MLB Player News

Blach was added to the Giants' 40-man roster Friday, Andrew Baggarly of the Bay Area News Group reports.

The lefty has made a quick rise since being drafted in the fifth round out of Creighton University in 2012, opening his third professional season at Triple-A Sacramento and holding his own in the PCL throughout the year. He may never strike out enough batters to be fantasy-relevant in mixed leagues, but Blach has shown great control and may be one of the team's top injury-replacement rotation options during the year.

Garcia was added to the Marlins' 40-man roster on Friday, MLB.com's Joe Frisaro reports.

He is probably a top-10 prospect in the Marlins system, but that is only because it is such a bad system. Garcia posted a 4.91 ERA while striking out 35 over 36.2 innings (seven starts) at Double-A last year, and it's possible that he ends up pitching out of the bullpen long term.

Ramsey was outrighted to Triple-A New Orleans on Friday, MLB.com's Joe Frisaro reports.

The Marlins needed to clear some room on the 40-man rosters, hence outrighting Ramsey. A 26-year-old reliever, Ramsey has some impressive numbers, but he has now spent back-to-back seasons at Double-A.

Johnson was added to the Cubs' 40-man roster on Friday, the Daily Herald's Bruce Miles reports.

Johnson may be the closest to the big leagues of the Cubs' noteworthy pitching prospects. However, this move was primarily for Rule 5 protection. Look for Johnson to spend most of 2016 at Triple-A, and possibly slot into the big league rotation if there is a need in the second half.

Kahnle was designated for assignment by the Rockies on Friday, Nick Groke of the Denver Post reports.

John Axford, Wilin Rosario and Rex Brothers were also cleared to make room for four young players that needed to be protected from the Rule 5 draft. Kahnle was given a brief audition in the closer role in August, but he allowed nine runs in three appearances to lose the job after less than two weeks. The right-hander finished with a 4.86 ERA and 1.77 WHIP.

Axford was designated for assignment by the Rockies on Friday, Nick Groke of the Denver Post reports.

The 32-year-old was able to hold onto the closer job for most of the year after taking over for Adam Ottavino in early May, which speaks far more to the lack of options in Colorado than Axford's performance. He posted a 4.20 ERA and 1.58 WHIP in 55.2 innings, blowing six saves in 31 chances. Axford figures to become a free agent if he passes through waivers unclaimed.

Stephenson was added to the 40-man roster Friday.

Stephenson split time between Double-A and Triple-A in 2015, working to a combined 3.83 ERA with 140 strikeouts in 134 innings. He'll now be protected from the Rule 5 draft as a member of the 40-man roster.

The Phillies have received calls from multiple teams interested in Giles, the team's official site reports.

GM Matt Klentak said last week at the GM Meetings that it is not a goal to trade Giles this offseason, but the team will listen to offers. The Marlins and Astros are two of the teams that have expressed interest in Giles. He finished last season 6-3 with a 1.56 ERA, 16 saves and an 87:25 K:BB ratio in 70 innings.

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.