MLB Player News

Garcia (elbow) signed a one-year deal with the Dodgers on Friday, avoiding arbitration, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

He missed all of 2017 recovering from Tommy John surgery, but will rejoin the bullpen in 2018. Garcia hasn't pitched regularly in the majors since 2015, but he notched a 3.34 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 30.2 percent strikeout rate that season, so he has late-inning upside if he returns to form. The specifics of the one-year deal were not made immediately available.

Alvarez signed a major-league deal with the Cubs, Mets Minors' Jacob Resnick reports.

The Rangers designated him for assignment last season, despite the fact that his Triple-A numbers were excellent (2.33 ERA, 31.3 percent strikeout rate), and he limited runs (2.76 ERA) while striking out 17 over 16.1 MLB innings. Of course, his 14 walks over that stretch are concerning, but his stuff is pretty decent from the left side. He works strictly with a fastball (92.4 mph) and slider, which he threw a whopping 61.7 percent of the time in 2017. He should start the season in a low-leverage role.

Boxberger was traded to the Diamondbacks in exchange for Curtis Taylor on Thursday.

Boxberger will provide an immediate boost to Arizona's bullpen after accumulating a 3.38 ERA and 1.16 WHIP over 29.1 innings with the Rays last season. The right-hander missed the first half of this past year with an back injury, but didn't seem to be bothered by the ailment once he returned to the mound in late June. Looking ahead, it remains to be seen how the Diamondbacks will utilize Boxberger, but he's expected to appear in high-leverage situations for the club in 2018.

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.