• WEEI.com’s Alex Speier reports that the Red Sox have released right-hander Kyle Stroup (Twitter links). As Speier explains, the former 50th-round pick was considered a steal as an up-and-coming prospect, but he blew out both ACLs in a span of three seasons and was never able to rediscover the promise he showed prior to his injuries.
• The Indians announced (on Twitter) that Double-A southpaw Matt Packer has been released. A 32nd-round pick in 2009, Packer reached Triple-A as a 24-year-old in 2012 but struggled to a 5.50 ERA. He went back to Double-A and enjoyed a strong campaign in 2013, pitching to a 3.27 ERA with 7.0 K/9 and 2.6 BB/9 in 154 innings. However, he faltered in his only two appearances of the season earlier this month. Packer has dealt with shoulder injuries throughout his minor league career but has been effective when healthy.
• The Pirates have released righty Cody Eppley, reports Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (via Twitter). The 28-year-old had been working as a reliever at Triple-A Indianapolis, and carried a 6.43 ERA with 5.1 K/9 and 5.8 BB/9 through 14 innings. Eppley had a strong 2012 season with the Yankees but has not returned to that form since.
• MLBTR’s DFA Tracker shows three names still in limbo: Evan Reed (Tigers), Josh Outman (Indians), and Josh Stinson (Orioles).

• The Pirates announced that they have signed right-hander Cody Eppley and catcher Nevin Ashley to minor league contracts with invitations to Spring Training. Eppley, 28, pitched 46 innings of 3.33 ERA ball for the Yankees in 2012, averaging 6.3 K/9 and 3.3 BB/9. He split 2013 between the Twins, Yankees and independent ball, totaling a 6.08 ERA with 8.2 K/9 and 6.1 BB/9. Ashley, 29, slashed .235/.328/.374 for Cincinnati's Triple-A affiliate.

Eppley, 27, signed a minor league deal with Minnesota back on June 13. After posting a 3.33 ERA with 6.3 K/9 and 3.3 BB/9 in 46 innings for the Yankees last season, Eppley broke camp with the Bombers this Spring. However, he pitched just 1 2/3 innings for New York, allowing four runs before being demoted to Triple-A and ultimately designated for assignment.

In 24 innings for the Twins at Triple-A Rochester, he posted a 4.88 ERA with 7.5 K/9 and 4.9 BB/9. Eppley has 302 strikeouts in 272 1/3 career minor league innings, including 138 in 136 1/3 innings at Triple-A. When he's at his best, he generates plenty of ground-balls, as evidenced by his 60.3 percent ground-ball rate in 2012. He was one of 13 big league relievers with a ground-ball rate north of 60 percent in 2012 (minimum 40 innings pitched).

Eppley broke camp with the Yankees this season but pitched just 1 2/3 innings before being outrighted to Triple-A. He pitched 46 innings of 3.33 ERA ball with 6.3 K/9 and 3.3 BB/9 out of the Yankees' bullpen in 2012.

Eppley was selected out of Virginia Commonwealth in the 43rd round of the 2008 draft by the Rangers, and he has appeared in parts of three Major League seasons despite that being selected so far down in the draft. He is represented by Paragon Sports International.

The 27-year-old Eppley broke camp with the Yankees but was optioned to Triple-A on April 6 after appearing in just two games. Eppley allowed four runs in 1 1/3 innings in his outing prior to being optioned. In 102 1/3 career innings at Triple-A, the former 43rd-round pick has a 3.51 ERA, 9.5 K/9 and 4.6 BB/9.

Claiborne, 25, was the Yankees' 17th-round pick in the 2010 draft. In 204 1/3 minor league innings, the Tulane product has a 3.00 ERA, 8.8 K/9 and 3.5 BB/9. Despite a respectable minor league track record, Claiborne has never appeared on Baseball America's list of Top 30 Yankees prospect. He also failed to crack Jonathan Mayo's list of Top 20 Yanks prospects at MLB.com.