MLB Player News

Hamels (shoulder) signed a minor-league contract with the Padres on Thursday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Presumably, he's getting an invitation to spring training as part of a deal which would be worth $2 million if he's in the majors, per Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune. The San Diego native made one start in 2020 and none the last two seasons, but he isn't ready to hang it up yet at 39 years of age. Hamels had shoulder surgery back in November of 2021 but reportedly looked good in an audition for teams in January. Obviously, he's a long shot to be a significant contributor at this point, but on a minor-league deal there's little downside from the Padres' perspective.

DeSclafani (ankle) said Wednesday he is 100 percent healthy and expects to have a bounce-back campaign in 2023, Evan Webeck of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Ankle surgery ultimately cut DeSclafani's 2022 campaign short after five starts and 19 innings, during which he posted a 6.63 ERA and 2.00 WHIP. The right-hander underwent surgery in July, and while his status is worth monitoring in camp, he should be in the mix for a rotation spot once the season begins. Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports it's possible the Giants could use six starters at times this season, which would make it easier for DeSclafani and other pitchers to get up to speed early in the campaign.

Burnes will make $10.01 million in 2023 after losing his arbitration hearing against the Brewers on Wednesday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Burnes had asked for a $10.75 million salary in what was his second year of arbitration eligibility. The pitcher said afterward that "there's no denying the relationship (with the Brewers) is definitely hurt" as a result of what was said during the hearing. While Burnes also pointed out that "we're professionals and we're gonna go out there and do our job," this certainly can't help the Brewers' chances of signing him to a contract extension at some point.

Anderson underwent a biometric evaluation this offseason that helped him adjust his mechanics on the mound, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

The 24-year-old struggled last season for one of the few times in his professional career, posting a 5.00 ERA over 111.2 big-league innings before a demotion to Triple-A Gwinnett in August, but Anderson used the offseason to make some adjustments to his delivery and approach. "One of the things I kind of told myself was, I don't want to get back to that guy, I want to be better than that guy," Anderson said Wednesday. "I think I can be. That's kind of been the driving force this offseason." As part of the process of becoming a better pitcher, he cleaned up his delivery and worked on maintaining his focus on the mound. Anderson will compete in camp with Mike Soroka, Bryce Elder and Kolby Allard for the final spot in Atlanta's Opening Day rotation.

Henry is expected to compete for the No. 5 starter job this spring, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

The top four spots in Arizona's rotation are set, but the final one is up for grabs with Henry joining a group whose leading candidates are Ryne Nelson and Drey Jameson. The left-handed Henry made nine starts over the final two months of 2022 with mixed results. He posted a 5.36 ERA and 1.45 WHIP while giving up 10 home runs over 47 innings (1.9 HR/9). Prospect Brandon Pfaadt is also in the mix, but a roster spot could hinge on a player being on the 40-man roster, which favors Henry.

Buehler (elbow) was placed on the 60-day injured list by the Dodgers on Thursday.

Buehler is likely to miss the entire 2023 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery on his right elbow last August. He should be 100 percent recovered come the beginning of spring training in 2024, but a more precise recovery timeline should come into focus as he goes through his rehab program.

Nelson (shoulder) is in the mix for the No. 5 starter job, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Nelson was shut down at the end of the 2022 with a right scapula injury, but at the time, the Diamondbacks did not expect the injury to impact him going forward. The right-hander had a nice three-start run in September before the injury ended his season, posting a 1.47 ERA and 0.82 WHIP over 18.1 innings. His primary competition figures to come from Drey Jameson and Tommy Henry with top pitching prospect Brandon Pfaadt having an outside shot.

Wacha's one-year, $7.5 million contract with the Padres contains a two-year club option for 2024-25 and a three-year player option for 2024-26.

If the Padres decline their two-year, $32 million club option after the 2023 season, then Wacha has the ability to exercise a three-year, $18.5 million player option. There's also a $500,000 incentive for both 20 and 25 games started and a $1 million incentive for games started in 2023 and all player option years. All told, the deal guarantees Wacha at least $26 million and could be worth up to $41.5 million.

Williams is expected to begin the season in the Nationals' rotation, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

The veteran right-hander signed with Washington in the hopes of returning to full-time starting duty after making 21 of his 30 appearances last year for the Mets out of the bullpen, and with Stephen Strasburg experiencing a setback in his recovery from thoracic outlet surgery, Williams should be locked into a rotation spot to begin the campaign. Whether the 30-year-old is best suited for the rotation is another question, however -- his FIP was nearly two runs higher in 2022 as a starter rather than as a reliever (5.00 vs 3.03), and he lost more than seven points off his strikeout rate (18.2 percent vs. 25.8 percent).

Senzatela (knee) is expected to make his return to the Rockies' rotation sometime in May, Danielle Allentuck of the Denver Gazette reports.

Senzatela's season was cut short in 2022 after he tore his left ACL in August. Once he fully recovers, the 28-year-old righty figures to reclaim a spot in the back end of Colorado's rotation. Senzatela held a 5.07 ERA and 1.69 WHIP through 92.1 innings last year before suffering the injury.