MLB Player News

The Blue Jays signed Barnes to a minor-league contract Monday that includes an invitation to spring training.

Barnes spent the 2024 campaign with the Nationals, holding a 4.36 ERA and 55:20 K:BB over 66 innings. The 34-year-old will compete for a spot in the Toronto bullpen but will likely begin the season at Triple-A Buffalo.

Kowar (elbow) threw a bullpen session Monday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Kowar will likely open the season on the injured list, but the right-hander looks to be nearing the finish line in his recovery from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent last March. He'll presumably remain limited to throwing bullpen sessions and playing catch in the early weeks of spring training, but he could be ready to face hitters in live batting practice before the end of camp. Kowar has a minor-league option remaining, so the Mariners could choose to send him to Triple-A Tacoma once he's fully recovered from surgery if the big club doesn't have a spot available for him in its bullpen.

Montas was diagnosed Monday with a lat injury and is without a timeline to resume pitching, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Details regarding the severity of Montas' injury remain unknown, but the 31-year-old righty hadn't been throwing in spring training and will remain shut down for "a significant stretch," per Heyman. A firmer timeline for Montas' return should be available once he undergoes further testing, but he looks on track to open the season on the injured list. Montas' injury could improve the odds of both Griffin Canning and Tylor Megill breaking camp as members of the Mets' six-man rotation.

The Diamondbacks designated Martinez for assignment Monday.

Martinez was cast off the 40-man roster with the Diamondbacks needing to clear a spot for newly signed right-hander Kendall Graveman (shoulder). The Diamondbacks had previously claimed Martinez off waivers earlier this offseason after he held a 3.59 ERA and 36:18 K:BB across 52.2 frames for Houston in 2024.

Zastryzny signed a minor-league contract with the Yankees on Monday that includes an invitation to big-league spring training.

After being cast off the Cubs' 40-man roster earlier this month, Zastryzny elected free agency rather than accepting an outright assignment to Chicago's Triple-A affiliate. He quickly found work with the Yankees, who will give the 32-year-old lefty a chance to compete for a spot in the Opening Day bullpen this spring. Zastryzny made nine appearances in the majors with the Brewers in 2024, turning in a 1.17 ERA and 0.65 WHIP across 7.2 innings.

Sousa (shoulder) confirmed Sunday that he's fully healthy and has completed his recovery from the season-ending thoracic outlet syndrome surgery he underwent in April, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

After a strong finish to the 2023 season, Sousa was poised to win a spot in Houston's Opening Day bullpen coming out of last spring training, but he developed shoulder inflammation late in camp and was placed on the injured list. He was then recommended for thoracic outlet syndrome surgery, after Sousa said that he had been dealing with symptoms of the syndrome for years. Though he experienced a complication during the procedure involving a buildup of fluid in his lung that required a hospital stay, Sousa's throwing program was relatively unaffected. He resumed playing catch in early July and stepped back on the mound for a bullpen session by September, so he's not expected to face any restrictions in camp. Sousa faces stiff competition for a spot in the Astros bullpen, however, and the fact that the lefty has a minor-league option remaining could hurt his chances of breaking camp with the big club.

Montero reported to Astros camp Monday after previously dealing with visa issues, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Montero wound up being only a few days late in reporting, so his preparation shouldn't be too affected. He's owed $11.5 million in the final year of his contract but is in camp as a non-roster invitee.

Avila agreed to a contract Wednesday with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball, SI.com reports.

Avila will head overseas after he elected free agency in January rather than accepting an outright assignment to the Guardians' Triple-A affiliate. The 28-year-old righty made 54 appearances in the big leagues in 2024 between stops with the Padres and Guardians, logging a 3.81 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 82:36 K:BB in 82.2 innings. Though he worked exclusively as a reliever last season, he could transition back to a starting role as he heads to Japan.

Lawrence changed the grip on his sweeper this offseason, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Lawrence entered 2024 as one of Colorado's better relievers, but he struggled to a 6.49 ERA and 1.78 WHIP across 59.2 innings and quickly lost his role as closer. He consulted with pitching experts at Rapsodo Baseball this offseason, who determined that Lawrence was releasing the ball off of his index finger rather than his middle finger when throwing a sweeper. With the adjustment, Lawrence is hoping to regain his 2023 form that resulted in 11 saves and 11 holds.

Moreta (elbow) was placed on the 60-day injured list Sunday, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Moreta is still recovering from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent in March of 2024. The right-hander will now be forced to miss the first two months of the 2025 season while on the 60-day IL. The transaction opened a spot on the 40-man roster for newly-signed outfielder Tommy Pham.