MLB Player News

The Cardinals are unlikely to tender a contract to pitcher John Axford, MLB.com reports. Axford earned $5 million is 2013 due to his history as a closer, and he would earn a minimum of $4 million through arbitration if the team decided to tender him a contract.

Axford could return to the team on a reduced salary depending on the market he finds for his services in free agency. He went 7-7 with a 4.02 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 65:26 K:BB ratio in 65 innings between the Brewers and Cardinals last season.

The Diamondbacks and pitcher Daniel Hudson are in contract discussions, MLB.com reports. The two sides would avoid arbitration if they could agree to a deal, and the team has until Monday to decide whether to offer the pitcher arbitration.

"Hopefully we'll get something done in the next few days or over the weekend," Hudson said. "Obviously my wife and I have our roots set down here. We'd like to be here for the long run, and I'd like to have a long career with the Diamondbacks."

Hudson is recovering from multiple Tommy John surgeries, last pitching in 2012 before re-injuring his elbow in June. He's planning to wait until about six months after the most recent surgery to begin throwing.

Cubs pitching coach Chris Bosio told the Chicago Tribune that the closer's job for next season could come down to a competition between Pedro Strop and Hector Rondon. Strop finished out the 2013 season as the Cubs' setup man, while Rondon served in both middle relief and setup roles.

Strop went 2-5 with a 4.55 ERA and one save for the Cubs and Orioles, while as a rookie, Rondon was 2-1 with 4.77 ERA.

The Rockies may consider dealing outfielder Dexter Fowler for Royals relief pitchers, according to the Kansas City Star.

The team is considering Aaron Crow or Tim Collins. Fowler hit .263/.369/.407 in 415 at-bats. Crow had a 3.38 ERA in 48 innings. Collins had a 3.54 ERA in 53 1/3 innings.

The Mets placed minor league starting pitcher Hansel Robles on waivers, and upon clearing them, he was outrighted off the 40-man roster, according to ESPN.com.

Over 84 2/3 innings, Robles compiled a 5-4 record and a 3.72 ERA with Advanced Class A St. Lucie in 2013.

The Dodgers added pitchers Pedro Baez, Yimi Garcia and Jarret Martin to the 40-man roster Wednesday.

Baez went 3-3 with a 3.88 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 55:23 K:BB ratio over 58 innings between high Class A Rancho Cucamonga and Double-A Chattanooga in his first season since being converted from an infielder to a pitcher. Garcia went 4-6 with a 2.54 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 85:14 K:BB ratio in 60 1/3 innings with Double-A Chattanooga. Martin went 6-7 with a 4.30 ERA, 1.64 WHIP and 106:62 K:BB ratio in 96 1/3 innings between high Class A Rancho Cucamonga and Double-A Chattanooga.

CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman reports that the Orioles and Cardinals had discussions around filling their respective needs for pitching and a shortstop, but the Cardinals did not want to part with Shelby Miller for American League Gold Glove winner J.J. Hardy .

Miller went 15-9 with a 3.06 ERA and was a candidate for the National League Rookie of the Year, while Hardy tied the Rockies' Troy Tulowitzki with most home runs for a shortstop with 25.

Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said pitcher Shelby Miller would have pitched in Game 6 if "things got out of hand," according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 

Miller didn't see any time during the World Series after tossing a strong regular season. He was moved to the bullpen, but was not used in that role. The World Series eneded as Miller was warming up in the bullpen. Miller had a 3.06 ERA in 173 1/3 innings during the regular season. His innings limit was the main reason Miller didn't see much work during the postseason. Matheny said he believes Miller is a top of the rotation starter, and should pitch around 200 innings in 2014.

The San Diego Padres made a series of roster moves Monday as they reinstated pitchers Casey Kelly, Jason Marquis and catcher Yasmani Grandal from the 60-day disabled list. Marquis then declared for free agency.

Infielder Ronny Cedeno and outfielder Mark Kotsay also declared free agency. Kotsay said he was going to retire back in September after 17 seasons, including two stints in San Diego. Pitcher Tommy Layne, who had been designated for assignment last week, has been outrighted to Triple-A Reno.

Kelly and Grandal are both coming off major surgeries. Kelly, the team's No. 3 prospect, according to MLB.com, had reconstructive surgery on his right elbow in April. He won't be ready for the 2014 regular season. Grandal had surgery to repair his right anterior cruciate ligament Aug. 6. He said he expects to be ready for spring training.

The Rockies and reliever Matt Belisle exercised their mutual 2014 option on Monday, according to MLB.com. Belisle is now set to earn $4.25 million next season.

Leading the team with 24 holds, Belisle pitched in 72 games this season and compiled a 4.32 ERA.