MLB Player News

The Pirates selected Cheng to their 40-man roster Tuesday.

Cheng got off to a hot start in the first half of the season with High-A Greensboro, slashing .308/.406/.575 across 253 plate appearances. However, his OPS fell to .656 upon being promoted to Double-A Altoona in late June. A spot on the 40-man roster will prevent Cheng from being taken in next month's Rule 5 Draft, and he will likely return to Altoona to begin 2024.

The Giants added Teng to their 40-man roster Tuesday.

Teng split time between Double-A Richmond and Triple-A Sacramento last season, putting up a 4.42 ERA and 1.36 WHIP through 126.1 combined innings. Teng needs to work on his command before he can be relied on in the majors. but his impressive strikeout numbers warrant protection from the upcoming Rule 5 Draft.

The Cubs selected Hodge to their 40-man roster Tuesday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Hodge struggled in his first year at Double-A, posting a 5.13 ERA and 1.41 WHIP across 80.2 frames, but the Cubs will give him a roster spot to prevent other teams from selecting him in next month's Rule 5 Draft. The 22-year-old right-hander will likely return to Double-A Tennessee to begin 2024.

Hartlieb signed a minor-league contract with the Rockies on Monday.

Hartlieb spent the large majority of the 2023 campaign with the Triple-A affiliate of the Marlins in Jacksonville, where he posted a 3.63 ERA and 46:18 K:BB across 44.2 innings. The 29-year-old righty has logged only nine relief appearances at the major-league level since the beginning of the 2021 season, but he could factor into Colorado's bullpen mix in 2024.

Robles agreed to a one-year contract with the Nationals on Tuesday, avoiding arbitration, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

The Nationals declined a $3.3 million club option to keep Robles for 2024, but the two sides negotiated a smaller contract to keep him on the active roster. Given Washington's lack of quality internal options, Robles may play a decent amount early on in his age-26/27 season despite being worth 0.6 fWAR in 275 games over the past three seasons. Robles should hit at the bottom of the order when he plays. He has stolen at least eight bases in each of the last three campaigns and stole eight in 36 games last year while battling back spasms.

Rainey agreed to a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Nationals on Tuesday, avoiding arbitration, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

The 30-year-old righty missed almost all of 2023 on the road back from Tommy John surgery, but he tossed a scoreless inning against Atlanta on Sept. 30 and averaged 96.3 mph with his fastball. He should work in a setup role for Washington in 2024.

Thomas was designated for assignment by the Cardinals on Tuesday.

Thomas, 25, struggled to a 5.53 ERA, 1.75 WHIP and 69:31 K:BB over 94.1 innings (17 starts, four relief appearances) this past season with Triple-A Memphis. He is no longer part of the 40-man roster in St. Louis.

The Cardinals outrighted Naughton (elbow) to Triple-A Memphis on Tuesday.

Naughton made only four major-league appearances in 2023 before requiring June surgery to repair the flexor tendon in his left elbow. The 27-year-old southpaw is now off the 40-man roster in St. Louis.

The Cardinals selected Robberse to their 40-man roster Tuesday.

Robberse was acquired from the Blue Jays this past July as part of the Jordan Hicks trade and is now protected from being plucked away by another organization in the upcoming Rule 5 Draft. The 22-year-old right-hander posted a 4.28 ERA and 130:57 K:BB in 124 innings this past summer between Double-A and Triple-A.

The Cardinals selected Kloffenstein to their 40-man roster Tuesday.

Kloffenstein earned his way into the 40-man roster mix in St. Louis after pitching to a 3.16 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 140:55 K:BB over 128 innings this past season between the Double-A and Triple-A levels. The 23-year-old right-hander could be a consideration for the major-league rotation at some point in 2024.