MLB Player News

Montas is dealing with shoulder inflammation and is expected to miss the first month of the season, Dan Martin and Jon Heyman of the New York Post report.

Montas struggled to a 6.35 ERA in eight starts for the Yankees after being acquired at the deadline last season, and he developed shoulder issues that wound up limiting him to a single one-inning relief appearance in the playoffs. Those shoulder troubles evidently haven't gone away, and he's reportedly 8-to-10 weeks behind in his offseason program as a result. Domingo German and Clarke Schmidt appear to be the top candidates to open the season as the Yankees' fifth starter in Montas' absence.

Montas signed a one-year, $7.5 million deal with the Yankees on Friday to avoid arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Montas was dealt to the Yankees this past season at the trade deadline. Overall, he struggled in his short time with the team, accumulating a 1-3 record, 6.35 ERA and 1.54 WHIP over 39.2 innings. He will look to turn things around in 2023, as he will be a free agent following the season.

Valdez signed a one-year, $6.8 million contract with the Astros on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Coming off the heels of a 2.82 ERA, 1.16 WHIP season, Valdez earned himself a $3.8 million pay raise from last year after playing a big part in the Astros' title run. The 29-year-old southpaw has never been known to rack up strikeouts like other aces, though it's hard to argue with the results he's produced over the past few years.

Mahle (shoulder) signed a one-year, $7.5 million contract with the Twins on Friday to avoid arbitration, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

Upon being traded from Cincinnati to Minnesota at the deadline, shoulder troubles kept Mahle from throwing more than 16.1 frames for the Twins. When he was healthy, he logged a disappointing 4.40 ERA and 1.22 WHIP, but did hold a solid 9.40 K/9. If Mahle can bounce back from his shoulder injury, he figures to be a solid piece of the Twins' 2023 rotation.

Bieber signed a one-year, $10.01 million contract with the Guardians on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Coming off the heels of a 2.88 ERA, 1.04 WHIP season, the 27-year-old ace was in line for a pay increase from his $6 million salary last year. With a 2.91 ERA since 2019, Bieber remains one of the best and most reliable pitchers in all of baseball, and he shows no sign of slowing down heading into 2023.

Chirinos signed a one-year, $1.275 million contract with Tampa Bay on Friday to avoid arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Chirinos only made two appearances for the Rays last season, throwing seven scoreless innings and recording a 1.14 WHIP. While that's certainly a good sign, it's still hard to tell how well he's bounced back from Tommy John surgery in August 2020, so there's a good chance he begins the year in Triple-A until the organization can get a better feel for where he is in the recovery process.

Blackburn (finger) agreed to a one-year, $1.9 million contract with the A's on Friday to avoid arbitration, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Blackburn enjoyed a breakout early in 2022 with a 2.26 ERA through his first 13 starts, but he struggled after he suffered a finger injury in July before being shut down for the season. The 29-year-old should be healthy for the start of spring training and will open 2023 as a key piece in Oakland's rotation.

Quantrill and the Guardians agreed on a one-year, $5.55 million contract Friday to avoid arbitration, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

The right-hander is coming off a strong season in 2022, posting a 3.38 ERA and 1.21 WHIP with 128 punchouts over 186.1 innings in 32 starts with Cleveland. Quantrill seems locked into a mid-rotation role for the Guardians.

Civale agreed to a one-year, $2.6 million contract with the Guardians on Friday to avoid arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Civale had a 4.92 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 98:22 K:BB across 97 innings during 2022, and he missed significant time due to glute, wrist and forearm injuries. He had a 3.86 FIP and could be a rebound candidate if he can stay healthy in 2023.

Urquidy agreed to a one-year, $3.025 million contract with the Astros on Friday to avoid arbitration, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

It's the first year of arbitration eligibility for Urquidy, and he's coming off a 2022 campaign during which he had a 3.94 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 134:38 K:BB over 164.1 innings. The 27-year-old will open 2023 with a firm spot at the back end of Houston's starting rotation following the departure of Justin Verlander in free agency.