Michael Rucker: Everything you need to know

The Mariners reassigned Rucker to minor-league camp Sunday. After sitting out the entire 2025 season, Rucker signed a minor-league deal with the Mariners in January and had been attending camp as a non-roster invitee. He's expected to open the upcoming campaign at Triple-A Tacoma and will serve as bullpen depth for the Seattle organization. Rucker, 31, previously saw big-league action with the Cubs from 2021 through 2023, logging a 4.96 ERA and 1.39 WHIP over 123.1 innings across 96 relief appearances.

Rucker elected free agency Monday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports. The Nationals booted Rucker from their 40-man roster and he has decided to try out free agency rather than accepting an outright assignment. The 30-year-old spent the entirety of the 2024 campaign in the minors, holding a 6.16 ERA and 39:11 K:BB over 30.2 innings.

The Nationals claimed Rucker off waivers Friday and optioned him to Triple-A Rochester. The right-hander was designated for assignment by the Phillies on Wednesday, and he'll stick in the NL East after being claimed off waivers. Rucker hasn't pitched in the majors this season and has struggled at the Triple-A level with a 7.36 ERA across 22 innings, though he was a solid bullpen piece for the Cubs in 2022 with a 3.95 ERA in 41 appearances.