MLB Player News

Eflin signed a three-year, $40 million contract with the Rays on Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Eflin declined a $15 million mutual option with the Phillies for the 2023 season to head to free agency. He's now rewarded with a long-term deal in Tampa Bay and will presumably be a significant part of their rotation plans for the length of the contract. Eflin has been limited by injuries the last two seasons, combining to maintain a 4.12 ERA with a 164:31 K:BB across 181.1 innings.

Boyd agreed to a one-year, $10 million contract with the Tigers on Thursday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

The left-hander spent most of 2022 recovering from the flexor tendon surgery he underwent in September of the previous year, but he returned as a reliever for the final month of the campaign in Seattle and had a 1.35 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 13:8 K:BB over 13.1 innings. Boyd will now return to Detroit, where he spent the prior six-plus seasons. He was pitching well in 2021 prior to the injury with a 3.89 ERA across 15 starts, and a return to that form would be a major boost to the Tigers' starting rotation.

Clevinger and the White Sox came to terms on a one-year contract Sunday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

The former Cleveland starter will make his way back to the American League Central after spending the past two and a half seasons on the West Coast after being acquired by the Padres at the 2020 trade deadline. Clevinger missed the entire 2021 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, but he was cleared early in the 2022 campaign and staged a relatively smooth comeback from the procedure. Over 114 innings with the Friars, Clevinger compiled a 4.33 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 91:35 K:BB. Heading into his age-32 season, Clevinger should add some stability to the back end of an otherwise strong rotation that includes 2022 AL Cy Young Award runner-up Dylan Cease, Lance Lynn, Lucas Giolito and Michael Kopech (knee).

Whitlock (hip) is progressing in his rehab program and indicated Monday he is preparing to open the 2023 season as a starter, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

The right-hander started nine games last season but has primarily worked as a reliever since he made his MLB debut in 2021. Whitlock has been effective with a 2.73 ERA across 77 outings, and Boston now plans to move him to the rotation to begin the season. The 26-year-old underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right hip in late September and is expected be ready for spring training as he ramps up his throwing program in December.

Pitching coach Ethan Katz said Thursday that Kopech's (knee) rehab process has been more gradual than expected, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Kopech missed the end of the 2022 season due to a shoulder injury and underwent surgery on his right knee in early October. While he hasn't progressed as quickly as anticipated, the White Sox still expect him to be ready for the start of spring training, and he's expected to be ready to throw 85 pitches over five innings by the time the regular season gets underway.

Macko (undisclosed) was a part of the package that the Mariners traded to the Blue Jays in return for Teoscar Hernandez on Wednesday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Macko will make his way to Toronto after spending the first three years of his career with the Mariners' organization following his selection in the seventh round of the 2019 Draft. The left-hander made eight starts with High-A Everett, compiling a 3.99 ERA and 1.39 WHIP with 60 strikeouts over 38.1 innings. Macko is currently dealing with an undisclosed injury, but when healthy, he'll provide the Blue Jays with another potential long-term option in their rotation.

Cantillo (shoulder) was added to the Guardians' 40-man roster Tuesday.

Cantillo had a 1.93 ERA through 14 outings with Double-A Akron last season but missed the final two months of the campaign with shoulder soreness. The injury won't prevent him from being added to the 40-man roster as Cleveland protects him from the Rule 5 draft.

Bradley was added to the Rays' 40-man roster Tuesday.

Bradley posted a 1.70 ERA over 74.1 innings with Double-A Montgomery to earn a promotion to Triple-A Durham, where he continued to pitch well with a 3.66 ERA. The 21-year-old is one of the Rays' top prospects and could make his major-league debut next year.

Zulueta was added to Toronto's 40-man roster Tuesday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The Blue Jays elected to protect Zulueta from the upcoming Rule 5 draft since he's one of the organization's top pitching prospects. The 24-year-old opened the 2022 campaign at Single-A Dunedin but was able to move his way up to Triple-A Buffalo by the end of the season. Overall he had a 3.72 ERA with 84 strikeouts across 55.2 frames.

Vasquez was added to the Yankees' 40-man roster Tuesday.

Vasquez is one of New York's top pitching prospects and had a 3.90 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 120:41 K:BB across 115.1 innings at Double-A Somerset last season. He's now been protected from being selected by other teams during the upcoming Rule 5 draft.