MLB Player News

The Reds and Young avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.16 million contract Thursday, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

Young was eligible for salary arbitration for the first time. The left-hander had a nice showing in 2023 in a full-time relief role in Cincinnati, posting a 3.86 ERA and 50:20 K:BB across 53.2 frames.

Hernandez signed a minor-league contract with the Dodgers on Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Hernandez was limited to just 9.1 innings in the minors in 2023 due to a pectoral injury, but it appears he's recovered from that issue. The 28-year-old right-hander holds a 5.04 ERA and 277:94 K:BB over 287.2 innings covering parts of five seasons at the major-league level. Hernandez seems likely to begin 2024 in Triple-A Oklahoma City's rotation.

The Brewers and Milner avoided arbitration Wednesday by agreeing to a one-year, $2.05 million contract, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Milner had been eligible for arbitration for the second time. The left-handed reliever is coming off his best season in the big leagues, having collected a 1.82 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 59:13 K:BB over 64.1 innings. Milner should be the primary left-handed setup man ahead of closer Devin Williams in 2024.

The Pirates and Brubaker (elbow) avoided arbitration Wednesday by agreeing to a one-year, $2.275 million contract, Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Brubaker will receive the same salary that he got in 2023 after missing the entire season following Tommy John surgery. The goal is for Brubaker to make it back sometime around the All-Star break. He holds a career 3.99 ERA and 324:109 K:BB over 315.2 innings over parts of three seasons at the major-league level.

The Rockies and Quantrill avoided arbitration Wednesday by agreeing to a one-year, $6.55 million contract, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Colorado acquired Quantrill from Cleveland back in November and it has now locked him into a contract for the 2024 campaign. The right-hander posted a disappointing 5.24 ERA and 58:35 K:BB over 99.2 innings in 2023 but held a career 3.54 ERA heading into the season. Quantrill will open 2024 in the Rockies' rotation but won't be a desirable fantasy option.

Alcantara signed a minor-league contract with the Pirates on Dec. 9.

Alcantara, 27, posted a .776 OPS over 98 games between the Cubs' and Diamondbacks' Triple-A affiliates. He's slashed just .209/.281/.406 with 12 homers in 192 games across parts of three seasons at the major-league level.

Stratton signed a minor-league contract with the Pirates on Dec. 8.

Stratton was non-tendered by the Pirates back in November but wound up re-signing. The 27-year-old threw 12 relief innings for Pittsburgh in 2023, posting a 2.25 ERA and 10:3 K:BB.

McLain said he's "full-go" and has gotten up to 100 swings at this point during the offseason, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

McLain's 2023 season ended prematurely due to an oblique injury in late August. The middle infielder said he's working on adjustments that he plans to continue during spring training. Specifically, McLain wants to be better at making contact on fastballs up in the zone. "Some of those four-seam guys who really ride the ball, I feel like if I can really take care of that fastball at the top of the zone, I can hit them at all the other places around the zone," McLain said. He started 52 games at shortstop and 33 at second base and has been working at both positions in preparation for spring training.

Herrera will compete with Tucker Barnhart for the backup catcher job during spring training, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Arizona signed Barnhart last week and extended an invitation to big league camp. The prospect of Herrera opening a third consecutive season as the top backup seemed likely, but there now appears to be a competition on tap. Neither player has done much with a bat in hand, so it may come down to which one offers better defense and game-calling. The 32-year-old Barnhart has the edge in experience.

The Dodgers envision Taylor filling a utility role in 2024 after the team signed Teoscar Hernandez to a one-year, $23.5 million contract Sunday, Jim Bowden of The Athletic reports.

Hernandez is expected to slot into a near-everyday role in left field, while the Dodgers are likely to deploy Jason Heyward and Manuel Margot as platoon partners in right field. Though his pathway to regular action in the corner outfield appears to be closed, Taylor will still be an option at either spot when any of those three players receive a day off. Additionally, Taylor is capable of covering center field, second base, third base and shortstop, giving him multiple avenues to picking up at-bats if the Dodgers lose one of their everyday infielders or outfielders to injury. When the Dodgers are at full strength, the righty-hitting Taylor could still have a good chance at cracking the lineup versus left-handed pitching at the expense of either James Outman or Gavin Lux (knee).