MLB Player News

Sims was added to the Braves' 40-man roster on Friday.

The 22-year-old had a rough stint with Triple-A Gwinnett, but his 2.67 ERA and 10.0 K/9 at the Double-A level opened some eyes in the organization, leading Atlanta to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. Sims' nasty fastball/curveball combination could allow him to dominate in a high-leverage role if the Braves decide to pull the plug on developing him as a starter in 2017.

Thielbar's contract was purchased by the Marlins on Monday, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Thielbar spent 2016 playing independent ball and performed quite well, piecing together a 2.39 ERA and 1.02 WHIP across 64 innings pitched in relief. The left-hander has a good amount of big league experience as a member of the Twins bullpen from 2013 to 2015 with some success, but his unimpressive strikeout abilities could limit his ceiling if he sticks with the team out of spring training.

The Reds have four rotation slots essentially locked down, but will have a wide pool to choose among for their fifth starter, of which Adleman is one of those options.

Anthony DeSclafani, Homer Bailey, Dan Straily and Brandon Finnegan are near locks, barring health setbacks, but the team could go a number of different routes with the fifth spot, including signing a veteran free agent to eat innings. Hopefully they can clear the low, low, very low bar set by Alfredo Simon in 2016 in that quest. Adleman turned in a 4.00 ERA in 13 starts with the Reds last year, but his 5.35 FIP ERA is a better indicator of his likely potential.

Vizcaino (shoulder) will not pitch this winter, but he is expected to pitch without restrictions in spring training, MLB.com's Mark Bowman reports.

He ended the year on the DL with a shoulder injury, but it sounds like he should be fine for 2017. Jim Johnson and Mauricio Cabrera will likely open the year ahead of Vizcaino in the pecking order for saves, but it is a potentially volatile situation.

Jansen received a qualifying offer from the Dodgers on Monday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Jansen posted 47 saves en route to the best year of his career, so it's unlikely that he'll accept the offer given the high demand for elite relievers. However, this move will likely decrease his market value a bit now that teams need to give up a draft pick in order to sign him.

Hoover will not be re-signed by the Reds, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

According to general manager Dick Williams, "it's not in the plans to have him [in Cincinnati]". Hoover spent a bit of time as the Reds closer and is still arbitration-eligible, but the fact that he coughed up 28 earned runs in just 18.2 innings pitched could make things difficult for the right-hander this offseason.

The Giants will pick up the $7 million contract on Moore's contract for next season, Jon Heyman of Today's Knuckleball reports.

Moore had some ups and downs after being acquired by the Giants at the trade deadline, but he ended the season on a strong note and will come at a major bargain next year, so the Giants undoubtedly did not have to waste much time deciding on his option. Moore will occupy either the third or fourth spot in what will be a loaded 2017 Giants rotation.

Nolin (elbow) was outrighted to Triple-A Colorado Springs on Friday.

With this move, Nolin comes off the 60-day DL but remains off the 40-man roster. A waiver acquisition from Oakland in February, Nolin injured his elbow in spring training and ultimately underwent Tommy John surgery in August. Chances are, he will miss the entire 2017 campaign.

Kohlscheen signed a minor league contract with the Brewers on Tuesday that includes an invitation to major league spring training.

Kohlscheen spent the 2016 season with the Brewers' Double-A affiliate in Biloxi, but the right-hander impressed the entire season, sporting a 2.54 ERA and 12.3 K/9 in 50 appearances out of the Shuckers' bullpen. He'll try to latch onto the major league club's Opening Day roster, but spending more time at the Triple-A level is a very likely outcome for the 28-year-old.

Edwards (hamstring) expects to be available out of the bullpen for Thursday's Game 5 matchup with the Dodgers, Patrick Mooney of CSN Chicago reports.

The right-handed reliever had a shortened outing Wednesday due to a left hamstring injury, but Edwards told reporters that he'll be ready if called upon in Game 5. For a righty, Edwards was extremely tough on left-handed batters throughout the season, holding them to a .146 batting average. That ability to fluster lefties is valuable against a Dodgers' lineup that predominantly left-handed.