MLB Player News

Carpenter (elbow) exercised his $5.5 million player option for 2024 on Friday, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Carpenter slashed .176/.322/.319 across 236 plate appearances with the Padres in 2023 and was unlikely to attract a large offer in the open market, so he'll opt into $5.5 million heading into his age-38 season. Carpenter battled injuries and saw his playing time decrease during the latter half of the season, and it's possible he remains in a reserve role to begin the 2024 campaign.

Soler has informed the Marlins that he will opt out of the final year of his contract on Thursday, Craig Mish of the Miami Herald reports.

Soler played out two seasons of his three-year contract, but he was set for a relatively low salary of $9 million in 2024. He hit 36 home runs and maintained a .853 OPS across 580 plate appearances in 2023, so there should be plenty of interest in him from teams around the league.

The Padres sent Seagle outright to Triple-A El Paso on Thursday.

Seagle was selected to the major-league roster as a depth piece during the final days of the regular season and registered only one plate appearance. He slashed .209/.261/.296 across 230 plate appearances between Double-A and Triple-A, and he'll now return to the minors without the benefit of a 40-man spot.

Seattle sent Torrens outright to Triple-A Tacoma on Tuesday.

Torrens drew only 30 major-league plate appearances this season between the Cubs and Mariners. The 27-year-old catcher is a .227/.289/.354 hitter in 269 career games at the big-league level.

Garver (ribs) is batting fifth and will serve as Texas' designated hitter against Arizona in Game 1 of the World Series.

Garver had to make an early exit from Game 7 of the ALCS after taking a fastball to the ribs, but he managed to escape without any serious injuries and will now return to the lineup to begin the Fall Classic. Garver has been a key piece to the Rangers' offensive success throughout the postseason, slashing .294/.368/.529 with two homers and 11 RBI.

Garver (ribs) did not suffer any fractures when he was hit by a pitch Monday in Game 7 of the ALCS, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.

Garver took a Bryan Abreu fastball to the ribs in the top of the sixth inning and was removed from the game before his next at-bat, but he has avoided a serious injury and could be ready for Game 1 of the World Series on Friday. The 32-year-old has posted an .898 OPS with two homers, two doubles and 11 RBI through nine games this postseason while serving as the Rangers' designated hitter.

Pham will start at designated hitter and bat fifth Monday in Game 6 of the NLCS in Philadelphia, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Pham was removed for a pinch runner in Game 3 and for a pinch hitter in Game 4 before not starting Game 5. He'll get another shot to start Game 6 as the Diamondbacks attempt to stave off elimination. Pham is just 1-for-13 with six strikeouts so far during the NLCS.

Garver went 3-for-4 with a double and a home run, tallying two runs and two RBI in Sunday's 9-2 win over the Astros in Game 6 of the ALCS.

Garver had a key home run in the second inning that tied the game. He later added an RBI double in the eighth. The designated hitter had been struggling to get things going at the plate against Houston in this series, going 2-for-17 in his last five games, but perhaps Sunday's effort is a signal he is starting to turn things around at the plate. Garver is slashing .290/.353/.548 with two home runs, six runs and 10 RBI across 31 at-bats this postseason.

Pham isn't in the Diamondbacks' lineup for Game 5 of the NLCS versus the Phillies.

Pham has gone 1-for-13 with six strikeouts through the first four games of the NLCS, so he'll get a chance to regroup as he sits out Game 5. Pavin Smith will serve as Arizona's designated hitter instead and bat fifth.

Pham (toe) will return to the outfield Thursday in Game 3 of the NLCS against the Phillies, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Pham has been limited to DH duties since late September because of turf toe, but he's feeling better now and will give the Diamondbacks a slightly different lineup look as they try to rebound from an 0-2 series deficit. Pham is 0-for-8 with three strikeouts so far in the NLCS, but he went 7-for-22 (.318) with six runs scored in five games between the Wild Card Series and NLDS.