MLB Player News

Krehbiel signed a minor-league contract with the Mariners on Tuesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Krehbiel, 31, holds a 3.65 ERA and 57:27 K:BB over 74 relief innings covering parts of four seasons at the big-league level. The right-hander spent the 2023 campaign in the Orioles organization, holding a 1.80 ERA in six appearances in the majors and a 3.89 ERA in 35 outings at Triple-A Norfolk.

Graveman is expected to miss the 2024 season after the Astros announced Tuesday that he underwent surgery last week to repair the labrum in his right shoulder.

Graveman first developed shoulder soreness toward the end of the 2023 regular season and was held out of postseason action. Discomfort returned after a period of rest and rehab, necessitating the procedure. Graveman, 33, will be entering the final year of his three-year, $24 million contract in 2024 and is set to become a free agent next offseason.

Bautista (elbow) on Tuesday wouldn't rule out the possibility of returning before the end of the 2024 season, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Bautista underwent Tommy John surgery in October, so the odds of him making it back at any point in 2024 are slim, if not non-existent. The goal remains for the reliever to be ready for the start of the 2025 season. Craig Kimbrel is slated to serve as the Orioles' closer while Bautista rehabs.

The Reds designated Duarte (shoulder) for assignment Saturday.

With the signing of Brent Suter becoming official Saturday, Duarte will be pushed off the Reds' 40-man roster. The 27-year-old righty posted a 3.69 ERA and 1.39 WHIP across 31.2 innings last season and could be an attractive waiver option for other clubs in search of bullpen help.

Jackson signed with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball on Friday.

After three seasons in Major League Baseball, Jackson will ply his trade in Japan, where he might be able to work as a starter. The Pirates released Jackson last month to allow him to pursue this opportunity. Still just 27, Jackson could theoretically return to the majors down the line if things go well for him in his new venture.

Harris signed a minor-league contract with the Twins on Friday.

Harris elected to enter free agency after being outrighted to Triple-A by the Nationals earlier in the offseason. The 30-year-old righty made his MLB debut last season, posting a 5.12 ERA and 1.76 WHIP through 19.1 frames, and he'll serve as organizational bullpen depth for the Twins.

The Mets claimed Kranick off waivers from the Pirates on Friday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Kranick is on the move to a new organization one week after being designated for assignment. The right-hander missed most of 2023 while working his way back from Tommy John surgery but will enter 2024 healthy. He's posted a 5.56 ERA and 36:22 K:BB across nine starts and two relief appearances at the big-league level.

Hicks signed a four-year, $44 million contract with the Giants on Friday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

The kicker here is that the Giants plan to use Hicks as a starter, which comes as quite a surprise. Hicks' only experience in the majors as a starter came early in 2022 with the Cardinals, when he posted a 5.47 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 25:21 K:BB over 26.2 innings. His 204 other big-league appearances have all been in relief, including all 65 last season. The Giants always have the option of eventually moving Hicks back to the bullpen if starting doesn't work out, of course. The 27-year-old held a 3.29 ERA and 81:32 K:BB across 65.2 frames for the Cardinals and Blue Jays in 2023.

VerHagen signed a one-year contract with the Nippon-Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional Baseball on Friday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

The deal also includes a player option for a second season and could max out at close to $8 million. It will be the second stint with the Fighters for VerHagen, who pitched for them from 2020-21 before spending the last two seasons with the Cardinals.

Ginkel signed a one-year contract with the Diamondbacks on Thursday to avoid arbitration.

Ginkel has posted consecutive solid seasons, though 2023 marked an apparent breakout. He earned 12 saves and holds and posted a 70:23 K:BB across 65.1 innings. Paul Sewald should be locked into the closer role in Arizona, but Ginkel could be his primary setup man.