Several notable international players have signed minor league deals as Spring Training workouts are winding down. Veterans such as Yuli Gurriel, Eddie Rosario, Trayce Thompson, and Robert Kaminsky are trying to keep their MLB dreams alive. MLB clubs are still setting up their rosters as the first Spring Training game begins on February 20.
Yuli Gurriel Signed Minor League Deal with Padres
Gurriel, 40, was born in Cuba and signed a minor league deal with the San Diego Padres on February 17, according to Francys Romero of Beisbolfr.com.
He will receive $140,000 and $1.25 million more if he makes the MLB roster. Gurriel is a right-handed first baseman, and he made his MLB debut with the Houston Astros at 32 years old in 2016. He won two World Series with them in 2017 and 2022. Gurriel also won a gold glove with them in 2021.
Gurriel won a gold medal with Team Cuba in the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece. He also played for Team Cuba in the 2006, 2009, and 2013 World Baseball Classics. His father, Lourdes, played professionally in Cuba, and his brother, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., is currently an outfielder for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Gurriel left the Astros after the 2022 season and signed with the Miami Marlins in 2023. In 2024, he played a few games for the Kansas City Royals and played in the ALDS against the Yankees.
His MLB career numbers are 98 home runs, 468 RBI, and a slash line of .280/.326/.438 in 3,398 at-bats.
Eddie Rosario Signed Minor League Deal with Dodgers
Rosario, 33, was born in Puerto Rico and signed a minor league deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers on February 15, per Ari Alexander of KPRC2.
He played for Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Series in 2025 and for Team Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic in 2023, 2017, and 2013.
Rosario is a left-handed outfielder. He made his MLB debut with the Minnesota Twins in 2015 and played with them through the 2020 season. He signed with the Cleveland Indians in 2021 and was traded to the Atlanta Braves at the trade deadline. Rosario caught fire with the Braves and helped propel them to a World Series victory against the Astros. He was the MVP of the NLCS against the Dodgers.
Rosario signed with the Washington Nationals in 2024 and was traded back to the Braves at the trade deadline.
His MLB career numbers are 169 home runs, 583 RBI, 65 stolen bases, and a slash line of .262/.298/.450 in 4,065 at-bats.
Cardinals Reunite with Rob Kaminsky on Minor League Deal.
Kaminsky, 30, signed a minor league deal to return to the St. Louis Cardinals on February 9 per a team announcement.
Kaminsky was a 1st round pick by the Cardinals in the 2013 MLB Draft. He went to St. Joseph Regional High School in Montvale, New Jersey, and was one of the best pitchers in state history. He won the Gatorade Player of the Year twice in New Jersey in 2012 and 2013.
Kaminsky is a left-handed pitcher who suffered various injuries after being drafted by the Cardinals, including Tommy John surgery.
Kaminsky made his MLB debut with the Cardinals in 2020 and pitched in five games. His numbers were 4.2 innings, three strikeouts, and an ERA of 1.93. He didn’t appear in any other MLB games.
He pitched in the 2023 World Baseball Classic for Israel and pitched 1.1 scoreless innings.
Red Sox Signed Trayce Thompson to Minors Deal
Thompson, 33, signed a minor league deal with the Boston Red Sox on February 17 per a team announcement.
Thompson played for Great Britain in the 2023 WBC. His brother Klay is an NBA shooting guard for the Dallas Mavericks, and his father, Mychal, also played in the NBA. Klay won four NBA titles with the Golden State Warriors.
Trayce is a right-handed outfielder who made his MLB debut with the Chicago White Sox in 2016. He played his last game with them in 2023. He spent most of his four-season MLB career with the Dodgers.
His MLB numbers are 45 home runs, 126 RBI, and a slash line of .212/.300/.411 in 935 at-bats.
Adam Ottavino Returns to Red Sox
Ottavino, 39, signed a minor league deal with the Red Sox per New York Post reporter Jon Heyman on February 18.
Ottavino was with the Red Sox in 2021 and left them in free agency for the Mets. He has been a Met for the last three seasons. Ottavino’s rookie year was in 2012 with the Colorado Rockies, and he spent seven seasons with them. In 2019, he signed a two-year deal with the Yankees.
