MLB Player News

The Pirates declined Garcia's (biceps) $3.25 million option for 2024 on Saturday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Garcia didn't pitch at all this season due to a nerve issue in his left biceps, which seemed to make it a given that his option wouldn't be picked up. It's unclear what his current health status is as he heads into free agency.

The Rangers exercised Leclerc's $6.25 million option for 2024 on Saturday.

Leclerc proved to be a valuable member of Texas' bullpen en route to the team's first World Series title, logging a 2.68 ERA and 1.14 WHIP alongside a 67:28 K:BB over 57 innings. Given his dominance and consistency across the past two seasons, the 29-year-old righty could be in the mix for more save opportunities next year.

The Dodgers declined Reyes' (shoulder) $3 million option for 2024 on Saturday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Reyes was recovering from shoulder surgery when he signed a one-year deal with the Dodgers in February. He underwent another procedure on his right shoulder in June and will now leave the organization without appearing in a game. Reyes has been effective when healthy throughout his career; however, he hasn't pitched since 2021, and concerns regarding his health will significantly impact his value in free agency.

Martinez and the Padres both declined their respective options for 2024 and 2025 on Saturday, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

The Padres held two $16 million options on Martinez for the next two seasons. The team declined both, converting them into $8 million player options, which Martinez also turned down. The 33-year-old reliever logged a 3.43 ERA and 1.26 WHIP while recording 15 holds, and he figures to draw a fair amount of attention from teams in need of multi-inning relief help.

The Rays placed Sulser on outright waivers Saturday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Sulser appeared in four games for the Diamondbacks in 2023 before being claimed off waivers by the Rays in August. The 33-year-old reliever posted a 4.35 ERA and 1.50 WHIP across 20.2 frames in Triple-A.

The Rays placed Fleming on outright waivers Saturday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Fleming put up a 4.70 ERA and 1.45 WHIP across 51.2 innings with the Rays in 2023, and he'll join five other teammates on the waiver wire as he loses his place on Tampa Bay's 40-man roster.

The Rays placed Beeks on outright waivers Saturday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Beeks made numerous trips between Triple-A Durham and Tampa Bay over the course of the season, recording a 5.95 ERA and 1.49 WHIP across 42.1 major-league innings. With a career 4.38 ERA, Beeks could draw some interest on the waiver wire.

Neris declined his $8.5 million player option for 2024 on Saturday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Neris will receive a $1 million buyout and enter the free agent market after enjoying the best statistical season of his career (1.71 ERA, 1.05 WHIP) with the Astros. Neris will turn 35 in June, so a long-term deal isn't likely, but he should have little trouble finding a place to pitch in 2024.

The Cubs declined their part of a $5 million mutual option with Boxberger (forearm) on Friday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Boxberger will get an $800,000 buyout as he moves into free agency. The veteran reliever logged only 5.1 major-league innings in the second half of the 2023 season due to nagging forearm issues, but he compiled a 3.15 ERA over 141 appearances with Milwaukee the prior two years and could be a bounce-back candidate for a team seeking bullpen help.

Loup (shoulder) had his $7.5 million team option declined by the Angels on Friday.

Loup will officially enter free agency after logging the worst statistical season of his 12-year career with a 6.10 ERA and 1.75 WHIP through 48.2 innings. Despite his poor performance in 2023, the 35-year-old southpaw may still draw interest in the offseason from teams in search of bullpen depth.