MLB Player News

Scherzer agreed to a one year, $15.5 million contract with the Blue Jays on Thursday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

The Blue Jays will be Scherzer's seventh team in the majors as he looks to pitch in his 18th season. The 40-year-old is coming off of a nine-start season with the Rangers during which he dealt with back and arm injuries, but hopes of a healthy offseason will propel him into 2025. If the right-hander can stay healthy, he should be a key piece at the top of Toronto's rotation alongside Kevin Gausman.

The Athletics designated Maldonado for assignment Thursday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Elvis Alvarado, who was claimed off waivers Thursday. Maldonado was a waiver claim himself earlier this offseason and will now go through that process again. He held a 5.68 ERA and 11:7 K:BB over 19 innings with the Marlins in 2024.

The Rays signed Hernandez to a minor-league contract Thursday that includes an invitation to spring training, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Hernandez, 28, posted a 5.40 ERA and 39:28 K:BB over 43.1 innings between the Rangers and Mariners last season. He will compete for a bullpen job this spring but is likely ticketed for Triple-A Durham.

The Athletics claimed Alvarado off waivers from the Pirates on Thursday, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Alvarado was designated for assignment by the Pirates earlier this week and will now join a new 40-man roster. The 25-year-old has not appeared in a major-league game, most recently posting a 2.79 ERA and 71:38 K:BB over 48.1 innings at Triple-A Jacksonville in the Marlins organization in 2024.

The Mariners signed Feliz to a minor-league contract Thursday that includes an invitation to spring training.

Feliz, 36, has spent the last three seasons pitching in the Mexican League and has not seen any action at the big-league level since 2021. The Mariners will give the former All-Star closer a look in spring training to see what he has left in the tank.

The Mariners re-signed Hahn to a minor-league contract Nov. 18 that includes an invitation to spring training.

Hahn ended the 2024 season at Triple-A Tacoma after signing with the Mariners in September, and he's returned as a non-roster invitee. The 35-year-old hasn't appeared in the majors since 2021 and is likely headed back to Tacoma as relief depth.

The Mariners signed Dunn to a minor-league contract Oct. 15 that includes an invitation to spring training.

Dunn hit .311/.386/.437 with more walks than strikeouts over the last two seasons at Triple-A Memphis in the Cardinals organization but has yet to appear in a major-league game. The 28-year-old infielder is likely headed to Triple-A Tacoma to begin 2025.

Moore could be the Angels' Opening Day second baseman, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Blum notes that the Angels were ready to promote Moore last September before the 22-year-old suffered a left knee injury. Moore returned to action at Double-A Rocket City before the end of their season, so he entered the offseason healthy. The No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 First-Year Player Draft, Moore slashed .347/.400/.584 with six home runs across 25 contests for High-A Inland Empire and Rocket City in his pro debut. The Angels are always aggressive with their top prospects and have a potential opening at the keystone, so it's not terribly surprising to hear Moore could break camp with the big club if he has a good showing in spring training.

Avila cleared waivers Wednesday and was sent outright to Triple-A Columbus.

Avila was DFA'd last Wednesday to clear a roster spot for new signee Paul Sewald, and the former will officially remain in the organization after passing through waivers unclaimed. Avila turned in a 3.25 ERA and 1.31 WHIP over 74.2 regular-season innings after joining the Guardians in April, and he could be one of the first names considered for a promotion if/when Cleveland needs to call up a reliever from the minors.

Estevez agreed to a two-year, $20.2 million contract with the Royals on Wednesday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

The deal also reportedly features a $13 million club option for 2027 with a $2 million buyout. Estevez is coming off the best year of his career, finishing 2024 with a 2.45 ERA and 0.91 WHIP through 55 regular-season innings while converting 26 saves between the Angels and Phillies. Now in Kansas City, the 32-year-old righty is likely to take over as the Royals' primary closer, which would push Lucas Erceg into a setup role.