MLB Player News

Bowman elected to become a free agent Monday.

Bowman had been removed from the Yankees' 40-man roster and will exercise his right to free agency rather than accept an outright assignment. The sinkerballer allowed four runs across four innings for the Yanks this season, which was his first action in the big league since 2019.

Cronin (back) was designated for assignment by the Nationals on Monday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

The Nationals did some 40-man roster housecleaning Monday and Cronin has lost his spot. Cronin, who has never appeared in the majors, underwent back surgery in August and it's unclear when he might be ready to pitch again.

Ottavino declined his $6.75 million player option for 2024 on Monday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Previous reports had indicated that Ottavino was expected to exercise the option to remain with the Mets, but he's ultimately decided against the move. It's worth noting that $4 million of the $6.75 million salary he would have been due in 2024 would have been deferred, which could have weighed into his decision. Ottavino will now be on the lookout for a new deal after posting a 3.21 ERA and 62:29 K:BB over 61.2 innings in 2023.

Manaea exercised the opt-out clause in his contract Monday and will become a free agent, Danny Emerman of KNBR 680 San Francisco reports.

Manaea would have been due a $12.5 million salary for 2024, but the left-hander has decided to look for a bigger deal on the open market. The 31-year-old had an up-and-down 2023 season, holding a 4.44 ERA and 128:42 K:BB over 117.2 innings covering 10 starts and 27 relief appearances. Manaea showcased more velocity this past season than in 2022 and posted a 2.87 ERA from August onward, so he should be able to find a multi-year deal somewhere.

The Blue Jays exercised Green's two-year, $21 million option Monday, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

Green returned from June 2022 Tommy John surgery in September and posted a 5.25 ERA and 16:4 K:BB over 12 innings over the final month of the season. As long as he stays healthy and regains his pre-surgery velocity and command, Green could prove to be a value for the Blue Jays at an $10.5 million annual average salary for the next two seasons. In his last full MLB season in 2021, Green submitted a 3.12 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 99:17 K:BB in 83.2 innings for the Yankees. Heading into the 2024 campaign, Green should line for setup duties in front of closer Jordan Romano.

The Dodgers exercised Treinen's (shoulder) team option for 2024 on Sunday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Treinen was forced to miss the 2023 campaign after undergoing shoulder surgery in November of 2022, but he'll remain with the club for the 2024 season following Sunday's move. His rehab assignment was paused in early September after he experienced soreness in his shoulder, and it's unclear whether he'll be back to full health in time for spring training next year.

The Dodgers declined Hudson's (knee) $6.5 million club option for 2024 on Sunday.

Hudson missed the second half of the 2023 campaign due to a sprained MCL in his right knee. However, he aimed to return to the Dodgers' bullpen if they advanced to the NLCS, so it seems as though he's at least close to full health as he prepares for free agency.

Atlanta declined their half of Hand's $7 million mutual option for 2024 on Sunday.

Hand posted a 7.50 ERA in 20 appearances after being acquired from Colorado at the trade deadline, so paying the $500,000 buyout was a no-brainer for Atlanta. The 33-year-old lefty also had a 4.54 ERA over 35.2 innings for the Rockies, with his combined 5.53 ERA being the worst of his MLB career.

The Dodgers declined Kelly's $9.5 million club option for 2024 on Sunday, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

Kelly was acquired from the White Sox at the trade deadline but appeared in just 11 games for the Dodgers, though he pitched well with a 1.74 ERA and 19:6 K:BB over 10.1 innings. The decision comes with a $1 million buyout, and Los Angeles apparently believes it can better utilize that $8.5 million difference. Kelly's numbers with Chicago prior to the trade were less impressive, leading to a 4.12 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in 42 appearances overall.

The Diamondbacks declined their half of Melancon's (shoulder) $5 million mutual option for 2024 on Sunday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Arizona unsurprisingly elected to pay the $2 million buyout after Melancon missed the entire 2023 campaign with a shoulder strain. The veteran right-hander recorded 18 saves in 2022 but was inconsistent with a 4.66 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 35:21 K:BB over 56 innings, likely limiting his options in free agency as he enters his age-39 campaign.