MLB Player News

Maurer (shoulder) will enter spring training with a chance to land a spot in the Padres' starting rotation, MLB.com reports.

Maurer worked almost exclusively in the seventh and eighth innings last season, notching a 7-4 record, 3.00 ERA, 1.059 WHIP, and 39:15 K:BB in 51 innings. However, he didn't make an appearance after Aug. 9 due to an inflamed right shoulder, which lingered into September and made the decision to shut down the right-hander an easy one. As a former vaunted pitching prospect, he'll likely compete for a rotation spot with the likes of Colin Rea (elbow), Robbie Erlin, and Odrisamer Despaigne.

Bard agreed to a minor-league contract with the Pirates last week, MLB.com's Adam Berry reports.

Bard has seen his career fall into a tailspin after he was one of the league's better setup men with the Red Sox from 2009 through 2011. He saw his command betray him in 2012, and has had difficulty finding the strike zone ever since, which has resulted in him making just two big league appearances since the start of 2013. Bard will hope that by connecting with Pirates pitching coach Ray Searage -- regarded as one of the league's top gurus -- he'll be able to revive his stalled career.

Sims received an invite to the Braves' major league spring training Thursday.

Sims had some ups-and-downs in the Gulf and Carolina Leagues in 2015 before settling into a groove at Double-A Mississippi. In nine starts at Double-A Mississippi, Sims worked a 3.21 ERA with 56 strikeouts, 29 walks, and a 10.6 K/9 rate. He'll join a number of other top Braves prospects in spring training but he's likely to start the season in the minors.

Dillard signed a minor league deal with the Brewers on Monday.

Dillard has spent the past three seasons at various levels within the Brewers' minor league system, having last pitched in a major league game in 2012. The 32-year-old will likely play out another year at Triple-A, where he posted a 5.50 ERA across 54.0 innings last season.

Ottavino's recovery from Tommy John surgery is going according to schedule and the Rockies expect him to be back by mid-season, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports.

The Rockies signed Ottavino to a three-year extension early Saturday, indicating that the team is confident that he will return to form after missing the majority of the 2015 campaign to recover from Tommy John surgery. He pitched well prior to his injury, notching three saves and allowing zero runs over 10.1 innings of work out of the bullpen. The Rockies signed Jason Motte during the offseason, making him the prohibitive favorite to close games, but Ottavino could compete for a setup role once healthy.

Tillman agreed to a minor league contract with the Brewers on Monday that included an invite to spring training.

Tillman pitched between the High-A and Double-A affiliates of the Dodgers organization in 2015, posting a 2.76 ERA in 58.2 combined innings of work. The former second-round draft pick has a history of control issues, but did improve some to put up a 2.61 BB/9 last season, the lowest since his second year of professional baseball. He also posted a 10.43 K/9 last season, making him an intriguing option going forward for the rebuilding Brewers.

Infante agreed to a minor league contract with the Phillies on Monday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Infante spent the majority of the season at the Triple-A level, where he posted a 2.77 ERA with 41 strikeouts in 48.2 innings. He hasn't appeared in the majors since 2010, but the 28-year-old could work his way into the big league bullpen if he can continue finding success in the minors.

Gott was included in a trade to the Nationals on Thursday in exchange for veteran Yunel Escobar, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

The 23-year-old Gott had an impressive first season in the majors in 2015, posting a 3.02 ERA and 1.238 WHIP over 47.2 innings of work. He should have a chance to carve out a solid relief role with the Nationals after the club experienced so much turnover and turmoil in the bullpen over the past year.

Hernandez is the likely candidate to take over closing duties for the Phillies after Ken Giles was traded to Houston on Wednesday, CSN Philadelphia reports.

Hernandez was one of the better setup men in baseball before missing all of 2014 recovering from Tommy John surgery. Now further removed from surgery, the Phillies are hoping he will regain his old form. The team has not officially commented on their plan for the ninth inning now that Giles is gone, but Hernandez does look like the best option out of the current group of relievers.

Hernandez signed a one-year contract with the Phillies on Wednesday.

Hernandez elected free agency following a 2015 campaign in which he posted a 1-5 record with a 3.28 ERA and 1.31 WHIP over 33.2 innings with the Diamondbacks. The 30-year-old reliever will join a relatively weak Phillies bullpen, and should serve in a middle relief role for the club.