MLB Player News

Houck is "always open" to discussing a contract extension with the Red Sox, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Houck is eligible for salary arbitration for the first time this offseason and is under team control through 2027, so it's not clear how much of a priority he is for the team to lock up on a long-term deal. The 28-year-old is coming off a terrific 2024 campaign, having collected a 3.12 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 154:48 K:BB over 178.2 frames covering 30 starts.

Morton plans to continue his baseball career in 2025, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

The 41-year-old has not yet confirmed it himself, but recent reports had suggested Morton was likely to keep pitching next season rather than retire. Morton's strikeout rate fell to 23.8 percent in 2024, which was the lowest it's been since 2015. He still misses bats at an above-average rate, however, and has made 30-plus starts in each of the last six non-COVID seasons. Morton shouldn't have trouble netting a sizable one-year contract, likely from a contender.

The Athletics acquired Johnson from Atlanta on Monday in exchange for Nick Allen.

Johnson spent the entire 2024 regular season with High-A Rome. Across 38 outings he registered a 2.60 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, eight saves and a 61:27 K:BB across 52 innings. The 23-year-old right-hander will look to work his way up through the Athletics' organization.

Ryan has made good progress in his recovery from a shoulder injury that ended his season in early August, Twins president of baseball operations Derek Falvey told MLB.com. "Reports on him have been nothing but positive, kind of exactly what we expect for this to recover," Falvey said. "So that's good news."

Ryan suffered a Grade 2 teres major strain during a start Aug. 9 and missed the rest of the regular season. While no details were given about Ryan's progress, it sounds like he'll be ready for the start of spring training. He'll return to work at the top of the Minnesota rotation after going 7-7 with a 3.60 ERA and 9.8 K/9 in 23 starts last season.

Glasnow said in an interview on Foul Territory TV in late October that he had imaging on his right elbow recently and "it looks like it's fully healed."

Glasnow also mentioned that he planned to throw twice per week throughout the offseason rather than taking an extended break as he has done in the past, with the goal being to "try to get my tissue used to that workload." The righty's final appearance for the Dodgers this season came on Aug. 11, and imaging after a setback in September showed a sprain. While the early offseason prognosis appears positive, Glasnow still has a long ways to go to prove he can handle a regular workload -- last season's 134 innings were a career high.

Horton will undergo an exam on his right shoulder in mid-November in hopes of gaining clearance to begin a throwing program, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Horton missed the final four months of the 2024 season due to a moderate subscapularis strain in his pitching shoulder. If he's able to begin throwing this month, the 23-year-old should have a relatively normal offseason. Horton got off to a great start at Double-A Tennessee (1.10 ERA) this season but posted a 7.50 ERA in five starts with Triple-A Iowa before getting injured. He is likely to return to Iowa to begin 2025 but, if healthy, has a good shot to enter the Cubs' rotation at some point during the season.

Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said Tuesday that the team is undecided on what role Whitlock (elbow) will fill in 2025, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Breslow added that he does plan to define Whitlock's role eventually, but factoring into the decision will be what happens with other potential pitching additions the club makes this offseason. Whitlock underwent an internal brace procedure in May and is likely to get a late start to 2025 regardless of the role he fills, although the rehab would take longer if the Red Sox elect to stretch him out to be in the rotation.

Hendricks agreed to a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Angels on Wednesday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com first reported that a deal was close and Sherman has provided the financial details. Hendricks -- who turns 35 next month -- didn't have an ideal walk year with a 5.92 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 87:43 K:BB over 130.2 innings with the Cubs. The Angels will pay a modest sum in hopes that the right-hander can bounce back in 2025.

The Angels and Hendricks are closing in on a one-year contract, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

There's no word yet on the financial details of the agreement. The Angels will be hoping for a bounce-back season from Hendricks, who collected a 5.92 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 87:43 K:BB over 130.2 innings with the Cubs in 2024. The veteran right-hander will turn 35 in December.

Atlanta president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos said Tuesday it's unlikely Strider (elbow) will be ready for Opening Day, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

The revelation isn't altogether surprising, as Anthopoulos indicated last month that while Opening Day was possible for Strider, the pitcher's season debut might not come until early June. Any timeline at this point is approximate, with more clarity likely to come by spring training. Strider is working his way back from an internal brace procedure he underwent in mid-April.