MLB Player News

The Dodgers and May (elbow, throat) avoided arbitration Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $2.135 million contract, the Associated Press reports.

May -- who had been arbitration-eligible for the final time -- missed the entire 2024 season while recovering from UCL and flexor surgery and later had another operation to repair an esophageal tear. The 27-year-old made a total of just 20 starts from 2021-23 due to injury. May should be healthy for the start of spring training, but it's not clear when he might be ready to make starts for the Dodgers given how much time he's missed.

Nunez is progressing well in his recovery from a right flexor strain and could pitch for the Tigres del Licey in the Dominican Winter League, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Nunez was shelved for much of the second half with the injury, but he has responded well to some rest and a platelet-rich plasma injection. If healthy, Nunez is in line for high-leverage work out of the Mets' bullpen in 2025 after he put up a 2.31 ERA and 48:8 K:BB over 35 innings in 2024.

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.

Sale said Wednesday that he is fully recovered from the back spasms that kept him off Atlanta's roster for the National League Wild Card Series, Lindsay Crosby of AthlonSports.com reports.

Sale made his last appearance of the season Sept. 19 because of the injury, but he had progressed enough that he was scheduled to start Game 3 of the NLDS, had Atlanta advanced. The left-hander is expected to have a normal offseason. Sale was named the 2024 National League Cy Young Award winner Wednesday after posting a 2.38 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 225:39 K:BB over 177.2 innings for Atlanta in 2024.

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.

Sale was named the 2024 National League Cy Young Award winner Wednesday.

Sale finished in the top three for Cy Young Award voting twice (2014, 2017) during his 13 seasons in the American League. Now, after posting a 2.38 ERA and 1.01 WHIP alongside a 225:39 K:BB over 177.2 innings, the 35-year-old southpaw has finally taken home the trophy in his first season since shifting to the National League. He received 26 out of a possible 30 first-place votes.

Hart is seeking a major-league contract this offseason following a successful season in the Korea Baseball Organization, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Hart, who turns 32 on Saturday, posted a 15.55 ERA in four appearances with the Red Sox in 2020 before bouncing around in the upper minors the next three seasons. He appeared to find something with the NC Dinos in 2024 in the KBO, holding a 2.69 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 182:38 K:BB over 157 innings covering 26 starts. The lefty is technically still under contract with the Dinos until Dec. 1 and they plan to make an effort to re-sign him, but Hart wants to explore interest from major-league clubs. Erick Fedde parlayed a successful one-year stint with the Dinos into a $15 million contract last offseason and then pitched well in 2024 in his return to the majors. Hart hopes to follow the same roadmap.

The Giants selected Ragsdale to the 40-man roster Tuesday.

Ragsdale appeared in 27 games between Double-A Richmond and Triple-A Sacramento in 2024, producing a 5.03 ERA and 1.62 WHIP with 57 strikeouts over 53.2 innings in 13 appearances, including 12 starts. The right-hander will likely open the 2025 campaign with Sacramento in an attempt to refine his skills before a potential major-league debut during the season.

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.

Elbis was selected to the Diamondbacks' 40-man roster Tuesday, Jesse Friedman of GoPHNX.com reports.

Elbis started 24 games between High-A Hillsboro and Double-A Amarillo in 2024, producing a 4.57 ERA with 37 strikeouts over 45.1 innings in eight outings at the latter affiliate. The right-hander will now be protected from the upcoming Rule 5 Draft and he will look to prove himself with Arizona during spring training.