MLB Player News

Montgomery's agent Scott Boras told Bob Nightengale of USA Today on Monday that the left-hander is open to signing a short-term contract similar to Matt Chapman and Cody Bellinger.

Per Nightengale, Montgomery opened free agency looking for a long-term deal north of $170 million, but it appears he has softened on the idea of a short-term contract with Boras informing teams as much. A short-term deal with the same structure as Chapman and Bellinger would allow Montgomery to bet on himself for one season and re-enter the open market for 2025. He helped the Rangers to a World Series title in 2023 after posting a 3-1 record over six playoff games with a 2.90 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 17:6 K:BB across 31 innings.

Snell's agent Scott Boras revealed Monday that the two-time Cy Young winner is open to signing with a team on a short-term contract, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Nightengale notes that Snell was seeking a long-term deal in excess of $250 million at the beginning of free agency, though it appears the reigning NL Cy Young winner has shifted from that stance. Boras also represents Cody Bellinger and Matt Chapman, both of whom elected to sign short-term deals with options to opt out at the end of the 2024 season. Snell seems open to going that route as he looks to stick on a roster with Opening Day approaching. The 28-year-old left-hander registered a 14-9 record over 32 starts with a 2.25 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 234:99 K:BB over 180 innings.

Winans was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett by Atlanta on Monday.

Atlanta is now left with 53 players in camp after making a handful of cuts. Winans held a 5.29 ERA but a 34:8 K:BB over 32.1 innings covering six starts in the majors last season and figures to wind up spending some time with the big club in 2024.

Dodd was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett by Atlanta on Monday.

Dodd is a good bet to make some starts with the big club this season, but as things stand right now there's no room for him. The left-hander held a 7.60 ERA over seven starts with Atlanta last season.

Anderson (elbow) was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett by Atlanta on Monday.

Anderson will be sidelined until around midseason while working his way back from Tommy John surgery. Unfortunately for him, he was injured while in the minors, which means he can be optioned rather than placed on the 60-day injured list and earn a major-league paycheck.

Medina left Monday's Cactus League game against the Reds due to a right knee sprain, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Medina allowed one run on no hits and one walk over 1.1 innings while striking out three before leaving the game. The status for his next start is up in the air while the team monitors how he recovers over the next few days. The right-hander entered spring training gunning for a spot in the Athletics' rotation. Medina had a 3-10 record over 17 starts with a 5.42 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 106:57 K:BB over 109.2 innings in 2023, his first season in the majors.

Houser gave up three runs on four hits and a walk over 1.2 innings in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros. He struck out two.

The 31-year-old right-hander worked up to 43 pitches (29 strikes) but gave up a lot of loud contact to a Houston lineup that featured only a couple regulars, including two doubles by Jake Meyers and a Jon Singleton two-bagger that nearly left the yard. Houser would need to have a disastrous spring to lose his spot in the Mets' rotation after signing a one-year, $5 million deal with the team in January, but his 4.42 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 6.9 K/9 over the last two seasons with the Brewers give him little fantasy appeal outside.

Megill has emerged as the favorite to win the Mets' No. 5 starter job, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

The 28-year-old right-hander added a splitter to his arsenal over the winter, and so far the results have been encouraging, as Megill has allowed one run over his first five Grapefruit League innings with a 7:0 K:BB. A pitch that can generate more whiffs could be crucial for his fortunes -- after posting a strikeout rate north of 25 percent in the majors in 2021 and 2022, Megill saw that number drop to 18.5 percent last year. The Mets have a hole to fill in their Opening Day rotation due to Kodai Senga's shoulder strain, and while Jose Butto and Joey Lucchesi still have a chance to make their case for the No. 5 job to start the season due to Senga's expected absence, it appears to be Megill's to lose.

Wacha has allowed one run on three hits and struck out three without walking a batter over three innings across his first two Cactus League starts.

Wacha's doing just fine in spring training. The veteran right-hander will need to stay healthy to be an effective starter, but he's logged 20-plus starts in each of the last three seasons while keeping his ERA under 3.50 in the last two years. The Royals' pitching staff was a weakness in 2023, and signing Wacha to a two-year deal addressed that concern. He'll likely continue to offer solid control and an ability to keep the ball in the yard, but he may regress in the surface stats in his age-32 season.

Suarez tossed two scoreless frames Monday versus the Rangers in his Cactus League debut after overcoming a dead arm phase, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Suarez has been behind other starters in Angels' camp while battling through dead arm issues, but it looks like he's over the hump. The left-hander currently appears on the outside looking in for a spot in the Halos' rotation, but he's out of options, so he could settle into a long relief role initially.