His career MLB numbers are 743 innings, 859, and an ERA of 3.49.
Yankees Signed Ronaldo Hernández to Minor League Deal
Hernández, 27, is Colombian and signed a MiLB deal with the Yankees on February 9 per a team announcement.
He has played three winters in Liga Profesional de Béisbol in Colombia, with his most recent one for Caimanes de Barranquilla in the 2024-2025 season. In 86 at-bats this winter, he had two home runs, 17 RBI, and an OPS of .844. Hernández signed with the Tampa Bay Rays as an international free agent out of Colombia in 2014.
He was traded to the Red Sox before the 2021 season. He signed a MiLB deal with the Diamondbacks before the 2024 season. Hernández played 63 games for the Diamondbacks Triple-A affiliate, the Reno Aces, in 2024.
His minor league career numbers are 102 home runs, 445 RBI, and a slash line of .282/.335/.465 in 2,598 at-bats.
Yankees Also Signed Tyler Matsek to Minor League Deal
According to masslive.com reporter Chris Cotillo, Matsek, 34, signed a minor league deal with the Yankees on February 10.
Matsek is a left-handed pitcher and had Tommy John surgery in 2022 with the Atlanta Braves. He only pitched a few games for the San Francisco Giants last season. In 2021, he won the World Series with the Braves and was a big part of their postseason bullpen. He made his MLB debut with the Colorado Rockies in 2014.
His MLB numbers are 285.1 innings, 272 strikeouts, and an ERA of 3.72.
Twins Sign Erasmo Ramírez to Minor League Deal
Ramírez, 34, is Nicaraguan and signed a minor league deal with the Minnesota Twins per Bobby Nightengale of the Minnesota Star Tribune.
Ramírez is a right-handed pitcher who has played in the MLB for 13 years. He made his MLB debut with the Seattle Mariners and pitched for the Tampa Bay Rays last season. Ramírez also played for Nicaragua in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
His MLB numbers are 849 innings, 645 strikeouts, and an ERA of 4.37.
Phillies Sign Óscar Mercado to Minor League Deal
Mercado, 30, is Colombian and signed a minor league deal with the Philadelphia Phillies, according to a team announcement on February 14.
Mercado has played in two WBCs for Colombia in 2017 and 2023. Mercado is a right-handed outfielder and was a second-round draft pick by the Cardinals in the 2013 MLB Draft.
He was traded to the Indians at the trade deadline in 2018 and made his MLB debut with them in 2019. The Guardians designated him for assignment on June 21, 2022, and he was claimed by the Phillies. In 2023, he got another opportunity with the Cardinals and had 32 MLB at-bats.
His MLB numbers are 26 home runs, 100 RBI, 29 stolen bases, and a slash line of .237/.289/.388 in 890 at-bats.
Astros Signed Luis Guillorme to Minor League Deal
Guillorme, 30, signed a MiLB deal with the Houston Astros on February 13 per a team announcement.
Guillorme was born in Venezuela, and his grandparents immigrated from Spain. The Mets selected him in the 10th round of the 2013 MLB Draft. He played with the Mets through the 2023 season; last season, he played with the Los Angeles Angels, Diamondbacks, and Braves.
Guillorme played for Team Spain in the 2016 European Baseball Championship. They got second place and lost to the Netherlands at Hoofddorp, Netherlands.
His MLB career numbers are five home runs, 58 RBI, and a slash line of .251./.336/.322 in 1,010 at-bats.
Astros Also Signed Brendan Rodgers to MiLB Deal
Rodgers, 28, was the Colorado Rockies’ third-round pick in the 2015 MLB Draft. According to Ari Alexander, he signed a minor league deal with the Astros on February 18.
The deal is for one million dollars and includes an invite to Spring Training. He is a right-handed second baseman and spent his entire six-year career with the Rockies.
His MLB career numbers are 45 home runs, 197 RBI, and a slash line of .266/.316/.409 in 1,690 at-bats.
