MLB Player News

Flaherty signed a one-year, $14 million deal with the Tigers on Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Flaherty will look to rebuild his value in the market after a couple down seasons, during which he struggled with injury and his control. Over the last two years, he's posted a 4.84 ERA and 1.59 WHIP in 180.1 innings. However, if he can return to his early-career form, Flaherty would be a key peice of a promising Tigers rotation that also includes Tarik Skubal and fellow offseason addition Kenta Maeda.

Mahle (elbow) signed a two-year, $22 million contract with the Rangers on Thursday, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Mahle underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow this past May and is likely to miss the entire first half of the 2024 season, but he'll be an intriguing rotation option for the reigning World Series champions once he returns to full health. The 29-year-old right-hander has posted a 3.90 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 424 strikeouts over his last 374 innings dating back to the beginning of the 2020 campaign. This deal with Texas will pay him $5.5 million in 2024 and $16.5 million in 2025, and he can also earn another $5 million via performance-based bonuses.

Lugo finalized an agreement with Kansas City on Tuesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com of MLB.com reports.

It's a three-year, $45 million contract, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post, with the third year of the deal coming in the form of a $15 million player option. Lugo was connected to a wide range of teams this winter -- including the Mets, Red Sox, Diamondbacks, Reds, Tigers and Atlanta -- but he has opted to join the Royals and should immediately jump to the top of their rotation depth chart. The 34-year-old right-hander worked as a full-time starter with the Padres in 2023 and registered a sharp 3.57 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 140:36 K:BB across 146.1 innings. He had a 3.56 ERA and 124:37 K:BB in 111.1 innings of relief with the Mets between 2021-22.

Lively signed a one-year, $750,000 contract with the Guardians on Tuesday.

The 31-year-old right-hander receives a major-league deal from Cleveland after collecting a 5.38 ERA and 79:25 K:BB over 88.2 innings with the Reds in 2023. Currently, there wouldn't appear to be room for Lively in the Guardians' rotation. However, it's possible a spot could open up if the club winds up trading Shane Bieber or someone else. More likely, perhaps, is that Lively operates as a long reliever or swingman.

The Red Sox acquired Slaten from the Mets on Wednesday in exchange for Ryan Ammons and cash considerations.

New York just plucked Slaten away from the Rangers in the Rule 5 Draft, but the 26-year-old right-hander is once again on the move. He registered a 2.87 ERA and 86:20 K:BB in 59.2 innings between Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock in 2023.

Drohan was selected by the White Sox in the Rule 5 Draft on Wednesday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Drohan is a lefty with a plus changeup who contributed a 5.05 ERA and 129:72 K:BB over 123 innings between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester in 2023. The White Sox figure to keep him stretched out as a starter in spring training but could wind up stashing him in long relief if he makes the roster.

Sauer was selected by the Royals in the Rule 5 Draft on Wednesday, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Sauer, 24, posted a 3.42 ERA and 83:29 K:BB over 68.1 innings at Double-A Somerset in 2023. The right-hander pitched in relief in the Arizona Fall League and it's not clear whether the Royals plan to use him as a starter or reliever.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said Tuesday that Springs (elbow) has resumed throwing in the Tampa area, Steve Carney of StPeteNine.com reports.

Springs carried a lot of buzz last spring after working to a 2.46 ERA and 144:31 K:BB over 135.1 innings in 2022, but he blew out his elbow in his third start of the 2023 regular season and underwent Tommy John surgery in late April. The 31-year-old left-hander probably won't return to a major-league mound until late June or early July of 2024.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Tuesday that Cortes (shoulder) recently began a throwing program and is doing well, Brendan Kuty of The Athletic reports.

Cortes was limited to only 12 starts this season due to a left shoulder issue, making his last appearance in mid-August. An extended period of rest has evidently done him some good, and he hopes to head into spring training without any physical limitations.

The Athletics could use Miller as a closer in 2024, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

General manager David Forst mentioned using Miller out of the bullpen to start the 2024 campaign citing the flamethrower's prior health issues. The right-hander dealt with a UCL sprain in his elbow last season, which forced him to miss the majority of the year. Forst stated that the club would like to see Miller get through an entire season before thinking about building him back up as a starter, per Gallegos.