MLB Player News

Jackson's contract was purchased by the Dodgers on Friday, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

A 24-year-old righty, Jackson logged 15 starts at High-A in 2019 before spending this past summer at the alternate training site. He can miss bats at a high clip, but has struggled with his command and control, which could limit him to the bullpen long term. Look for him to open the year at Double-A or Triple-A.

Uceta's contract was purchased by the Dodgers on Friday, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Uceta has a slight 6-foot, 155-pound frame, but he has the stuff to start long term. He was suspended by the team this past summer for breaking a security protocol, but he obviously didn't wear out his welcome. He could open the year at Triple-A, but this will be a tough big-league rotation to crack during the upcoming season.

Kranick's contract was selected by the Pirates on Friday.

A 23-year-old righty, Kranick made 20 starts at High-A in 2019, logging a 3.79 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 78:30 K:BB in 109.1 innings. He doesn't throw very hard, so he wouldn't be a great candidate to shift to relief. Kranick could open the year at Double-A or Triple-A.

Frias' contract was purchased by the Diamondbacks on Friday.

One of Arizona's most talented pitching prospects, Frias has a chance to develop into a high-strikeout starter or a late-inning reliever, depending on the development of his third pitch and his command. He has never pitched above Low-A but spent the summer at the alternate training site, likely setting up an assignment to High-A or Double-A in 2021.

Payamps was designated for assignment by the Diamondbacks on Friday.

Payamps had minimal usage in the majors in 2020, and he allowed one earned run while striking out two over three relief innings. The right-hander's removal from the 40-man roster makes room for several prospects who will now be protected from the Rule 5 draft.

Bukauskas was added to the Diamondbacks' 40-man roster Friday.

Bukauskas was part of the 60-man player pool in 2020, but he failed to make his major-league debut. He'll now be protected from the Rule 5 draft due to his addition to the 40-man roster.

Thompson's contract was selected by the Padres on Friday.

The move prevents Thompson from being selected in the Rule 5 draft. Whether or not he would have been chosen is unclear, as he's only thrown 22.1 innings above Low-A ball, struggling to a 7.66 ERA and a 22:19 K:BB for High-A Lake Elsinore in 2019.

Abbott's contract was selected by the Cubs on Friday, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

The move shields the 25-year-old righty from selection in the Rule 5 draft. Abbott spent all of the 2020 season training at the Cubs' alternate camp. In 2019, he made 26 starts for Double-A Tennessee, cruising to a 3.01 ERA and a 27.8 percent strikeout rate.

Thompson's contract was purchased by the Cubs on Friday, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

He missed most of 2019 with an undisclosed injury but spent this past summer at the Cubs' alternate training site. The 6-foot-1 righty turns 26 in March, so while he has only made one start at Double-A in his career, he could get some run in the majors as a depth bullpen arm now that he is on the 40-man roster.

Rondon's contract was selected by the Cardinals on Thursday.

Rondon spent the 2020 campaign at the Cardinals' alternate training site, but he failed to make his major-league debut during the shortened season. He'll now join the 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. The 22-year-old posted a 3.21 ERA and 1.23 WHIP over 115 innings at Double-A Springfield in 2019.