MLB Player News

The Orioles signed Kimbrel to a one-year, $13 million contract Wednesday with a $13 million club option for 2025, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic was first to pass along word that a deal was close, and now it's all official after Kimbrel passed his pre-signing physical. The veteran reliever registered a steady 3.26 ERA with 94 strikeouts across 69 regular-season innings for the Phillies in 2023, also racking up 23 saves. He will now step into the closer role in Baltimore as a replacement for Felix Bautista, who is slated to miss the entire 2024 campaign as he recovers from Tommy John surgery.

Smeltzer signed a minor-league contract with the Marlins on Wednesday, Andersen Pickard of Prime Time Sports Talk reports.

Smeltzer was pushed off the 40-man roster in Miami at the end of the regular season and then elected to become a free agent, but he is back as organizational depth for the 2024 campaign. The 28-year-old left-hander owns a career 4.32 ERA and 112:41 K:BB in 162.1 career major-league innings.

Abreu signed with the Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball on Wednesday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Abreu was non-tendered by the Yankees last month and is now headed overseas. The 28-year-old reliever holds a career 4.58 ERA and 136:78 K:BB over 135.2 innings over parts of four seasons at the major-league level.

Koch signed a minor-league contract with the Rockies on Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Koch appeared in 39 games for the Rockies in 2023, posting a 5.12 ERA and 1.29 WHIP across 38.2 innings. He'll compete for a job in Colorado's Opening Day bullpen.

Seabold was released by the Rockies on Wednesday, Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com reports.

The Rockies needed to clear a spot on their 40-man roster if they wanted to make a pick during Wednesday's Rule 5 Draft, and they've done just that. Seabold posted a ghastly 7.52 ERA over 27 appearances (13 starts) for Colorado in 2023. He'll turn 28 next month.

The Astros acquired Coleman from the Royals on Wednesday in exchange for Carlos Mateo, Anne Rogers and Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com report.

Coleman broke out with Kansas City in 2022 but regressed in a big way in 2023, posting an 8.84 ERA and 21:19 K:BB over 18.1 innings during his time in the majors. There's stuff to work with here, though, and the Astros have a good reputation when it comes to getting the most out of their pitchers.

The Marlins plan to stretch Puk out during spring training as they consider him for a rotation spot, Isaac Azout of SBNation.com reports.

All 142 appearances for Puk at the major-league level have come in relief, but he initially began his pro career as a starter with the Athletics. At this point, it seems like a long shot that Puk can be healthy and effective as a starter, but the Marlins are at least willing to give it a test drive.

Kimbrel is close to an agreement with the Orioles, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Joel Sherman reported Tuesday night that talks between the two sides were picking up steam and it appears they're now nearing the finish line. It's unclear at this point what the details of the contract could look like. Kimbrel would presumably take over as closer for the Orioles with Felix Bautista (elbow) set to miss 2024 while recovering from Tommy John surgery. The 35-year-old Kimbrel posted a 3.26 ERA and 94:28 K:BB over 69 innings for the Phillies in 2023, collecting 23 saves along the way.

Cordero has signed with the Chiba Lotte Marines of Nippon Professional Baseball, Andy Martino of SNY.tv reports.

Cordero didn't pitch for the Yankees in the second half this season after being suspended for domestic violence, and he eventually elected free agency. He's now headed overseas to continue his career.

Tonkin signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Mets on Tuesday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

The 2023 campaign marked Tonkin's return to the majors after six seasons, and he logged a 4.28 ERA and 1.09 WHIP with a 75:23 K:BB across 80 innings. The 34-year-old righty will likely operate as a multi-inning reliever in a Mets bullpen that struggled to find consistent success last season.