MLB Player News

The Cubs and Alzolay avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.11 million contract Thursday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

It's a nice little raise for Alzolay, who was arbitration-eligible for the first time. The 28-year-old emerged as the Cubs' closer in 2023, saving 22 games while posting a 2.67 ERA and 67:13 K:BB over 64 innings. Provided Chicago doesn't add a closer from outside the organization, Alzolay is in line to serve in that role again in 2024.

The Reds and Young avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.16 million contract Thursday, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

Young was eligible for salary arbitration for the first time. The left-hander had a nice showing in 2023 in a full-time relief role in Cincinnati, posting a 3.86 ERA and 50:20 K:BB across 53.2 frames.

The Orioles and Tate avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.5 million contract Thursday, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

Tate will receive the same salary as he was paid in 2023 after he missed the entire season because of a forearm issue. With better health, the 29-year-old could return to a setup role with Baltimore in 2024.

The Rays and Armstrong avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.05 million contract Thursday, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

Armstrong was eligible for arbitration for a third time. The right-handed reliever was fantastic for Tampa Bay in 2023, collecting a 1.38 ERA and 54:11 K:BB across 52 frames. He's slated for middle relief with the Rays again in 2024.

Kuhnel cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday.

Kuhnel is no longer on the Astros' 40-man roster but will remain in the organization. The big right-hander has posted a 6.02 ERA and 71:24 K:BB over 83.2 innings during parts of four major-league seasons.

Hernandez signed a minor-league contract with the Dodgers on Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Hernandez was limited to just 9.1 innings in the minors in 2023 due to a pectoral injury, but it appears he's recovered from that issue. The 28-year-old right-hander holds a 5.04 ERA and 277:94 K:BB over 287.2 innings covering parts of five seasons at the major-league level. Hernandez seems likely to begin 2024 in Triple-A Oklahoma City's rotation.

The Brewers and Milner avoided arbitration Wednesday by agreeing to a one-year, $2.05 million contract, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Milner had been eligible for arbitration for the second time. The left-handed reliever is coming off his best season in the big leagues, having collected a 1.82 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 59:13 K:BB over 64.1 innings. Milner should be the primary left-handed setup man ahead of closer Devin Williams in 2024.

Holder signed a minor-league contract with the Rangers on Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training.

Holder spent all of the 2023 season at Triple-A Salt Lake in the Angels organization, posting a 5.40 ERA and 76:40 K:BB over 66.2 frames. The 30-year-old last saw action in the majors in 2020 and holds a career 4.38 ERA in 157 appearances at the big-league level.

Greene signed a minor-league contract with the Rangers on Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training.

Greene, 35, has bounced around a lot over the last couple years, most recently tossing two scoreless frames in 2023 with the Cubs. He'll be in the mix for a bullpen spot in Texas but will most likely be assigned to Triple-A Round Rock to start off the 2024 campaign.

The Mariners claimed Llovera off waivers from the Red Sox on Wednesday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Llovera was jettisoned from Boston's 40-man roster last week and has now found a new home. The 27-year-old posted a 5.46 ERA over 25 appearances with the Red Sox in 2023. He holds a career 5.80 ERA across 54 outings at the big-league level.