MLB Player News

Suarez is the Padres' projected closer even after the team's addition of Yuki Matsui, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

Matsui was recently inked to a five-year, $28 million contract and is expected to handle high-leverage innings, but Lin still views Suarez as the club's likely closer. Suarez -- who signed a five-year, $46 million deal last offseason to remain with the Padres -- was limited to just 26 appearances in 2023 while battling elbow issues, posting a 4.23 ERA and 24:10 K:BB across 27.2 innings. The 32-year-old ended the season healthy, though, and his 97.7 mph average four-seamer velocity was right in line with what he showed during his stellar 2022 campaign. Whether new manager Mike Shildt plans to name a closer isn't clear, but it would appear Suarez could have the early leg up.

The Padres' preference is to keep Tatis in right field next season rather than moving him to center field, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

San Diego hasn't ruled out shifting Tatis to center, depending on how or if it is able to address the position this offseason. The Padres would like to keep him in right, though, and that's also Tatis' preference, per Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune. Tatis was the National League's Platinum Glove winner in right field in 2023, and, given the dimensions in right at Petco Park, it's arguably as important or even more so of a position than center field in the Padres' case.

Machado (elbow) might not be ready to play defense Opening Day, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

Machado underwent surgery in early October to repair the extensor tendon in his right elbow. It's an injury he dealt with for much of the 2023 campaign and one which kept him from playing the field in September. The designated hitter duty for Machado could potentially carry over into 2024, with Ha-Seong Kim sliding over to third base.

Mauricio is slated to undergo surgery to repair a torn right ACL shortly after New Year's Day, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Mauricio suffered the injury Dec. 10 while playing winter ball in the Dominican Republic. The Mets have not revealed a potential timetable for the young infielder's return to action, but it seems likely that he'll be out until sometime after the All-Star break. With Mauricio sidelined, Brett Baty is the favorite to see the lion's share of starts at third base for the Mets.

Marte (groin) is expected to see some game action in the Dominican Winter League soon, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

While no firm plan for Marte's first winter ball game has been established, he's been practicing with Leones del Escogido and it sounds like playing in games is imminent. Marte's last regular-season game with the Mets came on Aug. 5, as he was ultimately shut down with a nagging right groin injury. He didn't require surgery and is now considered healthy, but the 35-year-old wanted to knock off some rust in winter ball. The Mets are hoping for a bounce-back campaign from Marte in 2024, but he'll head into the season as a major health risk.

Atlanta general manager Alex Anthopoulos said Saturday that Elder will compete with Reynaldo Lopez and AJ Smith-Shawver for the fifth spot in the rotation, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

While he should probably be considered the favorite to land the fifth starter job, Elder no longer appears guaranteed a rotation spot following Atlanta's acquisition of Chris Sale. The 24-year-old collected a 2.97 ERA in 18 first-half starts in 2023 but stumbled to a 5.11 ERA in 13 outings after the All-Star break. A 49.9 percent groundball rate helps, but Elder's 17.5 percent strikeout rate leaves a lot to be desired.

The Red Sox traded Sale and cash considerations to Atlanta on Saturday in exchange for Vaughn Grissom, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Boston will send $17 million to Atlanta in order to cover some of the $27.5 million Sale is owed this season, per Alex Speier of The Boston Globe. Sale put up a 4.30 ERA and 1.13 WHIP over 102.2 frames last season with Boston and missed two months with a shoulder injury, but he finished the year strong, allowing eight earned runs over 25 innings across five starts in September.

Montas signed a one-year, $16 million contract with the Reds on Saturday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Montas missed nearly all of last season after undergoing arthroscopic surgery in February, but he was able to make it back in time for one appearance at the end of the year. The 30-year-old righty will provide depth to a Reds rotation that ranked near the bottom of the majors in 2023, but it remains to be seen how effective Montas will be post-surgery. Montas posted a 4.05 ERA and 1.25 WHIP through 144.1 innings in 2022.

Thompson was designated for assignment by the Reds on Thursday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Thompson was claimed off waivers by the Reds in October and will now go through the waiver process again as the club frees up a 40-man roster spot for the re-signing of Buck Farmer. The 25-year-old has elite speed but has slashed just .242/.286/.305 in 241 career major-league plate appearances.

Farmer signed a one-year, $2.25 million contract with the Reds on Thursday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Farmer has provided the Reds with some solid middle relief work over the past two seasons, posting a 4.06 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 124:54 K:BB over 122 innings, collecting five saves along the way. Slated to turn 33 in February, Farmer will be counted on as a bridge to closer Alexis Diaz again in 2024.