MLB Player News

Smith could be the favorite to close games for the Brewers in 2016 following Wednesday's trade that shipped Francisco Rodriguez to Detroit.

Of course, the Brewers could trade Smith as well, as he will be arbitration eligible for the first time this winter. However, if they hold Smith, he is statistically the best reliever on the roster, and has the stuff to handle the ninth. He had a 2.70 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 91 strikeouts in 63.1 innings as a setup man last year, so there is a lot to like here from a fantasy perspective if Smith is getting saves. Jeremy Jeffress and Corey Knebel could also be in the mix if the Brewers don't go with Smith in the ninth inning.

Guerra is not expected to compete for a job in spring training, Corey Brock of MLB.com reports.

Brock reported that GM A.J. Preller said Guerra would to come to spring training and compete for a job, but he simply misunderstood Preller. The player Preller was talking about was infielder Carlos Asuaje, who was also acquired from Boston on Friday for Craig Kimbrel. Guerra, 20, figures to open 2016 at the High-A level.

Padres GM A.J. Preller said Friday that Guerra will be given a chance to come to spring training and compete for a job, Corey Brock of MLB.com reports.

This is surprising, considering Guerra spent the entire 2015 season with the Red Sox's Low-A Greenville affiliate. However, there is a massive hole at shortstop in San Diego, and Preller seems intent on putting the 20-year-old on a fast track. Preller did say that Guerra is more likely to start at Triple-A, but an arrival to San Diego at some point in 2016 is now sounding well within the realm of possibility.

The Red Sox agreed to trade Guerra and three other prospects to the Padres on Friday for Craig Kimbrel, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports.

Showing impressive pop to go along with advanced defense at short, Guerra clubbed 15 homers and slugged .449 from the left side in 116 games at Low-A Greenville in 2015. He's an impressive prospect and there's a glaring need at the position in San Diego, but Guerra just turned 20 in September and it's unrealistic to think he will be an option for the major league team in 2016.

Reyes was suspended 50 games Monday for testing positive for drug abuse, Jennifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

Reyes is one of the Cardinals' top prospects in their minor league system, but this will keep him out of any lineup until the end of May. He's still only in Double-A Springfield and this will slow his ascent to the big league club in 2016.

Kolarek was signed by the Orioles following his release from the Mets in early October, Matt Eddy of Baseball America reports.

Kolarek, who pitched with Double-A Binghamton in 2015, improved upon his dreadful 2014 numbers (6.07 ERA, 1.75 WHIP in 56.1 innings), but not by much, posting a 4.43 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 67 innings with the Double-A affiliate this season and was subsequently released. He will now try to climb the minor league ladder with the Orioles.

Boscan will elect to become a free agent, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune reports.

Boscan found himself with the Pirates multiple times in 2015, but never managed to record an appearance with the club. He was designated for assignment back in August and will now get an opportunity to sign with another team. In 126 innings with Triple-A Indianapolis, the 25-year-old right-hander recorded a 3.07 ERA and 1.39 WHIP to go along with a 86:45 K:BB.

Rockies pitcher Chris Rusin took the loss Saturday despite a quality start, giving up three runs on five hits and two walks over six innings while striking out four.

All three runs came on solo homers, not a good showing for a Rockies pitcher on the road, but otherwise Rusin wasn't bad.

He'll finish the season with a 5.33 ERA, and his home/road splits are almost identical so that figure doesn't look like a Coors Field mirage. He'll likely still be in the mix for a rotation spot next season, though.

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman secured his 33rd save in Saturday's 3-1 victory over the Pirates, striking out two and not allowing a hit in 1 1/3 innings.

Chapman is putting the finishing touches on another season of dominating opposing hitters in the late innings, raising his strikeout rate to an eye-popping 42 percent after recording another two whiffs on Saturday. He has also turned in scoreless efforts in 10 out of his last 11 appearances. The 27-year-old has also now lowered his ERA for three successive seasons, with his current 1.66 mark representing his lowest total since the 1.51 figure he'd posted in 2012.

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen hit a batter and allowed a hit in a scoreless ninth inning while striking out one en route to his 36th save in a 2-1 win over the Padres on Saturday.

Jansen has had a ridiculous season for the Dodgers and he's the only reliable arm in their bullpen right now. The perfect scenario played itself out on Saturday, as Zack Greinke went eight strong innings and was able to hand the game to Jansen in the ninth. Jansen now holds a 2.41 ERA and 0,78 WHIP in 52 1/3 innings this season while striking out 80 batters.