MLB Player News

Antone (elbow) signed a one-year, $770,000 contract with the Reds on Friday to avoid arbitration, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Antone missed the entirety of 2022 due to Tommy John surgery, but back-to-back seasons with a sub-3.00 ERA and a strikeout rate north of 30 percent in 2020-21 is more than enough reason for the Reds to keep him around. He will likely have to slowly work back into high-leverage situations, but if he's able to return to his pre-injury form, he could take over as the Reds' closer during the season.

Arano agreed to a one-year, $925,000 contract with the Nationals on Friday to avoid arbitration, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Arano made 43 appearances for the Nationals in 2022 and had a 4.50 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 44:12 K:BB across 42 innings. The 27-year-old is likely to open 2023 in middle relief but could see high-leverage chances with a strong start to the campaign.

Finnegan signed a one-year, $2.325 million contract with the Nationals on Friday to avoid arbitration, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Finnegan collected 11 saves for the Nationals last season, posting a 3.51 ERA and 70:22 K:BB over 66.2 innings along the way. He is the favorite to open 2023 as the club's closer, although his leash wouldn't figure to be a long one.

Graterol signed a one-year, $1.225 million contract with the Dodgers on Friday to avoid arbitration, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Graterol put together a very nice season in 2022 with a 3.26 ERA and 0.99 WHIP through 49.2 frames. However, injuries to his shoulder and elbow kept him out for nearly two months. The 24-year-old reliever has the stuff and the numbers to justify a potential move into a closer or primary setup role if he can stay healthy.

Rogers signed a one-year, $1.675 million contract with the Giants on Friday to avoid arbitration, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

While not nearly as effective as he was in 2021, Rogers still had a 3.57 ERA over 68 appearances in 2022. In 2023 he'll be a teammate of his twin brother, Taylor Rogers, who signed with the Giants last month.

Almonte signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Dodgers on Friday to avoid arbitration, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Despite missing roughly two months of the season with an elbow injury, Almonte still put together an outstanding 2022 campaign, allowing just four earned runs over 35.1 frames. Of course, numbers as good as his will be nearly impossible to replicate in 2023, but if he can stay close to the level he was at last year, he may establish himself as one of the premier pieces of the Dodgers' bullpen.

Luetge signed a one-year, $1.55 million contract with Atlanta on Friday to avoid arbitration, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Luetge was just picked up via trade from the Yankees a couple weeks ago. The left-hander holds a 2.71 ERA over the last two seasons and is expected to fill a middle-relief role.

Williams agreed to a one-year, $3.35 million contract with the Brewers on Friday to avoid arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

It's the first year of arbitration eligibility for the 2020 NL Rookie of the Year, so he'll get a significant raise from his salary over the past few years. The 28-year-old is now locked is as Milwaukee's closer with Josh Hader in San Diego, and Williams had a 1.93 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 96:30 K:BB across 60.2 innings last season with 15 saves in 17 chances.

Jimenez signed a one-year, $2.765 million contract with Atlanta to avoid arbitration, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Acquired from the Tigers via trade last month, Jimenez is slated to help set up for Raisel Iglesias with his new team. The righty finally broke out in 2022 with a 3.49 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 77:13 K:BB over 56.2 innings.

Hill signed a one-year, $1.85 million contract with the Padres on Friday to avoid arbitration, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Hill posted a 3.56 ERA in 2022 but managed just 25 strikeouts over 48 innings and missed some time with a shoulder problem. It's possible the heavy usage over the years in his age-32 season just caught up to him, but the Padres will hope he can return to form in 2023.