MLB Player News

O'Hearn agreed to a one-year, $1.4 million contract with the Royals on Tuesday, avoiding arbitration.

O'Hearn, 29, has been a below-replacement-level player in the majors in each of the last four seasons, so it's a little surprising that he's sticking around on a big-league pact. Last year he saw time at first base, designated hitter and right field. O'Hearn is a career .219/.293/.390 hitter in 342 games and has been worth -1.4 fWAR over that time.

Young cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Tim Stebbins of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Young appeared in just six games for the Cubs at the tail end of last season, recording five hits and three walks over 22 plate appearances. Most of his time was spent in Triple-A, where he slashed .228/.309/.415 over 455 plate appearances. Whether or not he returns to the Cubs' 40-man roster will likely depend on if he can improve those numbers in 2023.

The Tigers outrighted Lester to Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday.

The 28-year-old received the chance to make his MLB debut late in the 2022 campaign, appearing in two games and going hitless across five plate appearances while sticking on the Tigers' active roster for less than a week. Given Lester's advanced age and lack of a prospect pedigree, it's not especially surprising that he went unclaimed off waivers after he was booted off the Tigers' 40-man roster.

The Rangers declined to pick up Calhoun's $5.5 million club option for 2023 on Tuesday, making him a free agent.

The decision to pass on Calhoun's option isn't much of a surprise. He slashed just .196/.257/.330 over 424 plate appearances in 2022 -- by far the worst line of his career. It's unclear whether retirement is on the mind of the 35-year-old outfielder, but he will likely serve as a depth piece for his new team if he does continue playing.

Casas' knee injury will prevent him from returning to play for Tigres del Licey in the Dominican winter league, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Casas had only played three games for the Tigres before developing knee soreness in mid-October. The Red Sox are reportedly unconcerned about long-term issues but didn't want him risking anything in winter ball. He was down in the Dominican to make up for lost development time after missing nearly two months with a high ankle sprain. Casas is expected to head into 2023 as the Red Sox's primary first baseman or designated hitter without the benefit of those extra at-batas.

Rizzo has opted out of his 2023 contract with the Yankees and has become a free agent, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

Rizzo's contract included a $16 million player option for the 2023 campaign, but he's elected to decline that option and test the waters in free agency. He slashed .224/.338/.480 with 32 homers, 75 RBI, six stolen bases and 77 runs scored through 130 games in 2022 with the Yankees.

Gurriel was diagnosed with a sprained right MCL on Saturday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Gurriel suffered the injury after a collision during a rundown in Game 5 of the World Series and will miss the remainder of the series as a result. The Astros have yet to say anything about his availability for next season, and a 38-year-old soon-to-be free agent coming off a down season isn't guaranteed to continue playing, but it seems as though he'd have time to get back to full health by Opening Day.

Gurriel (knee) was removed from the Astros' World Series roster Saturday, Marly Rivera of ESPN.com reports.

Gurriel collided with Rhys Hoskins during a rundown in Game 5 and was forced to leave with a knee injury. The problem was evidently serious enough to end his season a day or two early. Korey Lee was added to the roster in his absence. He'll give the Astros an extra option behind the plate, allowing Christian Vasquez to serve as the designated hitter while Trey Mancini starts at first base.

Gurriel exited Game 5 of the World Series on Thursday due to right knee discomfort, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Gurriel got caught in a rundown and twisted his knee before exiting the game in the eighth inning. Manager Dusty Baker labeled Gurriel day-to-day, and with a day off between Game 5 and 6, it's possible that he isn't forced to miss any additional time. If Gurriel is unable to suit up, Trey Mancini is likely to enter the lineup and start at first base.

Ellis cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Tacoma on Thursday.

Ellis appeared in one game for Seattle after he was claimed off waivers in mid-June, and he spent the rest of the season at the Triple-A level. The 26-year-old had a .231/.346/.488 slash line with 15 home runs and 39 RBI in 70 games with Tacoma, though it wasn't enough to retain his spot on the 40-man roster.