MLB Player News

Lively signed a one-year, $2.25 million deal with the Guardians to avoid arbitration Friday, Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Lively was an effective member of the Guardians' rotation in 2024, maintaining a 3.81 ERA with a 118:49 K:BB across 151 innings. He battled some inconsistency due to his contact-heavy approach, but he is a strong candidate to begin the season in the rotation.

Dunning signed a one-year, $2.66 million contract with the Rangers on Friday to avoid arbitration, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Dunning's 2025 salary represents a $670,000 pay cut from 2024, though he'll have opportunities to earn more money through incentives. It's not too surprising to see the 29-year-old righty receive a lower base salary after putting up a career-worst 5.31 ERA and 1.44 WHIP over 95 innings.

McKenzie agreed to terms on a one-year, $1.95 million contract with the Guardians on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

McKenzie spent the first half of 2024 with the Guardians, posting a 5.11 ERA and 1.56 WHIP across 75.2 innings (16 starts). He continued to struggle to the tune of a 5.23 ERA after being demoted to Triple-A Columbus in June. Despite his poor performance, the 27-year-old righty will receive a $350,000 raise in 2025, but he should remain off fantasy managers' radar until he's able to regain command over his pitches.

Skubal was named the 2024 American League Cy Young Award winner Wednesday.

After turning in a 2.39 ERA and 0.92 WHIP over 192 innings alongside a 228:35 K:BB, Skubal was heavily favored to win the award, and indeed he received all 30 first-place votes. The left-hander is now the fifth pitcher in Tigers history to take home a Cy Young Award -- a list that includes Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer.

The Guardians selected Nikhazy to their 40-man roster Tuesday.

Nikhazy's addition to Cleveland's 40-man will prevent him from being selected during the Rule 5 Draft in December. The 25-year-old southpaw split time between Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus last season, posting a 2.98 ERA and 1.09 WHIP across 123.2 total innings. If he's able to find similar success to start the new season, Nikhazy could be called up for his MLB debut at some point in 2025.

The Tigers selected Owens from Double-A Erie on Tuesday.

Owens started the year with Double-A Frisco for the Rangers, but he was traded to the Tigers in July. He resumed play with Double-A Erie, where he notched a 3.31 ERA in 16.1 innings of work. The 23-year-old is now protected from the Rule 5 Draft.

The Rangers selected Santos to their 40-man roster Tuesday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Santos started the 2024 season in High-A Hickory, but he advanced to Double-A Frisco after putting up a 2.80 ERA in 12 starts. Santos put together a 5-3 record, 4.89 ERA and 1.15 WHIP across 10 starts at Frisco while generating a 57:14 K:BB across 46 innings. The 22-year old is now protected from the Rule 5 Draft.

The Royals selected Cameron from Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday.

Cameron made nine starts for Triple-A Omaha after beginning the year in Double-A Northwest Arkansas. He posted a 2.32 ERA and 1.02 WHIP across 54.1 innings in Omaha, tallying three wins. The 25-year-old is now shielded from the Rule 5 Draft in December.

The Red Sox selected Dobbins' contract from Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Dobbins made 25 starts between Double-A Portland and Worcester in 2024, finishing with a 3.08 ERA and 120:48 K:BB over 125.2 innings. The 25-year-old is now on the 40-man roster and shielded from the Rule 5 Draft.

The Twins selected Raya's contract from Triple-A St. Paul on Tuesday, Kiley McDaniel of ESPN.com reports.

Raya made 24 starts at Double-A Wichita and one at St. Paul this past season, finishing with a 4.05 ERA and 103:44 K:BB over 97.2 innings. The 22-year-old is now part of the 40-man roster and is likely to return to St. Paul to begin 2025.