MLB Player News

Balazovic cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A St. Paul by the Twins on Tuesday, Darren Wolfson of Channel 5 Saint Paul reports.

While no longer on the 40-man roster, Balazovic will remain in the organization and join the Twins in camp this spring as a non-roster invitee. The right-hander posted a 4.44 ERA and 17:14 K:BB over 24.1 relief innings with Minnesota in 2023.

Cleavinger (knee) will not have any restrictions during spring training, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Cleavinger had ACL and meniscus surgery on his right knee last May but has made a full recovery. The left-hander boasts a 2.64 ERA and 39:10 K:BB over 30.2 innings during his time with the Rays and should work his way back into a high-leverage bullpen role.

Cisnero didn't report to Angels' spring training Tuesday and will be at least a week late to arrive due to visa issues, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

The veteran right-hander joined the Halos on a one-year, $1.75 million contract in early February but won't be with the team for the start of camp. Cisnero posted a 5.31 ERA in 63 outings for the Tigers last season, though his 70:25 K:BB is more palatable. He still has plenty of time to report before his availability for Opening Day is jeopardized.

Lamet has yet to report to Dodgers camp because of a visa issue, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Pitchers and catchers reported last week for the Dodgers since they begin their season early. While Lamet still has time to get up to speed, a late start won't help his chances at winning a job as a non-roster invitee. The right-hander held an 11.71 ERA across 27.2 innings with the Rockies and Red Sox last season.

Leone signed a minor-league contract with White Sox on Tuesday which includes an invitation to major-league spring training, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The veteran right-hander made 51 appearances between the Mariners, Angels and Mets last season but scuffled to a 4.67 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 54:28 K:BB over 54 innings. Leone posted a 1.51 ERA with three saves and 15 holds in 57 outings for the Giants in 2021, but his 1.51 WHIP across the past two seasons is likely to be more indicative of his 2024 performance, if he makes Chicago's roster.

Knebel signed a minor-league contract with the White Sox on Tuesday that includes an invitation to spring training.

Knebel hasn't pitched anywhere since suffering a right shoulder capsule tear in August of 2022. He's apparently healthy now, though, so the White Sox will see what he has in spring training. When we last saw the 32-year-old, he collected a 3.43 ERA and 41:28 K:BB over 44.2 innings while notching 12 saves with the Phillies in 2022. Given the state of Chicago's bullpen, it wouldn't be that shocking if Knebel makes the team and pitches in high-leverage situations, provided he is able to rediscover his pre-surgery form.

Diaz (knee) had no issues after throwing a bullpen session Monday on a back mound at the Mets' spring training complex, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

"Finally back," the right-hander said after the session. "I'm ready to go." Diaz missed the entire 2023 campaign due to a knee injury he suffered in the World Baseball Classic, but he appears fully recovered from surgery and ready to resume his role as the Mets' closer. While he is throwing off a mound, the 29-year-old has yet to begin fielding bunts or covering bases during defensive drills, but those milestones will happen soon enough as spring training ramps up. Diaz recorded 32 saves in both 2021 and 2022, and if he stays healthy in 2024, he figures to deliver similar numbers again.

Gose (elbow) was invited to major-league spring training.

Gose will have an opportunity to show what he can do against big-league hitters to begin camp. He missed the entire 2023 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, so this will be a good test for the southpaw, who made 22 appearances for the Guardians in 2022 (4.71 ERA and 1.38 WHIP across 21.0 innings).

Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns implied Monday that Reid-Foley (lat) is fully healthy ahead of spring training, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Stearns noted that lefty David Peterson (hip), infielder Ronny Mauricio (knee) and right-hander Kyle Crick (calf) are the only players who will be held out of drills to begin camp, which suggests that Reid-Foley won't face any restrictions after he landed on the 15-day injured list in September with a right lat strain. Before sustaining the injury, Reid-Foley -- who had missed most of the 2022 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery -- was effective over a small sample of 7.2 innings in the big-league bullpen, as he allowed just three earned runs on four hits and six walks while striking out 16. He projects to open the upcoming season in a middle-innings role.

Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns implied Monday that Adams (ankle) is fully healthy ahead of spring training, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Stearns noted that lefty David Peterson (hip), infielder Ronny Mauricio (knee) and right-hander Kyle Crick (calf) are the only players who will be held out of drills to begin camp, which suggests that Adams won't face any restrictions after he missed the final two months of the 2023 season due to a fractured right ankle. The 32-year-old spent last season with the Diamondbacks, finishing with a 5.71 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 22:8 K:BB in 17.1 innings. Adams signed with the Mets in November but was moved off the 40-man roster earlier this month, so he'll likely face an uphill battle to win a spot in the Opening Day bullpen.