MLB Player News

Rainey agreed to a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Nationals on Tuesday, avoiding arbitration, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

The 30-year-old righty missed almost all of 2023 on the road back from Tommy John surgery, but he tossed a scoreless inning against Atlanta on Sept. 30 and averaged 96.3 mph with his fastball. He should work in a setup role for Washington in 2024.

The Cardinals outrighted Naughton (elbow) to Triple-A Memphis on Tuesday.

Naughton made only four major-league appearances in 2023 before requiring June surgery to repair the flexor tendon in his left elbow. The 27-year-old southpaw is now off the 40-man roster in St. Louis.

Atlanta claimed Murfee (elbow) off waivers from the Mets on Tuesday.

The Mets claimed Murfee off waivers from the Mariners in late October, but he's now moving on to a different organization in the NL East. The 29-year-old reliever underwent surgery this past July to repair the UCL in his right elbow and is expected to miss the first half of the 2024 campaign.

Davidson cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

Davidson was claimed off waivers last month and signed a major-league contract with the Orioles last week, but he's now off the 40-man roster. The O's are doing some 40-man roster housecleaning ahead of the Rule 5 Draft protection deadline.

Machado was released by the Nationals on Tuesday.

Machado apparently has a deal lined up with a team in Japan. He posted a 5.22 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 43:13 K:BB over 50 innings of relief with Washington in 2023.

The Nationals designated Abbott for assignment Tuesday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

The Nats needed to free up some space on the 40-man roster prior to the Rule 5 protection deadline and Abbott is one of the casualties. Abbott posted a 6.64 ERA across 22 relief appearances with the big club in 2023 and seems likely to pass through waivers unclaimed.

Rodriguez (shoulder) elected to become a free agent Monday.

The Cardinals outrighted Rodriguez off their 40-man roster and offered the Rule 5 pick back to the Yankees, but they declined. The reliever never pitched for the Cards, as he was limited to just seven games in the minors due to a shoulder injury which eventually required surgery. Rodriguez nearly made it back late in the season, but it's not clear what his current health situation is.

Clarke signed a one-year contract with the Royals on Saturday, avoiding arbitration.

The Royals will keep Clarke in their bullpen for the 2024 campaign despite the 30-year-old reliever posting a 5.95 ERA and 1.61 WHIP last season -- both the worst marks of his career. Clarke struck out 65 batters in 59 innings, but his fantasy value will continue to be limited until he finds a way to prevent runs from scoring.

Davidson signed a one-year contract with the the Orioles on Wednesday.

After Davidson was non-tendered by the Royals, the Orioles picked him up via a waiver claim and now have him under contract for 2024. The 27-year-old appeared in 38 games for the Angels and Royals in 2023, posting a 5.96 ERA across 51.1 innings. He'll provide bullpen depth for the O's.

Cronin (back) was sent outright Friday to Triple-A Rochester, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Cronin passed through waivers unclaimed after being designated for assignment by the Nationals on Monday. The 26-year-old left-hander battled back problems in 2023 and struggled to a 5.02 ERA and 13:14 K:BB in 14.1 innings with Triple-A Rochester. He underwent surgery in August to repair a herniated disc.