MLB Player News

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

Venditte's contract will include an invitation to spring training. He was acquired by the Phillies prior to the 2017 season and spent the entire year at Triple-A Lehigh Valley. With Lehigh Valley, he threw for a 3.36 ERA and 1.29 WHIP over 52 games (69.2 innings). However, while he managed to log 69 strikeouts in that time, he lacked control and walked 36 batters.

Crockett was claimed off waivers by the Reds on Monday.

Crockett was picked up by Cincinnati after the Indians dropped him from their 40-man roster in order to protect another player from the Rule 5 draft. While the 25-year-old spent most of his 2017 campaign with Triple-A Columbus, he's seen brief stints with the Indians in each of the previous four seasons, making 107 relief appearances and compiling a 3.44 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 62 strikeouts in 65.1 innings of work. He's also given up just three homers over that span. Crockett will likely compete for an Opening Day bullpen spot.

Moll was claimed off waivers by the Pirates on Monday, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

Moll, who was designated for assignment by the A's last week, made his major-league debut in 2017. The lefty appeared in 11 games for the big club, but struggled to a 10.80 ERA and 2.40 WHIP across just 6.2 innings. He's compiled a respectable 3.35 ERA and 8.4 K/9 across 215 minor-league innings (five seasons) and will likely serve as organizational bullpen depth for the Pirates.

McGough signed a minor-league contract with the Rockies on Thursday, Matt Eddy of Baseball America reports.

The right-hander spent the 2017 season between Double-A Bowie and Triple-A Norfolk in the Orioles organization, notching a 2.75 ERA over 55.2 innings. McGough will now head to Colorado to add some organizational depth, but he projects to at least start the year in the minors.

Beede was added to the Giants' 40-man roster Monday, Amy Gutierrez of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The Giants' decision to add Beede to the 40-man roster will protect him from the Rule 5 draft. Beede got his first taste of Triple-A ball last season, as he spent the season at Triple-A Sacramento. He started 19 games and pitched 109 innings and ended the year with a 4.79 ERA and 1.47 WHIP.

Miller was added to the Diamondbacks' 40-man roster Monday to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.

Miller appeared in 31 games at Double-A Jackson and 22 at Triple-A Reno during the 2017 season. Between the two he combined to pitch 70.2 innings and posted a 2.93 ERA and 1.09 WHIP. Miller could earn a chance to pitch in the big club's bullpen during the 2018 campaign should he continue his solid performance.

Weiss was added to the 40-man roster Monday.

Weiss will be protected from the Rule 5 draft now that he's on the 40-man roster. He spent the bulk of the 2017 season at Double-A Pensacola. He posted a 2.89 ERA and 1.18 WHIP over 24 games (28 innings) while striking out batters at a solid clip of 11.8 K/9.

Diplan was added to the Brewers' 40-man roster Monday.

In an effort to protect Diplan from the Rule 5 draft, the Brewers added him to the 40-man roster. Diplan struggled at High-A Carolina last season. Over 26 games, 22 of which were starts, he threw for a bleak 5.23 ERA and 1.57 WHIP. His control was lacking, as he posted a 119:71 K:BB.

Howard was added to the Rockies' 40-man roster Monday.

As a result of the move, Howard will now be protected from the upcoming Rule 5 draft. He put together another solid season in the minors, compiling a combined 3.32 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 104 strikeouts across 127.1 innings between Double-A Hartford and Triple-A Albuquerque. He'll likely start the season out at offering pitching depth at Triple-A.

Reyes (elbow) could join the bullpen initially upon his return next season, Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

When pressed on the matter Tuesday, President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak would not rule Reyes out for the start of the 2018 season. However, Mozeliak hinted that the team could hold Reyes back until closer to May 1, and deploy him in the bullpen initially, as a way of preserving him for later in the campaign. Reyes' future is almost certainly in the rotation, but the Cardinals won't want to push their luck with the top prospect. He underwent Tommy John surgery in February.