He'll now join his fifth team in as many seasons and will compete for a major-league roster spot with the Brewers during spring training.

Brebbia (elbow) is currently on a throwing program and hopes to start throwing bullpens in March, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Brebbia signed a major-league deal with San Francisco in December after undergoing Tommy John surgery in June. While the right-hander won't be ready for Opening Day, he intends to ramp up his throwing program this spring and could return to game action around the halfway point of the 2021 campaign if he continues to make progress.

Beede (elbow) has started throwing bullpen sessions, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Beede continues to progress well in his rehab from Tommy John surgery last March. After he resumed throwing in September, he advanced to bullpen sessions this week. While Beede isn't expected to pitch in any spring games this year, the team hopes that he could be ready for game action in the majors or minors sometime in May.

Vesia and an additional prospect were traded from the Marlins to the Dodgers on Friday in exchange for Dylan Floro, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Vesia made his big-league debut in 2020 and struggled with nine earned runs allowed over 4.1 innings, and he'll now be heading to the Dodgers. The 24-year-old made nine appearances at the Double-A level in 2019 and delivered 16.1 scoreless innings with a 25:1 K:BB, and he could compete for a bullpen spot in Los Angeles.

Floro was traded from the Dodgers to the Marlins on Friday in exchange for Alex Vesia and an undisclosed prospect, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Floro doesn't have the strikeout stuff of a bullpen ace, striking out just 20.2 percent of opposing batters over the course of his five-year career, but he's had success nonetheless, posting a 3.33 ERA for his career and a 2.59 ERA in 24.1 innings last season. His 53.7 percent groundball rate has helped him keep runs off the board despite a modest amount of whiffs. That's typically a profile better suited for middle relief than high-leverage work, but the Marlins' bullpen isn't exactly full of big names, so it's entirely possible he picks up his first career save this season.

Melancon signed with the Padres on Friday, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

The financial terms of the deal have not yet been disclosed. The 35-year-old may not be the pitcher he was at his peak, when he cruised to a 1.80 ERA and saved 147 games over a four-year stretch from 2013 to 2016, but he can still help a contender like the Padres. He saved 11 games for the Braves last season while posting a 2.78 ERA, though his 14.7 percent strikeout rate was worryingly low for a high-leverage reliever. That lack of whiffs also means he's unlikely to have much fantasy value if he's not closing games, though it's entirely possible he beats out the likes of Drew Pomeranz and Emilio Pagan to become the Padres' top option in the ninth inning.