MLB Player News

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen said Monday doctors told him the growth in his foot shouldn't return after undergoing surgery to remove it, per MLB.com. Jansen is expected to miss 8-12 weeks after having surgery last week.

"The X-ray scared everybody," Jansen said. "But the MRI gave good news that it wasn't a big thing. They said it was mostly fluid that got into the bone, but if I had continued to pitch on it, the bone could get weak and get damaged, and they'd rather take it out now so I wouldn't be out a long time.

"It shocks you. There's so much stuff in your head. But the MRI calmed me down."

Diamondbacks pitcher Daniel Hudson is heading into spring training this year healthy for the first time in three years. He tore his ulnar collateral ligament in 2012 and after going through Tommy John surgery and rehab, he re-tore the ligament in his first rehab start.

"It's nice to not have to go in there and look at the rehab schedule for the day to see what you've got," Hudson said. "Instead, I just warm up normally with the groups and go out and do the normal spring training thing."

Hudson was forced to have a second Tommy John surgery before finally getting back on track.

"I don't think I ever will [stop thinking about it]," Hudson said. "For the most part, it's always just going to be there in the back of my mind. Two surgeries to your arm, so it is what it is. I've just tried to tell myself that I can't be scared about it, I can't be worried, because whatever is going to happen is going to happen."

Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale is happy to have him back with the team, but unsure of his role this year.

"He's a special guy on this team," Hale said. "We're going to do everything we can to help him be healthy all year. Is it as a starter? We don't know. He will be involved in the decision."

The Dodgers will consider their internal candidates when looking to replace Kenley Jansen at closer, according to the Orange County Register. 

General manager Andrew Friedman said the club will be "open minded" about free-agent options, but said he's confident in the team's internal options at closer. With Jansen set to miss between 8-12 weeks, it's unclear where the team will turn. Brandon League is the only candidate currently on the club with a lot of closer experience. It's not known whether he'll get the first crack at the job.

League posted a 2.57 ERA over 63 innings last season. 

The Dodgers announced that RHP Kenley Jansen had surgery to remove a growth from a bone in his left foot on Tuesday.

Jansen had an X-Ray, CT and MRI after reporting discomfort while running, last week.The tests found a growth on the fifth metatarsal, and doctors at Cesar Sinai performed the surgery to remove it. 

Jansen will be on crutches for 10 days, followed by a protective boot for three or four weeks. His recovery is expected to take eight to 12 weeks.

Last year, Jansen finished third in the National League with 44 saves. He had a 2-3 record with a 2.76 ERA. 

The Reds announced Friday they avoided arbitration with closer Aroldis Chapman by agreeing to a one-year deal for the 2015 season. Chapman will earn $8.05 million in 2015, per CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman. Chapman had filed for $8.7 million and the Reds offered $6.65 million.

Chapman has made the All-Star team in three straight seasons. He has also had at least 36 saves over the last three seasons.

With three starting pitching jobs up for grabs, Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale said Daniel Hudson will begin spring training as a starter, reports The Arizona Republic.

Hudson returned from Tommy John surgery last season and posted a 13.50 ERA over 2 2/3 innings.

"We're going to see how he feels and see where he's at halfway through spring," Hale said. "As of right now, he feels great, his sides have been good and he's very encouraging."

The Cubs and pitcher Pedro Strop have avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year deal worth $2.525 million in 2015, CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman reports.

The contract falls slightly over the midpoint of the figures the two sides exchanged in January, with Strop asking for $3 million and the team offering $2 million. The reliever posted a 2.21 ERA and 71:25 K:BB ratio in 61 innings over 65 appearances in 2014.

The Rockies signed pitcher John Axford to a minor-league contract Monday, according to the team's transaction page.

The deal includes an invite to spring training and a $2.6 million base salary, which could esclate if he reaches certain incentives, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman. 

In 2014, Axford went 2-4 over 54 2/3 innings with a 3.95 ERA.

Braves starting pitcher Shelby Miller had an up-and-down season with the Cardinals in 2014. He began the season by going 6-2 with a 2.79 ERA before going 2-7 with a 5.11 ERA over his next 16 appearances (15 starts).

Miller, however, was able to finish the season on a high note, going 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA and .190 opponents' batting average over his final seven starts. Miller attributes his success down the stretch to incorporating a sinker into his repertoire, per FOX Sports South.

"I said I'm going to throw some of these, and we'll see where it's at," Miller said of a conversation he had with catcher A.J. Pierzynski before an Aug. 23 start against the Phillies. "It felt good so we just went with it. I started throwing it literally within three days. It's a good pitch that I picked up quick.

"I still need a lot of work with it. I need a lot of work with all my pitches. There's all sorts of ways to get better. But I think that's definitely a pitch that will help me be more efficient and take me deeper into games. That's [the sinker] going to be a huge pitch for me this year that's ultimately going to take me to the next level. Not only that but kind of mixing it all together, becoming more of a complete pitcher more than a thrower."

Miller added he will also begin to work more on his changeup, which he threw just 2.2 percent of the time in 2014, per FanGraphs.com.

"I know [Braves pitching coach] Roger [McDowell] has been known for changeups," Miller said. "A lot of great pitchers have come through this organization, [and] that's a pitch I would love to pick up. I want to be able to throw it more consistently, [and] have a little bit more confidence in it."

The Rockies have avoided arbitration with pitcher Adam Ottavino, according to MLB.com.

Ottavino agreed to a one-year deal with the club. Ottavino will make $1.3 million next season, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman.

The 29-year-old posted a 3.60 ERA over 65 innings last year.