MLB Player News

Berrios agreed Tuesday with the Blue Jays on a seven-year, $131 million extension, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Toronto only had a year and a half of team control over Berrios when it acquired him at the deadline from the Twins this past season, but both sides evidently liked what they saw enough to commit to each other for a long time. Berrios may not stick around for the full seven years, as Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports that he'll be able to opt out after five seasons, but the Blue Jays can count on him remaining near the top of their rotation for an extended period. The righty is still just 27 years old and is coming off a season in which he produced a career-low 3.52 ERA, a number which was backed by career bests in strikeout rate (26.1 percent), walk rate (5.8 percent) and groundball rate (42.8 percent).

Syndergaard signed a one-year, $21 million contract with the Angels on Tuesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Syndergaard turned down the Mets' one-year, $18.4 million qualifying offer and will wind up making slightly more than that on the opposite coast. The 29-year-old comes with tons of upside thanks to his 3.32 career ERA, but he's missed almost two full seasons due to Tommy John surgery, returning late last season to throw just a pair of innings. Additionally, his latest full season back in 2019 was the worst of his career, as his 4.28 ERA that year was more than a run worse than what he'd produced in any of his four previous campaigns, so it's not entirely clear what the Angels can count on from him in 2022.

Rodriguez agreed Monday with the Tigers on a five-year, $77 million contract, Cody Stavenhagen and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic report.

One day after declining his $18.4 million qualifying offer from the Red Sox, Rodriguez was able to come to terms with the Tigers on a lucrative long-term deal. According to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, Rodriguez's contract includes an opt out after the second year plus an additional $3 million in incentives, while Rosnthal adds that the deal also includes a no-trade clause. Though Rodriguez submitted an unremarkable 4.74 ERA and 1.39 WHIP in 2021 after sitting out the 2020 season while recovering from a myocarditis as the result of contracting COVID-19, the 28-year-old's underlying statistics were much more encouraging. He posted a career-best 24.0 K-BB% and a career-low 0.71 HR/9, offering hope for improvement in his surface numbers while pitching at a more forgiving home park in Detroit and against less formidable competition in the AL Central.

Watkins signed a minor-league contract with the Orioles on Thursday, Melanie Newman of MASNSports.com reports.

Watkins was granted free agency Monday after he was outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk, but he'll return to the organization ahead of the 2022 campaign. The right-hander will serve as a non-roster invitee this spring after he posted an 8.07 ERA and 1.70 WHIP in 54.2 innings across 16 appearances (10 starts) with the Orioles last year.

Watkins was outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk on Friday, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

Watkins made his big-league debut at age-28 this season but failed to impress. In 10 starts and six relief appearances, he struggled to a 8.07 ERA, with his 13.7 percent strikeout rate and 33.5 percent groundball rate standing out as the primary culprits.

Garcia (0-2) allowed three runs on two hits and a walk while striking out three in 2.2 innings to take the loss in Game 6 of the World Series against Atlanta on Tuesday.

Garcia was charged with losses in each of his two World Series starts this year, and the Astros failed to provide him with any run support as Atlanta clinched a championship in Game 6. Across his five postseason starts, the righty generated an 8.04 ERA and 1.60 WHIP in 15.2 innings.

Greinke threw four scoreless innings in Saturday's World Series Game 4 loss against Atlanta, striking out three while allowing four hits and no walks.

Greinke wasn't fully stretched out after suffering a neck injury late in the year, but the 38-year-old gave the Astros all he had for four strong innings. He was never in any trouble, as Atlanta couldn't even get a runner to second base in his four frames, but he was pulled prior to the fifth inning having thrown just 58 pitches. While the veteran did his job, his teammates did not, as the Houston bullpen wound up blowing the game, leading to a 3-2 loss.

Garcia picked up the loss in Game 3 of the World Series in Atlanta on Friday, lasting just 3.2 innings while giving up one run on three hits and four walks while striking out six.

Garcia's strikeout total was strong, and his one run allowed wasn't bad, but he'd allowed far too many batters to be trusted to remain in the game any longer. He hasn't been particularly good this postseason, save for a big Game 6 win in the ALCS, as his short start Friday actually represents the second-longest of his four playoff outings this year.

Greinke is expected to start Game 4 of the World Series in Atlanta on Saturday, Marly Rivera of ESPN.com reports.

Greinke has been a starter for the vast majority of his 18-year career, but he suffered a neck injury in late September and closed the year in the bullpen. He's made two appearances in the postseason, one of which was technically a start, but those outings lasted a combined 2.1 innings. It's unlikely he'll be able to pitch particularly deep in Game 4, as the last time he reached even three innings in an appearance came back on Sept. 19.

Taillon underwent ankle surgery Thursday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Taillon sustained a right ankle tendon injury in early September and now faces a recovery timetable of approximately five months. If his rehab goes smoothly, the right-hander has a chance to be ready for Opening Day in 2022.