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McKinley Moore RP | NYY
Yankees' McKinley Moore: Goes to Yankees via waivers
The Yankees claimed Moore off waivers from the Phillies on Friday, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.
Moore struggled in his brief time with the Phillies and has always had poor control, but he also boasts a 33 percent strikeout rate during his time in the minors. The 25-year-old is likely headed to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to start 2024.
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John McMillon RP | PHI
Royals' John McMillon: Throwing bullpen Thursday
McMillon (forearm) will throw a bullpen session Thursday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
McMillon made four appearances in August for the Royals before getting shut down a forearm strain, but he was throwing off a mound by the end of the season. It seems likely the 26-year-old will be able to go through a normal spring. He allowed one run on a home run and struck out eight over his first four major-league innings last season and could contend for a high-leverage role in 2024.
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Justin Wilson RP | BOS
Dodgers' Justin Wilson: Signs as non-roster invitee
Wilson (lat) agreed to a minor-league contract with the Dodgers on Friday that includes an invitation to major-league spring training, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Wilson was expected to return from Tommy John surgery in the middle of last season but suffered a lat injury just before making his 2023 debut, and he missed the entire campaign. The Brewers wound up declining his $2.5 million club option for 2024. The left-hander last saw significant MLB action with the Reds and Yankees in 2021 with a 5.29 ERA in 42 appearances, and he'll likely fill a lower-leverage role if he earns a spot in the Dodgers' bullpen.
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Daniel Hudson RP | LAD
Dodgers' Daniel Hudson: Could pitch in Korea series
Hudson (knee) is trending toward being on the active roster for the March 20-21 series against the Padres in South Korea, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicated Friday that Hudson still needs to refine his execution after missing most of the last two seasons with knee issues. However, it does not appear there are any physical limitations for Hudson at this juncture. The veteran reliever is in camp as a non-roster invitee, but it sounds like the Dodgers fully intend to add him to the 26-man roster.
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Blake Treinen RP | LAD
Dodgers' Blake Treinen: Likely available for Korea series
Treinen (shoulder) is trending toward being on the active roster for the team's March 20-21 series versus the Padres in South Korea, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Treinen made just five appearances in 2022 due to right shoulder surgery and had only three rehab outings in 2023. However, he's made progress since then and is evidently throwing without restrictions this spring. Treinen was one of the best relievers in baseball prior to his surgery, but he'll need to show his stuff is all the way back before the Dodgers trust him in high-leverage spots again.
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Alex Young RP | CIN
Reds' Alex Young: Sidelined through weekend
Young (back) is expected to be sidelined for a few days, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.
Young came out of a throwing session Wednesday with back tightness, but it appears to be a minor issue. The southpaw is expected to open 2024 in Cincinnati's bullpen.
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Nick Martinez SP | TB
Reds' Nick Martinez: Wants to start
Martinez said Thursday that he prefers starting but is willing to handle a bullpen role, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. "I haven't been shy in saying that I prefer starting, but I also find a lot of things I am passionate about as a reliever," Martinez said.
Martinez, who has been a swingman the last two seasons for San Diego, is one of 10 arms competing for a spot in Cincinnati's rotation. The Reds signed him to a two-year, $26 million deal during the offseason and expect him to fill a pivotal role. If the right-hander isn't starting, then he'll be called on in high-leverage situations. Martinez's versatility wasn't his only attractive trait; he was in the 98th percentile with an average exit velocity of 84.7 mph and 95th percentile in hard-hit rate (29.9 percent) in 2023.
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Huascar Brazoban RP | CHW
Marlins' Huascar Brazoban: Yet to report due to visa issue
Brazoban has yet to report to Marlins camp because of a visa issue, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.
Non-roster invitees Elvis Alvarado and Jhonny Pereda have also been delayed by visa problems. The 34-year-old Brazoban still seems ticketed for a spot in the Marlins' bullpen provided his absence from camp doesn't drag on too long.
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Jacob Barnes RP | TOR
Nationals' Jacob Barnes: Inks MiLB deal with Washington
Barnes signed a minor-league contract with the Nationals on Friday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Barnes' most recent big-league experience came with the Cardinals last year, as he held a 5.93 ERA and 1.54 WHIP with eight strikeouts over 13.2 innings. The veteran reliever will provide the Nationals with some experienced depth.
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Bowden Francis RP | TOR
Blue Jays' Bowden Francis: Being built up as starter
The Blue Jays are building up Francis to serve as a starter, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
The vast majority of Francis' minor-league appearances have come as a starter, though he has yet to begin a game on the mound through 21 MLB appearances. Francis holds an impressive 1.70 ERA and 0.84 WHIP through 37 career big-league frames, but even if he has a solid spring as a starter, he would need some attrition ahead of him to earn a spot at the back of Toronto's rotation.