Brewers sign Tom Wilhelmsen to a minor league deal - MLB

The Brewers signed reliever Tom Wilhelmsen to a minor league contract on Tuesday, MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy reports. Wilhelmsen was designated for assignment by the Diamondbacks on June 11 and officially became a free agent on Monday.

Wilhelmsen put up a mediocre 4.44 ERA with a 17/12 K/BB ratio in 26 1/3 innings of work in Arizona. The inconsistent right-hander has seen his strikeout rate plummet in recent seasons after averaging nearly a strikeout per inning several seasons ago with the Mariners.

The first-place Brewers have had bullpen issues behind closer Corey Knebel. While Wilhelmsen will begin his new stint with the Brewers by reporting to Triple-A Colorado Springs, he could join the major league roster soon.

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CLEVELAND – The Cleveland Guardians traded outfielder Will Benson to the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday for outfielder Justin Boyd.

The defending AL Central champions also will get a player to be named from the Reds in the swap.

Cincinnati drafted Boyd in the second round last year out of Oregon State. He led the Pac-12 with a .373 batting average and 24 steals in 2022. The 21-year-old batted .203 in 73 at-bats for Class-A Daytona.

The 6-foot-5 Benson spent 28 games with the Guardians last season, batting .182 with three RBIs in 28 games. The 24-year-old struggled at the plate, striking out 19 times in just 55 at-bats.

Benson was once considered one of Cleveland’s top outfield prospects, but has since been surpassed by Steven Kwan, Oscar Gonzalez and Will Brennan.