MLB Player News

Oakland signed Newcomb (knee) to a one-year, $1 million contract Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

The 30-year-old left-hander was a potential non-tender candidate for the Athletics this winter, but the two parties have opted to skip that process and lock in an agreement for the 2024 season. Newcomb required lateral meniscus surgery on his left knee this past September but is expected to be fully recovered by the beginning of spring training in February. He had been operating as a starter with the A's just prior to the knee injury and could get a chance to compete for an Opening Day rotation spot in camp.

The Padres outrighted Carlton (elbow) to Triple-A El Paso on Thursday.

Carlton posted a 4.35 ERA and 1.16 WHIP through 20.2 innings out of the bullpen during the first half of the year, but inflammation in his right elbow kept him from playing during the final three months of the season. If Carlton is able to duplicate his Triple-A stats from 2023 (3.00 ERA, 1.11 WHIP), he may be able to work his way back into the major-league bullpen.

Heller elected to become a free agent Thursday, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Heller was removed from Atlanta's 40-man roster this week and has opted for free agency rather than accepting an outright assignment. The reliever collected a 3.86 ERA and 16:11 K:BB over 18.2 innings in 2023.

Jimenez signed a three-year, $26 million contract extension with Atlanta on Thursday.

Atlanta has now locked up two impending free agent relievers after inking Pierce Johnson to a two-year contract extension last week. Jimenez earned the new deal following an excellent 2023 campaign which saw him collect a 3.04 ERA and 73:14 K:BB over 56.1 innings. He is in line to help set up for Raisel Iglesias again in 2024.

Atlanta outrighted Heller to Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday.

Heller returned to the majors this year for the first time since 2020 but struggled with his command while posting a 3.86 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 16:11 K:BB over 18.2 innings of relief for the NL East champs. He is no longer part of the 40-man roster in Atlanta.

Krehbiel was designated for assignment by the Orioles on Wednesday.

This move clears out a 40-man roster spot for outfielder Sam Hilliard, who has been claimed off waivers from Atlanta. Krehbiel, 30, logged only five innings at the major-league level in 2023 and posted a 3.89 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 32:25 K:BB across 39.1 innings with Triple-A Norfolk.

The Marlins outrighted Lindgren to Triple-A Jacksonville on Tuesday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Lindgren gave up four runs over seven innings across three appearances with Miami in 2023, and he'll return to the minors as the Marlins clear space on their 40-man roster. The 26-year-old righty posted a 4.88 ERA and 1.39 WHIP through 86.2 innings with Jacksonvile last season.

The Marlins sent De Jesus outright to Triple-A Jacksonville on Tuesday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

De Jesus made just two appearances in the big leagues this season, giving up eight runs over 6.1 innings in September. He'll remain in the Marlins organization after clearing waivers, but he'll likely have to improve upon his 4.78 ERA and 1.70 WHIP in Triple-A before reclaiming a spot on the 40-man roster.

The Rangers added Burke to their World Series roster Tuesday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

With Max Scherzer shut down for the rest of the Fall Classic due to back spasms, Burke will replace Scherzer on Texas' roster and provide additional bullpen depth to close out the series. The 27-year-old southpaw put up a 4.37 ERA and 1.22 WHIP through 59.2 frames during the regular season and will likely be limited to middle relief.

Sborz (hamstring) said he'll be available out of the bullpen in Game 4 of the World Series on Tuesday versus the Diamondbacks, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

Sborz experienced some hamstring cramps while pitching a scoreless seventh inning in the Rangers' Game 3 win on Monday, but he showed up back at Chase Field in Arizona on Tuesday with no lingering discomfort. The 29-year-old right-hander has allowed just one run through 9.2 innings of work in the 2023 postseason.