MLB Player News

Oakland outrighted Neal to Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday.

Neal passed through waivers unclaimed after being designated for assignment. He will remain part of the organization for now but can elect to become a free agent. The 34-year-old right-hander struggled to a 6.67 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 25:14 K:BB over 27 innings of work this season with the Athletics.

Oakland outrighted Pruitt (forearm) to Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday.

Pruitt posted a solid 2.98 ERA and 30:12 K:BB through 48.1 innings this season for the Athletics before finishing the year on the injured list following a late-August diagnosis of a right forearm strain. The 34-year-old can now elect to become a free agent and seems likely to do so.

Kimbrel allowed one hit in a scoreless inning to record a save in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Marlins in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series.

Kimbrel gave up a double to Josh Bell to put a run in scoring position, but he managed to close the door on the Marlins' hopes of coming back in Game 1. Kimbrel blew two of four save opportunities in September, despite an impressive 1.50 ERA in that stretch. However, the veteran right-hander is now a perfect 8-for-8 in save chances in the postseason over his career while posting a 3.96 ERA and 1.32 WHIP with 27 strikeouts across 25 innings.

Duran closed out the save in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Blue Jays in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series, allowing one walk in a scoreless inning. He struck out two.

The young right-hander led the team with 27 saves in 59 regular-season games and the Twins unsurprisingly turned to him again in the ninth inning to close out Tuesday's win. Duran was making his first career appearance as a closer in the postseason. Also foreseeable were his two strikeouts, as Duran carried a 12.1 K/9 across 62.1 innings during the season.

Mariot elected to become a free agent Tuesday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Mariot spent most of 2023 in Triple-A Louisville, where he posted a 6.49 ERA and 1.59 WHIP through 51.1 innings. However, after making just one appearance in the majors -- his first since 2016 -- the 34-year-old reliever will now look for a better opportunity elsewhere.

Bachman recently underwent cleanup surgery on his right shoulder, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

The belief is that he will be ready for the beginning of spring training in February. Bachman, 24, posted an encouraging 3.18 ERA with 14 strikeouts over his first 17 major-league innings this season for the Angels before being shut down in mid-July due to nagging shoulder issues.

Nelson is not on the Diamondbacks' roster for their NL Wild Card Series matchup versus the Brewers.

Bryce Jarvis is essentially being carried instead as the Diamondbacks roll with 12 pitchers and 14 position players. Nelson surrendered 10 runs -- nine earned -- over his final 6.2 innings to close out the 2023 regular season.

Weathers is on the Marlins' roster for their NL Wild Card Series matchup against the Phillies.

Weathers finished the regular season on a high note Sunday at Pittsburgh, scattering two hits and three walks over six scoreless innings in what was his longest start since May. The 23-year-old left-hander figures to operate in long relief in the best-of-three series versus Philadelphia.

Hoeing has been left off the Marlins' roster for their NL Wild Card Series matchup against Philadelphia.

Hoeing was a valuable swingman at times this season in Miami, but he surrendered 19 runs -- 18 earned -- over his final 13.2 innings. Johnny Cueto has also been excluded from the roster for this best-of-three series, with the Marlins opting to carry Ryan Weathers instead.

Busenitz struck out two over two perfect innings out of the bullpen in Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Cardinals after the Reds selected his contract from Triple-A Louisville prior to the contest.

The Reds optioned Carson Spiers to the minors to open up a spot on 28-man active roster for Busenitz ahead of the season finale. Busenitz thus closes the season with a spot on the Reds' 40-man roster, though he may find himself on the chopping block once Cincinnati reinstates players from the 60-day injured list over the offseason. The 33-year-old right-hander made six relief appearances at the big-league level in 2023, posting a 2.57 ERA and 1.29 WHIP across seven innings.