MLB Player News

Kelly was designated for assignment by the Guardians on Tuesday.

Kelly is 31 years old and has logged only 20.2 career innings at the major-league level, but he's generally been effective when given a chance. The righty reliever could draw interest on waivers given the high demand -- and low supply -- for bullpen help.

The Royals selected Klein to their 40-man roster Tuesday.

Klein, 23, posted a 4.62 ERA and 93:39 K:BB in 64.1 innings of work this past year between Double-A Northwest Arkansas and Triple-A Omaha. The young reliever could make his MLB debut in 2024.

Staumont (neck) was designated for assignment by the Royals on Tuesday.

Staumont looked like a promising young reliever at one point, but he holds an ugly 6.09 ERA over his last 57.2 big-league innings dating back to the beginning of 2022 and required surgery this past July for thoracic outlet syndrome.

Alexander (lat) signed a one-year contract with the Rays on Tuesday, avoiding arbitration, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Alexander was claimed off waivers from the Tigers last week. He finished the 2023 season on the 60-day injured list because of a partial lat tear but struck out 44 batters and issued only five walks over 44 innings when healthy.

Criswell was designated for assignment by the Rays on Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Criswell struggled to a 5.73 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 27:11 K:BB over 33 major-league innings in 2023. The 27-year-old right-hander no longer holds a 40-man roster spot.

Faucher (biceps) was designated for assignment by the Rays on Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Faucher finished the 2023 season on the 60-day injured list because of lingering biceps tendinitis and posted a rough 7.01 ERA in 25.2 innings when healthy. He is no longer part of the club's 40-man roster mix.

Pacheco (elbow) was designated for assignment by the Tigers on Tuesday.

Pacheco underwent Tommy John surgery this past June and is likely to be sidelined through the first half of the 2024 campaign. He no longer holds a spot on the Tigers' 40-man roster.

Hanifee was designated for assignment by the Tigers on Tuesday.

Hanifee made his major-league debut this past season at age 25, but he gave up three earned runs in five innings of relief and posted a 4.38 ERA across 90.1 innings with Triple-A Toledo. He is now off the 40-man roster in Detroit.

Hartlieb signed a minor-league contract with the Rockies on Monday.

Hartlieb spent the large majority of the 2023 campaign with the Triple-A affiliate of the Marlins in Jacksonville, where he posted a 3.63 ERA and 46:18 K:BB across 44.2 innings. The 29-year-old righty has logged only nine relief appearances at the major-league level since the beginning of the 2021 season, but he could factor into Colorado's bullpen mix in 2024.

Rainey agreed to a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Nationals on Tuesday, avoiding arbitration, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

The 30-year-old righty missed almost all of 2023 on the road back from Tommy John surgery, but he tossed a scoreless inning against Atlanta on Sept. 30 and averaged 96.3 mph with his fastball. He should work in a setup role for Washington in 2024.