MLB Player News

Kikuchi will have his innings limited in his first year with the Mariners, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

This isn't all too surprising, as Kikuchi will be adjusting to a new schedule where he'll pitch more frequently -- he started every six or seven days in Japan. The Mariners still want Kikuchi to make 30-plus starts in 2019, but every fifth start will be an abbreviated outing for the 27-year-old southpaw. Kikuchi went 14-4 with a 3.08 ERA, 8.4 K/9 and 2.5 BB/9 in Japan in 2018.

The contract Kikuchi agreed to with the Mariners on Monday will pay him $43 million over the first three years of the deal and includes a $13 million player option for 2022 that can be voided with a four-year, $66 million extension, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

In summation, Kikuchi's deal guarantees him at least $56 million over four years and could be worth up to $109 million over seven years, giving the Mariners the ability to control the 27-year-old through the 2025 season. Seattle has yet to confirm the signing of the prized Japanese lefty, but the move is expected to be made official later in the week. Along with the money owed to Kikuchi in the contract, the Mariners will have to pay a yet-to-be-determined posting fee to the Seibu Lions of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball League. The huge financial commitment likely ensures that Kikuchi will be included right away in a Seattle rotation that tentatively features Marco Gonzales, Wade LeBlanc, Mike Leake and Felix Hernandez.

Kikuchi agreed to a contract Monday with the Mariners, Jon Heyman of FancredSports.com reports. Per Jon Morosi of MLB Network, Kikuchi will receive a guaranteed four-year deal.

Following a successful stint in Japan with the Seibu Lions of the Nippon Professional Baseball league, Kikuchi was widely regarded as the top international arm on the market this offseason. He'll project as a mid-rotation arm at the MLB level, with his reliance on an above-average slider and a low-to-mid-90s fastball prompting some talent evaluators to compare him to Patrick Corbin. The financial terms of the 27-year-old's deal aren't yet fully known, but Seattle will have to pay a posting fee to the Lions in addition to covering the four years of his contract.

Meyer (shoulder) inked a minor-league contract with Los Angeles on Sunday, Brandon Warne of ZoneCoverage.com reports.

Meyer was released by the Angels at the end of November, but his free agency didn't last long, as he latched on once again with Los Angeles. The health of his shoulder remains in question, but if he does manage to get healthy for the 2019 campaign, he should start the year at Triple-A Salt Lake.

Valdez could challenge for a spot in the 2019 starting rotation, Andrew Simon of MLB.com reports.

The Astros will have at least one opening in the rotation, and possibly two depending on how manager A.J. Hinch wants to deploy Brad Peacock. Valdez had an impressive introduction to MLB in 2018, posting a 2.19 ERA in 37 innings, featuring a high-spin curve. Opponents went just 4-for-41 (.098) with 20 strikeouts off the hook while putting 17 of their 21 batted balls on the ground. The potential issue for Valdez is command, evidenced in his 4.69 FIP. The left-hander walked 24 batters (5.8 BB/9) but managed to avoid damage due to the free passes.

Farrell was designated for assignment by the Angels on Friday.

Farrell was sent off the club's 40-man roster in order to make room for the recently acquired Matt Harvey. This marks the second time in the past few months that Farrell has been designated for assignment, the first coming in early September by the Cubs. During 20 games with Chicago last year, he logged a 5.17 ERA and 39 strikeouts in 31.1 innings.

Bridwell was claimed off waivers by the Angels on Friday, Jeff Fletcher of the Southern California News Group reports.

Bridwell returns to the Angels' organization after being designated for assignment by the Yankees earlier this week. The 27-year-old spent the past two years with Los Angeles, pitching in 26 big-league games, though he was hampered by injuries throughout the 2018 season. He will come into spring training fully operational and could contend for a starting spot in the Angels' rotation.

Bridwell was designated for assignment by the Yankees on Monday, Lindsey Adler of The Athletic reports.

Bridwell's tenure on the Yankees' 40-man roster was short-lived, as he'd only been claimed off waivers in late November. He'll make way on the roster for J.A. Happ, whose contract was finalized Monday.

Assistant general manager Michael Fishman said Montgomery (elbow) is expected to return to the mound next season, Brendan Kuty of NJ.com reports.

Montgomery underwent Tommy John surgery in early June, and the typical 12-to-14 month timetable has casted doubt as to whether the left-hander will be fully recovered prior to the end of the 2019 campaign. This is obviously a good sign but everything should be taken with a grain of salt at this point in time. Montgomery still has a lengthy rehab in front of him, so continue to expect updates on his status heading into spring training.

Lynn signed a three-year, $30 million contract with the Rangers on Wednesday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Lynn should immediately slot in near the top of Texas' lackluster starting rotation. The 31-year-old struggled in 2018 after latching on with the Twins, posting a 5.10 ERA and 1.53 WHIP across 20 starts (102.1 innings) before being traded to the Yankees. He showed improvement after arriving in New York -- 4.14 ERA and 61:14 K:BB across 54.1 innings -- and will look to build off his strong finish to the season in 2019.