The Athletics have extended Kurtz an invitation to big-league camp during spring training.

The No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 First-Year Player Draft, Kurtz hit the ground running in his pro debut, slashing .368/.520/.763 with four homers in 12 games between Single-A Stockton and Double-A Midland. He then went on to mash in the Arizona Fall League as well with a 1.058 OPS in 13 contests. Kurtz, who will turn 22 in March, will likely go back to Midland to begin 2025 but could push to make his MLB debut late in the season if things go well.

The Athletics designated Klein for assignment Friday.

The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Jose Leclerc, who was signed Friday. Klein, who was acquired from the Royals at the trade deadline as part of the return for Lucas Erceg, allowed nine runs with a 7:6 K:BB over 7.1 innings in his first go-round in the majors in 2024. However, the big righty throws hard and has 30.4 percent strikeout rate at the minor-league level, so he figures to draw some interest via trade or waivers.

The Athletics signed Leclerc to a one-year, $10 million contract Friday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Although he finished with a 4.32 ERA, Leclerc also posted a 30.9 percent strikeout rate in 2024, his highest mark since 2019. The 31-year-old has never had a single-season walk rate in the single digits, so the A's are likely just hoping he can miss enough bats to overcome the inevitable lapses of control. Leclerc will be a setup man ahead of star closer Mason Miller.

The Mariners signed Fujinami to a minor-league contract Friday that includes an invitation to spring training, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

Fujinami dealt with a shoulder injury this past season and posted a 6.68 ERA and 38:33 K:BB over 32.1 innings for Triple-A Syracuse in the Mets organization. The 30-year-old struck out 83 in 79 frames between the Athletics and Orioles in 2023 but also walked 45 and held a 7.18 ERA.

Minter (hip) agreed to a two-year, $22 million contract with the Mets on Friday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

The Mets were known to be seeking a high-leverage reliever and have landed one of the better ones available in Minter. The 31-year-old southpaw was limited to 39 appearances for Atlanta in 2024 due to a left hip injury which eventually required surgery, but he was highly effective when on the bump, compiling a 2.62 ERA and 35:11 K:BB over 34.1 innings. Since 2020, Minter boasts a 2.85 ERA and 30.1 percent strikeout rate. There's no word on how far along he is in his recovery, but he will presumably be ready to go by Opening Day. He'll operate in a setup role ahead of closer Edwin Diaz next season at least, but the two-year deal has an opt-out after 2025.

The Mariners outrighted Raposo to Triple-A Tacoma.

He's no longer on the 40-man roster but will remain in the organization as catching depth. Raposo, 26, has a career .241/.321/.387 slash line in the minors and has yet to see any action at the big-league level.

The Orioles outrighted Soto to Triple-A Norfolk on Friday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Soto is no longer on Baltimore's 40-man roster but will remain in its organization. The utility infielder went 3-for-13 at the plate in 2024 between brief stints with the Reds and Orioles.

The Pirates acquired Shugart from the Red Sox on Friday in exchange for Matt McShane, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Shugart had been designated for assignment. The 28-year-old reached the big leagues for the first time this past season, yielding four runs over 8.2 relief innings. Shugart will compete for a spot in the Pirates' bullpen.

Atlanta designated Winans for assignment Friday.

The move frees a spot on the 40-man roster for Amos Willingham, who was claimed off waivers. Winans, 29, has made eight starts at the big-league level since the beginning of the 2023 season, putting up a 7.20 ERA and 38:12 K:BB across 40 innings.

Atlanta claimed Willingham off waivers from the Nationals on Friday.

Willingham had been designated for assignment and is now on the move to another 40-man roster in the NL East. The 26-year-old has made 19 appearances in the majors since the start of the 2023 season, collecting a 7.11 ERA and 16:9 K:BB across 25.1 frames.