MLB Player News

Abbott is scheduled to make his first Cactus League start Monday in a split-squad game versus the Mariners, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Though his performance faded over the second half of the season, Abbott still submitted a promising rookie campaign in 2023, compiling a 3.87 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 120:44 K:BB over 109.1 innings. While Cincinnati beefed up its starting depth in the offseason with the additions of Frankie Montas and Nick Martinez -- in addition to the expected return of Nick Lodolo (tibia) from injury -- Abbott's spot in the Reds' Opening Day rotation still seems to be fairly secure.

Bubic (elbow) said he felt good following a 15-pitch bullpen session Tuesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Bubic threw all fastballs in the session, his first since undergoing Tommy John surgery last April. He experienced no soreness a day after the session and will get back on the mound again Friday. The 26-year-old is expected to gradually increase the intensity and length of his bullpen sessions over a nine-week period before facing hitters. Assuming he hits no unexpected snags in his throwing program, Bubic could be ready to return from the injured list at some point around the middle of the summer.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Thursday that Bradish (elbow) has been bouncing back well after playing catch, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Working his way back from a partial UCL tear in his right elbow, Bradish played catch from 60 feet late last week before expanding to 90 feet Tuesday. It's baby steps for now, but Hyde said the right-hander is "progressing nicely." It's not clear when Bradish might be cleared for mound work, but the Orioles will proceed cautiously.

Butto will be among those competing for the final spot in the Mets' rotation following the injury to Kodai Senga (shoulder), Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

He'll be going up against Tylor Megill, Joey Lucchesi and Max Kranick for the gig. Butto, who turns 26 next month, held a 3.64 ERA and 38:23 K:BB over 42 frames covering seven starts and two relief appearances for the Mets in 2023. He posted a 5.93 ERA in 19 starts during his time at Triple-A Buffalo.

Lucchesi will be in the mix for the fifth spot in the Mets' rotation following the injury to Kodai Senga (shoulder), Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Lucchesi fared well in nine starts for the Mets last season in securing a 2.89 ERA, although that came with a 1.31 WHIP and 32:17 K:BB across 46.2 frames. Tylor Megill is likely Lucchesi's chief competition for the gig, with Jose Butto and Max Kranick also in the mix.

Megill will be among the competitors for the fifth spot in the Mets' rotation following the injury to Kodai Senga (shoulder), Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Jose Quintana, Sean Manaea, Luis Severino and Adrian Houser appear locked into the first four spots, leaving Megill, Joey Lucchesi, Jose Butto and Max Kranick to fight for the final one. Megill offers arguably the best upside of the bunch, but he struggled in 2023, collecting a 4.70 ERA and 105:58 K:BB over 126.1 innings.

Keller agreed to a five-year contract extension with the Pirates on Thursday, Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel of ESPN.com report.

Keller avoided arbitration for 2024 with a one-year, $5.44 million contract last month, but the new deal cancels out that agreement and will take effect beginning this season, per Alex Stumpf of MLB.com. The deal is worth $77 million in total and will buy out what would have been the first two years of Keller's free agency. Keller, who turns 28 in April, is coming off a 2023 campaign in which he won 13 games while posting a 4.21 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 210:55 K:BB across 194.1 innings covering 32 starts.

Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said Thursday that Senga has been diagnosed with a moderate posterior capsule strain in his right shoulder, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Senga will begin the season on the injured list and will be shut down from throwing "until symptoms subside and strength returns," per Stearns. A more specific timetable won't be known for a while, but the absence does figure to be a fairly lengthy one. The Mets will need to dip into their rotation depth while Senga is on the shelf, with Adrian Houser, Tylor Megill, Jose Butto and Max Kranick all in the mix to see starts.

France (shoulder) threw off a mound Wednesday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The right-hander reported to camp with some inflammation in his shoulder and was initially limited to throwing on flat ground. He has since progressed to mound work, and France said Thursday that all went well. While it may be a while before we see him in Grapefruit League games, France has a realistic shot to be ready for Opening Day, barring a setback.

Ryu signed an eight-year, $12.4 million contract Wednesday with the Hanwha Eagles of the Korea Baseball Organization, Jee-ho Yoo of the Yonhap News Agency reports.

Ryu will turn 37 years old in March, and after signing a long-term deal overseas, his time in the majors is almost assuredly over. Assuming Ryu's deal doesn't contain an early out clause that would allow him to explore opportunities in North America, he'll finish his MLB career with a 3.27 ERA and 1.18 WHIP across 11 seasons spent with the Dodgers and Blue Jays.