MLB Player News

Woodford signed a minor-league contract with the White Sox on Wednesday and received an invitation to major-league spring training, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Woodford turned in solid campaigns in 2021 and 2022, but his ERA shot up to 6.23 through 47.2 innings last season, and he was non-tendered by St. Louis as a result. If Woodford is able to return to form during spring training, the White Sox's weak bullpen presents an opportunity for the 27-year-old righty to see plenty of innings this year.

White Sox general manager Chris Getz said Tuesday that the club plans to use Flexen as a full-time starting pitcher in 2024, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Flexen -- who inked a one-year, $1.75 million contract last month -- has split his time between starting and relieving over the last two seasons, but the White Sox plan to give him a full starter's workload in 2024. The right-hander posted a rough 6.86 ERA and 74:38 K:BB through 102.1 innings in 2023 between the Mariners and Rockies, including a 7.18 ERA in 16 starts. However, Flexen generated a 3.66 ERA from 2021-22 with Seattle while being used mostly as a starter, and the White Sox will be hoping he returns to that form.

The Mariners acquired DeSclafani (elbow), Mitch Haniger (back) and cash considerations from the Giants on Friday in exchange for Robbie Ray (elbow), Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

DeSclafani was limited to just 99.2 innings in 2023 due to a flexor strain after throwing just 19 frames in 2022 because of an ankle injury. He did not require surgery and the hope is that he will be ready for Opening Day in 2024, but it's far from a guarantee. The 33-year-old will make $12 million in 2024 in his final year under contract and should provide experienced depth for a young Seattle rotation.

Flexen signed a one-year, $1.75 million contract with the White Sox on Friday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

After recording a 3.66 ERA and 1.29 WHIP in his first two seasons with the Mariners, Flexen's numbers skyrocketed up to a 6.86 ERA and 1.67 WHIP last year through 102.1 total innings between Seattle and Colorado. Chicago's rotation projects to rank near the bottom of the AL again this year, so Flexen should have a fairly clear path to securing a starting job in 2024.

Giolito signed a two-year, $38.5 million contract with the Red Sox on Friday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Giolito bounced around between the White Sox, Angels and Guardians last season, logging a 4.88 ERA and 1.31 WHIP across 184.1 total innings. The 29-year-old righty is capable of racking up strikeouts at an impressive rate -- he's surpassed 200 punchouts twice in the last three seasons. However, Giolito's ERA approached 5.00 in both 2022 and 2023, which makes him a risky fantasy option heading into next year.

Carrillo signed a minor-league contract with the Rangers on Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training.

Carrillo got into two games at Double-A Harrisburg in the Nationals organization in 2023 but spent most of his season in the Mexican League. The 25-year-old was part of the Nationals' return from the Dodgers in the Trea Turner/Max Scherzer trade but has yet to advance past the Double-A level.

Bubic (elbow) signed a one-year, $2.35 million contract with the Royals on Tuesday, avoiding arbitration.

Bubic made only three starts for Kansas City last season before undergoing Tommy John surgery in late April, but he'll get a $150,000 raise entering the 2024 campaign, his second year of arbitration eligibility. The left-hander should be able to return to a major-league mound sometime near the All-Star break.

Scherzer will be sidelined until June or July after undergoing surgery Thursday to repair a herniated disc in his back, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

Scherzer was limited to 152.2 innings during the regular season and just 9.2 frames in the postseason in 2023 while dealing with a shoulder/back problem. He and the Rangers attempted several conservative treatments earlier this offseason, but the pain persisted so the decision to have surgery was made. As a 39-year-old who will miss at least a couple months following a back operation, Scherzer's fantasy outlook for 2024 is dicey.

Wacha signed a two-year, $32 million contract with the Royals on Friday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

The deal includes an opt out after the first year. Kansas City has been busy lately, adding Seth Lugo and now Wacha to its rotation in addition to Hunter Renfroe to its outfield and Will Smith to its bullpen. Wacha hasn't made 30 starts in a season since 2017, but he's been very effective when healthy over the last two seasons, collecting a 3.27 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 228:74 K:BB over 261.2 innings.

Mize is considered fully recovered from elbow and back surgeries and will enter spring training at 100 percent, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

We last saw Mize in game action in April of 2022, as he underwent both Tommy John surgery and back surgery in the summer of that year. The right-hander has proclaimed himself "ready to go" now, though, and will attempt to show the Tigers in spring training that he should break camp as a member of their rotation. Considering Mize didn't throw an inning in 2023 and just 10.2 frames in 2022, his workload figures to be monitored closely in 2024. It's possible the Tigers could choose to ease him back into things with some starts in the minors at the beginning of next season.