MLB Player News

Barlow agreed to a one-year, $5.3 million contract with the Royals on Friday to avoid arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Barlow has worked as Kansas City's closer for the past season and a half, and he was effective in 2022 with a 2.18 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 77:22 K:BB over 74.1 innings. He went 24-for-28 in save chances and should enter 2023 with a firm grip on the closer role, though it's possible new manager Matt Quatraro opts for a more committee-oriented approach.

Sewald (elbow/heel) agreed to a one-year, $4.1 million contract with the Mariners on Friday to avoid arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Sewald led Seattle's closing committee last season with 20 saves and a 2.67 ERA across 64 innings, and he'll receive a well-deserved raise from his $1.74 million salary in 2022. The 32-year-old underwent clean-up procedures on his elbow and heel in early December but is expected to be healthy for the start of spring training.

Kittredge (elbow) and the Rays agreed on a one-year, $2.075 million contract Friday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Kittredge and the team will avoid arbitration after coming together on a deal Friday. The reliever appeared in 17 games with Tampa Bay in 2022, compiling a 3.15 ERA and 0.85 WHIP with 14 strikeouts and five saves over 20 innings. Kittredge could return to being a top late-inning option for the Rays in 2023 once he recovers from Tommy John surgery, likely in the summer.

Thornton and the Blue Jays agreed on a one-year, $1 million contract Friday to avoid arbitration, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The right-hander compiled a 4.11 ERA and 1.24 WHIP with 37 strikeouts and three holds over 46 innings in 32 appearances with Toronto in 2022. Thornton will provide bullpen depth for the Jays again in 2023.

Martin (shoulder) and the Rangers agreed on a one-year, $1.275 million contract Friday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Martin and the team were able to avoid dealing with the arbitration process. The left-hander ended the 2022 season on the 15-day injured list with a shoulder injury, and he recently suffered a setback that will affect his availability for most of the 2023 campaign. Martin will require surgery and should be considered out indefinitely until the team releases a recovery timeline.

Mayza agreed to a one-year, $2.1 million contract with the Blue Jays on Friday to avoid arbitration, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Mayza was once again a solid bullpen piece for Toronto in 2022 and recorded two saves and 16 holds with a 3.14 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 44:12 K:BB across 48.2 innings. The veteran lefty should fill a similar role out of the bullpen in 2023.

Richards signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Blue Jays on Friday to avoid arbitration, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The 29-year-old held a 5.34 ERA but also struck out 82 over 64 innings for the Blue Jays last season. Richards has plenty of past starting experience but appears pegged for a full-time relief gig again in 2023. He did serve as an opener for the Jays a few times in 2022 and might be used some in that role again for the upcoming season.

Alcala (elbow) signed a one-year, $790,000 contract with the Twins on Friday to avoid arbitration, Darren Wolfson of Channel 5 Saint Paul reports.

Alcala was limited to just two appearances for the Twins in 2022 due to an elbow issue while eventually required surgery in August. He's expected to be ready for Opening Day and has the potential to be a high-leverage bullpen option if he can stay healthy.

Bowman re-signed with the Yankees on a minor-league contract Friday.

Bowman hasn't pitched anywhere since 2019, as his career has been sidetracked by elbow problems. It would appear that he could finally be healthy now, although he'll have plenty of rust to knock off before being a consideration for the Yankees.

Taylor and the Astros agreed on a one-year, $830,000 contract Friday to avoid arbitration, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The left-handed reliever appeared in 19 games with the Astros last season, producing a 3.94 ERA and 1.56 WHIP with 19 strikeouts over 16 innings pitched. Taylor will likely remain a middle relief option for Houston in 2023.