MLB Player News

Neris declined his $8.5 million player option for 2024 on Saturday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Neris will receive a $1 million buyout and enter the free agent market after enjoying the best statistical season of his career (1.71 ERA, 1.05 WHIP) with the Astros. Neris will turn 35 in June, so a long-term deal isn't likely, but he should have little trouble finding a place to pitch in 2024.

The Cubs declined their part of a $5 million mutual option with Boxberger (forearm) on Friday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Boxberger will get an $800,000 buyout as he moves into free agency. The veteran reliever logged only 5.1 major-league innings in the second half of the 2023 season due to nagging forearm issues, but he compiled a 3.15 ERA over 141 appearances with Milwaukee the prior two years and could be a bounce-back candidate for a team seeking bullpen help.

Loup (shoulder) had his $7.5 million team option declined by the Angels on Friday.

Loup will officially enter free agency after logging the worst statistical season of his 12-year career with a 6.10 ERA and 1.75 WHIP through 48.2 innings. Despite his poor performance in 2023, the 35-year-old southpaw may still draw interest in the offseason from teams in search of bullpen depth.

Hendriks (elbow) had his $15 million team option for 2024 declined by the White Sox on Friday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

The White Sox still owe $15 million to Hendriks, and they have opted to pay him annual installments of $1.5 million through 2033. The 34-year-old reliever missed the early stages of the season while recovering from treatment for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and he is set to miss the vast majority of the 2024 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in August. Despite his unavailability for the coming campaign, Hendriks could still attract a two-year deal in free agency.

The Mets exercised Raley's $6.5 million option for 2024 on Friday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

The alternative would've been to pay him a $1.25 million buyout, but retaining the southpaw was an easy call on the team's part. Raley had a fine 2023 campaign, posting a 2.80 ERA and 61:25 K:BB over 54.2 innings. He's slated for setup duties in 2024 as Edwin Diaz makes his return from knee surgery.

Perdomo (elbow) was placed on waivers Thursday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Perdomo appeared in 30 games out of the Pirates' bullpen in 2023 and was effective in the role. He maintained a 3.72 ERA and a more impressive 33:11 K:BB across 29 innings. As a result he may be claimed off waivers, but if not, he can elect free agency.

Kennedy retired following the World Series on Wednesday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Kennedy ended the season on the injured list with a shoulder injury, and he opted to retire immediately after winning his first World Series with the Rangers. He pitched in 17 seasons at the big-league level and had strong runs of success as a starter as a member of the Diamondbacks, Padres and Royals before shifting to the bullpen later in his career.

De Los Santos (undisclosed) was placed on waivers Thursday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

De Los Santos appeared in 22 games for the Pirates last season and maintained a 4.14 ERA across 24.1innings. He had just an 18:13 K:BB, so his results were fortunate. If he goes unclaimed on waivers, he'll have the chance to opt for free agency.

Cisnero elected free agency Thursday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Cisnero had an untimely poor season, as he turned in a 5.31 ERA and 1.48 WHIP across 59.1 innings for the Tigers in 2023. He had turned in more successful campaigns earlier in his career, so he should find a new opportunity around the league.

The Cubs sent Burdi outright to Triple-A Iowa on Thursday, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

Burdi was selected from Triple-A in May, but he only made three appearances with the Cubs before appendicitis and a nerve issue in his right elbow put an early end to his season. Burdi holds a career 9.39 ERA through 15.1 innings and will likely need to prove he can remain healthy and effective before getting another shot in the majors.