MLB Player News

The Brewers and Wilson avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1 million contract Thursday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

This was Wilson's first year of arbitration eligibility. The right-hander thrived in 2023 in his first year as a full-time reliever, posting a 2.58 ERA and 61:22 K:BB over 76.2 innings of work. He'll work in middle relief again in 2024.

The Dodgers and Ferguson avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.4 million contract Thursday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

It's a nice salary bump for Ferguson, who was eligible for salary arbitration for the final time. The left-handed reliever collected a 3.43 ERA and 70:23 K:BB across 60.1 frames with the Dodgers in 2023.

The Marlins and Puk avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.8 million contract Thursday, Craig Mish of the Miami Herald reports.

It was Puk's first year of arbitration eligibility. The left-hander saved 15 games while posting a 3.97 ERA and 78:13 K:BB over 56.2 innings in 2023. The Marlins plan to send Puk to camp as a starter, but the odds of him returning to relief would appear high.

The Twins and Thielbar avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.225 million contract Thursday, Kiley McDaniel of ESPN.com reports.

Thielbar was arbitration-eligible for the third and final time. The left-handed reliever missed some time with injury in 2023 but was highly successful when on the bump, contributing a 3.23 ERA and 36:6 K:BB over 30.2 frames. He'll be a setup man again in 2024.

The Cubs and Alzolay avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.11 million contract Thursday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

It's a nice little raise for Alzolay, who was arbitration-eligible for the first time. The 28-year-old emerged as the Cubs' closer in 2023, saving 22 games while posting a 2.67 ERA and 67:13 K:BB over 64 innings. Provided Chicago doesn't add a closer from outside the organization, Alzolay is in line to serve in that role again in 2024.

The Reds and Young avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.16 million contract Thursday, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

Young was eligible for salary arbitration for the first time. The left-hander had a nice showing in 2023 in a full-time relief role in Cincinnati, posting a 3.86 ERA and 50:20 K:BB across 53.2 frames.

The Orioles and Tate avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.5 million contract Thursday, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

Tate will receive the same salary as he was paid in 2023 after he missed the entire season because of a forearm issue. With better health, the 29-year-old could return to a setup role with Baltimore in 2024.

The Rays and Armstrong avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.05 million contract Thursday, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

Armstrong was eligible for arbitration for a third time. The right-handed reliever was fantastic for Tampa Bay in 2023, collecting a 1.38 ERA and 54:11 K:BB across 52 frames. He's slated for middle relief with the Rays again in 2024.

Kuhnel cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday.

Kuhnel is no longer on the Astros' 40-man roster but will remain in the organization. The big right-hander has posted a 6.02 ERA and 71:24 K:BB over 83.2 innings during parts of four major-league seasons.

Hernandez signed a minor-league contract with the Dodgers on Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Hernandez was limited to just 9.1 innings in the minors in 2023 due to a pectoral injury, but it appears he's recovered from that issue. The 28-year-old right-hander holds a 5.04 ERA and 277:94 K:BB over 287.2 innings covering parts of five seasons at the major-league level. Hernandez seems likely to begin 2024 in Triple-A Oklahoma City's rotation.