MLB Player News

Kluber announced his retirement from professional baseball Friday, Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

The final five seasons of Kluber's career were filled with injuries and some lackluster production. However, the 37-year-old's six-year run from 2013-18 is unimpeachable, featuring a 2.96 ERA, 1,364 strikeouts over 1238.2 innings, three All-Star Game appearances and two American League Cy Young awards. Kluber finished with a career 3.44 ERA and 116 wins over 13 major-league seasons.

The Dodgers placed May (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Thursday, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

May began a throwing program in January, but he isn't expected back until the second half of the season after he underwent surgery on his right flexor tendon and UCL in July. His roster spot will be filled by Ryan Brasier, who officially signed a two-year deal with Los Angeles on Thursday.

Kershaw (shoulder) told reporters Thursday that he's targeting "July-ish, August-ish" for a return, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

It's a very rough timetable and it will likely be months before we get a clearer picture as to when Kershaw might be able to make his season debut for the Dodgers. Recovering from surgery to repair the gleno-humeral ligaments and capsule in his left shoulder, Kershaw is two weeks into his throwing program. He will head back to his offseason home soon before rejoining the Dodgers' camp in early March to continue his rehab.

The Tigers announced Wednesday that Jobe received an invitation to major-league spring training.

Fellow top prospects Jace Jung and Ty Madden, among others, will join Jobe in big-league camp. Jobe, 21, was dominant across four minor-league levels in 2023, posting a 2.81 ERA and 84:6 K:BB over 64 innings. The young right-hander has a relatively limited track record in pro ball in part due to injury, but he could push to debut in 2024 if things break right.

Farrell signed a minor-league contract with the Nationals on Tuesday.

The 32-year-old righty spent 2023 at Triple-A Charlotte in the White Sox organization, posting a 5.56 ERA and 52:27 K:BB over 55 frames. Farrell has experience starting and relieving, but 62 of his 69 appearances at the big-league level have been out of the bullpen.

Horton, who climbed through three minor-league levels in 2023, has an outside chance at making his MLB debut this season, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

While Bastian notes that a 2025 MLB debut is probably more likely for Horton, the fact that he's already knocking on the door speaks loudly of his advanced skill set. The 22-year-old finished with a 2.65 ERA and 117 strikeouts across 88.1 innings last season across the three levels. Horton has the stuff to be an impact player as soon as he reaches the majors, and he could force the issue if he continues to dominate in the minors.

Kershaw (shoulder) began a throwing program last week, Andy McCullough of The Athletic reports.

Kershaw is about three months removed from surgery to repair the gleno-humeral ligaments and capsule in his left shoulder. The expectation is that he will not be game-ready until at least sometime in the second half. Kershaw has agreed to a new one-year contract with the Dodgers, a deal which will become official after he takes a physical Thursday.

Kershaw (shoulder) signed a one-year contract with the Dodgers on Tuesday, Andy McCullough of The Athletic reports.

The contract also contains a player option for 2025. Kershaw will take a physical Thursday before the deal is made official. That also happens to be the first day the Dodgers can place players on the 60-day injured list, which would preclude them from having to free up a spot on the 40-man roster. Kershaw had surgery on his left shoulder in November and won't be ready to pitch until at least the second half, with a clearer timetable likely not available for months.

Kershaw (shoulder) re-signing with the Dodgers is considered increasingly likely, Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman of the New York Post report.

Sherman notes that the two sides could be waiting until Thursday to finalize a contract, as that's the first day the Dodgers would be able to place Kershaw on the 60-day injured list, thereby not taking up a spot on the 40-man roster. Kershaw underwent surgery in November to repair the gleno-humeral ligaments and capsule in his left shoulder and is not expected to be game-ready until sometime after the All-Star break. The future Hall of Famer will turn 36 next month.

Arizona general manager Mike Hazen said Mena is "not a finished product" and is expected to start the season at Triple-A Reno, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Hazen said the right-handed Mena's slider and curveball are "really good," adding that the pitcher has a "decent" changeup. "We felt like this was an opportunity for us to add a really young starting pitcher, already been to Triple-A, and we think he has really good stuff," the GM said. What the organization will be looking for when spring training opens is an increase in velocity, as well as a refinement of all offerings and development of pitch sequencing. Mena, who turned 21 in December, made four starts at the Triple-A level while with the White Sox organization in 2023.