MLB Player News

Taylor (back) signed a one-year contract Friday with the Royals, avoiding arbitration.

The deal is worth $1.1 million, per Anne Rogers of MLB.com. Taylor missed much of the 2023 season due to left shoulder impingement syndrome and a herniated disc in his back, but the Royals will hope that he can return to full health in 2024 and be an effective left-handed relief option.

Staumont (neck) became a free agent Friday after being non-tendered by the Royals.

Staumont was designated for assignment by Kansas City on Tuesday and will now officially head into free agency. The 29-year-old reliever underwent surgery this past July for thoracic outlet syndrome and it's unclear when he might be able to return to a mound.

Cox (knee) was non-tendered by the Royals on Friday.

Cox was designated for assignment earlier in the day and is now officially a free agent. The 26-year-old left-hander posted a 4.54 ERA over his first 35.2 major-league innings in 2023 before suffering a full tear of the ACL in his left knee in early September. He also did damage to his left MCL and might have to miss the start of the 2024 campaign.

San Diego acquired De Los Santos from the Guardians on Friday in exchange for Scott Barlow.

De Los Santos, 27, registered a sharp 3.18 ERA with 123 strikeouts over 119 innings during his two-year run in Cleveland. The right-hander logged 70 relief appearances in 2023 and could be a bullpen workhorse for the Padres next season.

Cleveland acquired Barlow from the Padres on Friday in exchange for Enyel De Los Santos.

Barlow posted a rough 5.35 ERA through his first 38.2 innings with the Royals in 2023, but he turned it around to the tune of a 3.07 ERA across 29.1 innings following an Aug. 1 trade to San Diego. The 30-year-old right-hander should be a setup option for the Guardians next season.

Cimber (shoulder) was non-tendered by the Blue Jays on Friday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Cimber struggled to a 7.40 ERA and 12:7 K:BB over 20.2 innings in 2023 before suffering a season-ending shoulder strain in late June. The 33-year-old reliever is now a free agent.

The Athletics claimed Kelly off waivers from the Guardians on Friday.

Kelly was designated for assignment by the Guardians on Tuesday. The 31-year-old right-hander posted a 3.78 ERA with 16 strikeouts over 16.2 major-league innings in 2023 and should be a strong consideration for the Opening Day bullpen in Oakland next spring.

The Rays traded Faucher (biceps) to the Marlins alongside Vidal Brujan on Friday in exchange for Erick Lara, Andrew Lindsey and a player to be named later or cash.

After being DFA'd by the Rays on Tuesday, Faucher will now receive a new home with the Marlins. The 28-year-old righty put up a lowly 7.01 ERA and 1.68 WHIP through 25.2 big-league innings in 2023, and he ended the season on the 60-day injured list due to lingering biceps tendinitis.

The Royals designated Cox (knee) for assignment Friday.

In order to make room for the acquisition of Nick Anderson from Atlanta, Cox will be booted from the 40-man roster and placed on the waiver wire. Cox put up a 4.54 ERA and 1.26 WHIP through 35.2 innings with the Royals in 2023, but he could be at risk of missing the start of the 2024 campaign after tearing his left ACL and damaging his MCL in September.

Atlanta traded Anderson to the Royals on Friday in exchange for cash, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Anderson was a non-tender candidate for Atlanta, so Kansas City took the opportunity to land the 33-year-old reliever. Anderson posted a 3.06 ERA and 1.10 WHIP with 36 strikeouts across 35.1 frames before a shoulder strain put an early end to his season. With the Royals, Anderson may be called upon often in high-leverage situations.