MLB Player News

Ottavino is the "clear favorite" to open the season as the Rockies' closer, according to beat writer Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post.

This is strictly Saunders' opinion, but he is a legitimate authority on the matter as one of the Rockies' top beat writers. The Rockies signed Greg Holland on Wednesday, so that adds a right-handed reliever with a history of success in the ninth inning to the mix for saves, but it sounds like Ottavino should still be the top target in that bullpen in fantasy drafts.

Kolarek signed a minor league contract with the Braves on Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training.

The 28-year-old pitched well between Double-A and Triple-A last season, posting a 3.13 ERA with 63 strikeouts across 60.1 innings. His numbers have improved steadily over the past few years as he has climbed through the minors, and he will look to finally make it to the next level with the Braves.

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

The 26-year-old has pitched well over the past two seasons in Triple-A Albuquerque, accumulating a 4.18 ERA across 86.1 innings. He'll likely need another productive year in the minors before being considered for a call-up.

Rodriguez agreed to a minor league deal with the Cubs, Matt Eddy of Baseball America reports.

The 32-year-old spent the last three seasons with the A's, most recently compiling a 4.20 ERA across 40.2 innings in 2016 before undergoing shoulder surgery in September. He should be healthy and in position to compete for a bullpen spot come spring training.

Hoover signed a minor league contract with Arizona on Friday, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

The deal includes an invitation to spring training and could be worth up to $900,000 if he makes the team. Hoover had a disastrous end to his time in Cincinnati, posting a 13.50 ERA over 18.2 innings before being demoted to Triple-A Louisville. The 29-year-old joins a D-Backs bullpen which allowed 311 earned runs in 2016, second most in the majors.

Manager Pete Mackanin said Gomez will get a chance to earn his closing job back this spring, Jim Salisbury of CSN Philadelphia reports. "I'm going to give Gomez every opportunity to show that he's the guy that pitched the first five months and not the guy that pitched in September," Mackanin said.

Gomez racked up 37 saves last season before faltering in September and losing his job. Joaquin Benoit, Hector Neris and Edubray Ramos will also be in the mix for closing duties this spring.

Floro (arm) was claimed off waivers by the Cubs on Tuesday.

The right-hander transitioned to the bullpen last season and found some success in the minor leagues thanks to impeccable control. Floro was hit hard at the major league level, though, so it seems like a bit more time at Triple-A is still in the cards for the 26-year-old.

Kontos agreed to a one-year deal with the Giants on Friday, avoiding arbitration.

The terms of the agreement were not announced. He figures to pitch in middle relief this season for the Giants and won't offer much fantasy value.

Vizcaino (shoulder) agreed to a one-year, $1.55 million with the Braves on Friday, avoiding arbitration, MLB.com's Mark Bowman reports.

He is resting his ailing shoulder this winter, but is expected to be ready for spring training. Vizcaino is expected to enter the year as a setup man, and could be in the mix for saves if Jim Johnson falters in the ninth inning.

Torres and the Brewers avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract on Friday.

Financial figures of the pact were not disclosed, but the agreement ties Torres to the Brewers for another year. Torres is coming off the best season of his career, one in which he posted a 2.73 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, and 78:30 K:BB over 82.1 innings. Those numbers will garner Torres consideration for the closer's role if Milwaukee is unable to add a reliever in free agency, but he owns just four saves over 281 big-league appearances, so it's more likely that he begins the campaign as part of the group that will bridge the gap between the starters and the to-be-named closer.