The Cleveland Guardians claimed left-hander Matt Krook off waivers from the Athletics on Thursday and optioned him to Triple-A Columbus, according to MLB.com's Tim Stebbins. In a corresponding move to make room on the team's 40-man roster, the Guardians transferred right-hander Ben Lively (elbow) to the 60-day injured list. Lively had UCL reconstruction and will miss the rest of the 2025 season. Krook, 30, was originally a first-round pick by the Miami Marlins in 2013 out of high school before then being taken as a fourth-round pick by the San Francisco Giants in 2016 out of Oregon. He will serve as left-handed relief depth for Cleveland after allowing two earned runs with a walk and three K's for the A's in 3 1/3 innings. Krook has a 16.20 ERA and 2.64 WHIP in just 8 1/3 relief innings in three MLB seasons with the A's, Yankees and Orioles.

The Athletics signed free-agent left-hander Matt Krook and right-hander Jason Alexander to minor-league deals late last week. Krook, 30, pitched one inning in relief for the Baltimore Orioles in 2024 and allowed three runs (two earned) while walking one and striking out two. He saw most of his action at Triple-A Norfolk, posting a 3.92 ERA and 1.39 WHIP with a save, 54 strikeouts and 31 walks in 41 relief appearances. Alexander, 31, hasn't pitched in the majors since debuting in 2022 with the Milwaukee Brewers, when he had a 5.40 ERA and 1.62 WHIP over 71 2/3 innings in 18 appearances (11 starts). He spent this past season pitching for Triple-A Worcester in the Red Sox's organization, going 7-6 with a 4.42 ERA, a 1.32 WHIP and a 129:39 K:BB in 29 outings (27 starts) covering 138 1/3 frames. Both Krook and Alexander are likely to start at Triple-A Las Vegas in 2025.

The Baltimore Orioles have acquired left-handed reliever Matt Krook from the New York Yankees for cash considerations. Krook was designated for assignment earlier this week by New York but it didn't take long for him to find a new home. He is 29 years old and has limited major league experience (24.75 ERA in 4 career innings). However, he's been sharp in the minor leagues and will likely find his way into the Orioles bullpen at some point this season. Baltimore designated utility man Diego Castillo to make room on their 40-man roster.