MLB Player News

Eflin agreed to a one-year deal with the Phillies on Wednesday, avoiding arbitration.

This was a forgone conclusion, as Eflin is firmly entrenched in the Phillies' rotation heading into 2021. He posted a 3.97 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 70 strikeouts in 59 innings last season -- numbers supported by a 3.39 FIP and 3.23 xFIP.

Rea agreed to a one-year deal with the Cubs on Wednesday, avoiding arbitration, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Chicago needs rotation depth, as three of its starters from last season are hitting the open market this winter, and Rea could compete for a spot in spring training. The 30-year-old righty has a career 4.79 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 116 strikeouts in 148.1 career innings, working primarily as a starter.

Matz signed a one-year, $5.2 million contract with the Mets on Wednesday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

The 29-year-old lefty had a 10.17 ERA in 25.2 innings as a starter and a 7.20 ERA in five innings out of the bullpen, but he should return to the rotation in 2021. He logged a 4.21 ERA in 160.1 innings in 2019 and a 3.97 ERA in 154 innings in 2018.

Urena (forearm) was designated for assignment Monday, Craig Mish of SportsGrid.com reports.

He was the team's longest tenured player, and Mish reports the Marlins were originally going to non-tender Urena on Wednesday. Instead, they cast him off the 40-man roster to make room for the newly acquired Adam Cimber. Urena fractured his forearm in late September and is questionable for the start of spring training.

Morton agreed Tuesday with the Braves on a one-year, $15 million contract, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

As the 37-year-old prepares for what could be his final season in the big leagues, he'll return to the organization that originally drafted him back in 2002. While Morton never found success at the MLB level during his time in Atlanta, he's quietly emerged as one of baseball's more reliable starters over the back nine of his career, submitting sub-4.00 ERAs and sub-1.20 WHIPs in three of the past four seasons. While missing time with a shoulder injury in the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign, Morton finished with a 4.74 ERA and 1.39 WHIP across 38 innings, but the underlying peripherals (18.8 K-BB%, 0.9 HR/9, 3.89 xERA) were generally encouraging. After having his $15 million club option declined by the Rays earlier this offseason, Morton will end up taking home the same payday while he moves on to Atlanta.

Martinez (oblique) was not arrested Monday for violating social-distancing protocols in the Dominican Republic, contrary to previous reports, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Initial reports indicating that Martinez would be facing legal trouble for hosting a large gathering in violation of the country's COVID-19 protocols, but both the pitcher's agent and the Cardinals denied those allegations. He does appear to have taken part in the event but is not facing any charges. The incident appears to have disappointed his team, which put out a statement which reads, in part, "Certainly, we would not condone anyone from our organization knowingly violating community laws or health regulations," but he doesn't appear to be facing any long-term consequences.

Martinez (oblique) was taken into custody Monday by National Dominican Police in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic for violating the country's social-distancing protocols, Hector Gomez of Deportivo Z 100 reports.

Martinez returned to his native country for the offseason following an injury-shortened 2020 campaign in which he posted a 9.90 ERA and 2.10 ERA over his five starts. The 29-year-old isn't expected to face any punishment from MLB for his arrest, but he'll presumably still have to resolve the legal issue before he's cleared to return to North America for spring training. The Cardinals haven't decided whether Martinez will continue to work as a starter in 2021 or prepare for a move back to the bullpen.

Williams was designated for assignment Friday.

The 6.18 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 49:21 K:BB Williams logged in 55.1 innings this past season sealed his fate with this new front office. He could get a look in another organization as a back-end starter or he could transition into a reliever.

Gutierrez (suspension) had his contract selected by the Reds on Friday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

The move protects the 25-year-old from being poached by other teams during the upcoming Rule 5 draft. Gutierrez received an 80-game suspension for PEDs in June and had a 6.04 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 117:48 K:BB over 137 innings at Triple-A Louisville in 2019.

Adon had his contract selected by the Nationals on Friday, Brittany Ghiroli of The Athletic reports.

The move protects the 22-year-old from being selected by other teams during the upcoming Rule 5 draft. Adon spent 2020 at the Nats' alternate training site after posting a 3.86 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 90:44 K:BB over 105 innings at Low-A Hagerstown in 2019.