MLB Player News

Taylor (back) signed a one-year contract Friday with the Royals, avoiding arbitration.

The deal is worth $1.1 million, per Anne Rogers of MLB.com. Taylor missed much of the 2023 season due to left shoulder impingement syndrome and a herniated disc in his back, but the Royals will hope that he can return to full health in 2024 and be an effective left-handed relief option.

Cleveland acquired Barlow from the Padres on Friday in exchange for Enyel De Los Santos.

Barlow posted a rough 5.35 ERA through his first 38.2 innings with the Royals in 2023, but he turned it around to the tune of a 3.07 ERA across 29.1 innings following an Aug. 1 trade to San Diego. The 30-year-old right-hander should be a setup option for the Guardians next season.

The Athletics claimed Kelly off waivers from the Guardians on Friday.

Kelly was designated for assignment by the Guardians on Tuesday. The 31-year-old right-hander posted a 3.78 ERA with 16 strikeouts over 16.2 major-league innings in 2023 and should be a strong consideration for the Opening Day bullpen in Oakland next spring.

The Royals designated Cox (knee) for assignment Friday.

In order to make room for the acquisition of Nick Anderson from Atlanta, Cox will be booted from the 40-man roster and placed on the waiver wire. Cox put up a 4.54 ERA and 1.26 WHIP through 35.2 innings with the Royals in 2023, but he could be at risk of missing the start of the 2024 campaign after tearing his left ACL and damaging his MCL in September.

Atlanta traded Anderson to the Royals on Friday in exchange for cash, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Anderson was a non-tender candidate for Atlanta, so Kansas City took the opportunity to land the 33-year-old reliever. Anderson posted a 3.06 ERA and 1.10 WHIP with 36 strikeouts across 35.1 frames before a shoulder strain put an early end to his season. With the Royals, Anderson may be called upon often in high-leverage situations.

White Sox general manager Chris Getz said Friday that he wants Crochet to be used in a multi-inning role next season, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports.

Crochet's workload will be carefully monitored during spring training, and the team will determine at that point whether to continue to stretch him out to start or use him in relief. At the very least, this would seem to rule the lefty out from being under consideration to serve as the White Sox' closer in 2024, although plenty can change between now and when that decision gets made. Crochet missed all of 2022 following Tommy John surgery and was limited to 25 appearances between the majors and minors in 2023 due to a shoulder issue, although he ended the season healthy.

Kelly was designated for assignment by the Guardians on Tuesday.

Kelly is 31 years old and has logged only 20.2 career innings at the major-league level, but he's generally been effective when given a chance. The righty reliever could draw interest on waivers given the high demand -- and low supply -- for bullpen help.

The Royals selected Klein to their 40-man roster Tuesday.

Klein, 23, posted a 4.62 ERA and 93:39 K:BB in 64.1 innings of work this past year between Double-A Northwest Arkansas and Triple-A Omaha. The young reliever could make his MLB debut in 2024.

Staumont (neck) was designated for assignment by the Royals on Tuesday.

Staumont looked like a promising young reliever at one point, but he holds an ugly 6.09 ERA over his last 57.2 big-league innings dating back to the beginning of 2022 and required surgery this past July for thoracic outlet syndrome.

Alexander (lat) signed a one-year contract with the Rays on Tuesday, avoiding arbitration, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Alexander was claimed off waivers from the Tigers last week. He finished the 2023 season on the 60-day injured list because of a partial lat tear but struck out 44 batters and issued only five walks over 44 innings when healthy.