MLB Player News

Pruitt will join a group of pitchers that compete for the fifth spot in Houston's rotation, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The Astros acquired Pruitt from the Rays last week, returning the Houston-area native and former University of Houston standout to the area where he grew up. "We're not sure of the exact role, but I think he can start and I think that puts him in a final group of pitchers competing for our final spot or two," Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow said. The right-hander will compete with Josh James, Brad Peacock and Framber Valdez along with prospects Forrest Whitaker and Cristian Javier. Pruitt does not have minor-league options, so his inclusion on the Opening Day roster appears definite.

Hildenberger signed with the Red Sox as a non-roster invitee Saturday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Hildenberger didn't look good in his 16.1 innings for the Twins last season, posting a 10.47 ERA and a 2.27 WHIP. He can blame a .459 BABIP for some of his struggles, but his 4.81 FIP wasn't exactly promising.

Robles signed a one-year, $3.85 million contract with the Angels on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

Robles put together a stellar 2019 season, finishing with a 2.48 ERA and 1.02 WHIP to go along with 75 strikeouts and 23 saves (four blown saves) across 72.2 frames. He'll begin the 2020 campaign as the team's closer.

Rogers and the Twins avoided arbitration with a one-year deal Friday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

The financial terms of the deal have yet to be released, but Rogers should be in for a significant raise after emerging as the Twins' closer last season. He saved 30 games while posting a 2.61 ERA and a 32.4 percent strikeout rate.

May agreed to a one-year contract with Minnesota on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Brandon Warne of ZoneCoverage.com reports.

May set a career high in appearances a season ago with the Twins, posting a 2.94 ERA and 1.07 WHIP with 79 strikeouts over 64.1 frames (65 games). He also registered 17 holds. May will be in line for high-leverage innings during the 2020 campaign.

Green and the Yankees avoided arbitration with a one-year deal Friday.

Green started last season very poorly, getting sent down in late April with a 16.43 ERA and a 2.48 WHIP. He sorted things out in the minors and recovered to finish with a respectable 4.17 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP.

Kahnle and the Yankees agreed to terms on a one-year, $2.65 million contract Friday, avoiding arbitration, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

Kahnle threw 61.1 innings for the Yankees last season, posting a 3.67 ERA and a 35.5 percent strikeout rate. It was a significant bounce-back from his struggles in 2018, when he recorded a 6.56 ERA in 23.1 innings

Giles agreed to a one-year, $9.6 million deal with the Blue Jays, avoiding arbitration, Scott Mitchell of TSN.ca reports.

This is his third and final year as an arbitration-eligible player before he hits the open market. Giles will be unchallenged as the Jays' closer as long as he is healthy and reasonably effective, but it's possible he could be dangled in trades at the deadline if Toronto falls out of the playoff mix.

Norris and the Tigers agreed to a one-year, $2.96 million contract Friday, avoiding arbitration, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Norris will more than double his $1.28 million salary from 2019. He didn't exactly have a great year, posting a 4.49 ERA in 29 starts and three relief appearances, though that ERA still represented his best mark since 2016.

Hendriks and the Athletics agreed to a one-year, $5.3 million deal Friday, avoiding arbitration, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Hendriks will more than double his salary from the previous season, a very deserved raise following his breakout campaign. In his ninth season in the majors, Hendriks improved his ERA from 4.13 to 1.80 and saw his strikeout rate jump from 21.2 percent to 37.4 percent. He saved 25 games and should be in line to save several more this season provided he can keep up a similar level of performance.