MLB Player News

Madrigal (hamstring) will head into the offseason without any restrictions, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Madrigal suffered a right hamstring strain in mid-September and was shifted to the 60-day injured list late in the season. He appears to be healed up now, though, or at least will be by the time he begins his offseason workout routine. Madrigal made 68 starts -- 61 at third base -- for the Cubs this season, collecting a .663 OPS with two homers. He'll have a shot to compete for playing time again in 2024, although the team is surely hoping to have a better option for the hot corner.

Hughes (knee) is expected to have a normal throwing progression this offseason, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Hughes was limited to just 17 appearances this season due to a knee issue that eventually required surgery, but he'll go into the offseason without any restrictions. Adbert Alzolay looks like the early favorite to open 2024 as the Cubs' closer, but Hughes should be used in high-leverage spots if he can stay healthy and return to his 2022 form.

Boxberger (forearm) is expected to resume throwing in mid-November, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Boxberger made only five relief appearances with the Cubs in the second half of the 2023 campaign because of forearm troubles, but he should be able to enjoy a relatively normal offseason. The veteran right-hander carries a $5 million mutual option (or $800,000 buyout) for 2024.

Fulmer underwent UCL revision surgery Thursday on his right elbow and is expected to miss the 2024 season, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

This procedure comes with brutal timing for the 30-year-old reliever, who is set to become a free agent in November. He inked a one-year, $4 million contract with the Cubs prior to the 2023 season and went on to post a 4.42 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 65:28 K:BB across 57 innings before finishing the year on the injured list because of a forearm strain.

Heuer (elbow) is slated to begin a throwing program in mid-November, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Heuer had surgery to repair a fractured right elbow in late June and has completed the initial healing and range of motion phase of his recovery. The next step will be throwing, which will begin in about a month. There is no timetable for Heuer's return, but he would seem to have a good shot to be ready for Opening Day in 2024 if he can progress without setbacks.

The Reds re-signed Maile to a one-year contract Thursday with a club option for 2025.

Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports that the guaranteed value of the deal is $3.5 million. Maile owns an underwhelming .212/.275/.328 career batting line in 380 major-league games, but the 32-year-old catcher has a solid defensive reputation and will return as an active backup to Tyler Stephenson, who often gets starts in the DH role.

The Rockies sent Kauffmann outright to Triple-A Albuquerque on Wednesday.

After clearing outright assignment waivers, Kauffmann will officially remain in the Rockies' farm system without the benefit of a 40-man roster spot. Kauffmann struggled mightily in the majors this season to the tune of an 8.23 ERA across 35 innings. The 26-year-old righty will likely need to show significant improvement with Albuquerque before he gets another opportunity in the big leagues.

Koch went unclaimed off waivers Wednesday and was sent outright to Triple-A Albuquerque.

Koch split time between Colorado and Albuquerque in 2023, turning in better numbers at the major-league level with a 5.12 ERA and 1.29 WHIP across 38.2 innings. Koch will have the right to elect free agency during the offseason, and he figures to at least draw a minor-league deal for 2024 if he choses to leave the Rockies.

Blach went unclaimed off waivers Wednesday and was sent outright to Triple-A Albuquerque.

Blach posted a 5.54 ERA and 1.64 WHIP through 74 innings in 2023, and he'll have the opportunity to elect free agency in the offseason. The 32-year-old southpaw holds a 5.66 ERA since 2022, though playing his home games at Coors Field may have contributed to his inflated numbers over the past two seasons.

Fraley underwent surgery on his left fourth toe Oct. 11, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Fraley played through a stress fracture in his toe during the final month of the season, waiting until the offseason to surgically repair it. The Reds expect Fraley to make a full recovery before the start of spring training.