The Texas Rangers signed free-agent right-hander Jose Urena to a minor-league deal on Tuesday that includes an invitation to major-league spring training. The veteran hurler combined for 10 starts with the Colorado Rockies and Chicago White Sox in 2023, going 0-7 with a rough 6.45 ERA (7.28 FIP) and 1.61 WHIP with 22 walks and 29 strikeouts in 44 2/3 innings pitched. The 32-year-old will provide the Rangers with starting-rotation depth to open spring training, but Urena is likely to open the year pitching for Triple-A Round Rock in the minors. In nine seasons in the big leagues with the Marlins, Rockies, Tigers, White Sox and Brewers, Urena has a 4.89 ERA (4.90 FIP) and a 1.41 WHIP with a weak 15.5 percent strikeout rate in 839 1/3 innings over 199 outings (143 starts).

The Seattle Mariners signed free-agent right-hander Joey Krehbiel to a minor-league deal on Tuesday that includes an invite to major-league spring training. Krehbiel has made 70 relief appearances over parts of four years in the big leagues with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Tampa Bay Rays and Baltimore Orioles, posting a 3.65 ERA (4.74 FIP) and 1.19 WHIP with one save, 27 walks and 57 strikeouts in 74 innings pitched. The 31-year-old only made six relief appearances for Baltimore in 2023 and allowed just one earned run while walking two and striking out five. At Triple-A Norfolk, he went 1-1 with a 3.89 ERA, 1.58 WHIP, 25 walks and 32 strikeouts in 39 1/3 relief innings. Krehbiel will represent minor-league relief depth for the M's in 2024.

Baltimore Orioles right-handed reliever Felix Bautista (elbow) said that his surgically repaired right elbow is feeling good and he's been rehabbing in Sarasota, Florida, at the team's spring training complex this offseason. Bautista's goal is to be ready for Opening Day in 2025, but if he's ahead of schedule and able to pitch late in 2024, he wants to do it. The 28-year-old had Tommy John surgery in October and can be ignored in single-year fantasy leagues, even though there's a chance he could pitch late in September if all is going great in his rehab by then. The Orioles aren't going to take any chances with their full-time closer the last couple of years, though. With Bautista on the shelf in 2024, veteran Craig Kimbrel will open the regular season as the locked-in closer for the ninth inning.

Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran (toe) is fully cleared for spring training and won't have any limitations in camp. Duran had surgery to fix the flexor tendon in his left big toe in late August but should be fully healthy this spring and for the start of the 2024 regular season. The 27-year-old is expected to be Boston's starting center fielder this upcoming season after slashing a strong .295/.346/.482 with an .828 OPS, eight home runs, 40 RBI, 34 doubles, two triples, 24 stolen bases and 46 runs scored in 102 games in his third year in the big leagues. A full-on breakout in 2024 isn't out of the question for the speedy Duran, but his power and on-base skills still leave a lot to be desired. But if Duran can stay healthy all year, he should be a valuable contributor in all fantasy formats.

Houston Astros relief pitcher Kendall Graveman (shoulder) underwent right-shoulder surgery last week and will be forced to miss all of the 2024 season, according to the team. It's unclear what specific surgery Graveman had on his shoulder, but he said he had progressed to throwing off flat ground this offseason when the discomfort in his shoulder returned. For an already-depleted Astros bullpen, this is a big loss heading into spring training. The 33-year-old will enter free agency after the 2024 season. He started 2022 with the Chicago White Sox before being traded to the Astros. Overall, Graveman went 5-6 with 3.12 ERA (4.88 FIP), 1.31 WHIP, eight saves, 36 walks and 66 strikeouts in 66 1/3 relief innings. Graveman's injury will put more pressure on late-inning setup men Bryan Abreu and Rafael Montero.