MLB Player News

Mariot elected to become a free agent Tuesday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Mariot spent most of 2023 in Triple-A Louisville, where he posted a 6.49 ERA and 1.59 WHIP through 51.1 innings. However, after making just one appearance in the majors -- his first since 2016 -- the 34-year-old reliever will now look for a better opportunity elsewhere.

Bachman recently underwent cleanup surgery on his right shoulder, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

The belief is that he will be ready for the beginning of spring training in February. Bachman, 24, posted an encouraging 3.18 ERA with 14 strikeouts over his first 17 major-league innings this season for the Angels before being shut down in mid-July due to nagging shoulder issues.

Nelson is not on the Diamondbacks' roster for their NL Wild Card Series matchup versus the Brewers.

Bryce Jarvis is essentially being carried instead as the Diamondbacks roll with 12 pitchers and 14 position players. Nelson surrendered 10 runs -- nine earned -- over his final 6.2 innings to close out the 2023 regular season.

Weathers is on the Marlins' roster for their NL Wild Card Series matchup against the Phillies.

Weathers finished the regular season on a high note Sunday at Pittsburgh, scattering two hits and three walks over six scoreless innings in what was his longest start since May. The 23-year-old left-hander figures to operate in long relief in the best-of-three series versus Philadelphia.

Hoeing has been left off the Marlins' roster for their NL Wild Card Series matchup against Philadelphia.

Hoeing was a valuable swingman at times this season in Miami, but he surrendered 19 runs -- 18 earned -- over his final 13.2 innings. Johnny Cueto has also been excluded from the roster for this best-of-three series, with the Marlins opting to carry Ryan Weathers instead.

Busenitz struck out two over two perfect innings out of the bullpen in Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Cardinals after the Reds selected his contract from Triple-A Louisville prior to the contest.

The Reds optioned Carson Spiers to the minors to open up a spot on 28-man active roster for Busenitz ahead of the season finale. Busenitz thus closes the season with a spot on the Reds' 40-man roster, though he may find himself on the chopping block once Cincinnati reinstates players from the 60-day injured list over the offseason. The 33-year-old right-hander made six relief appearances at the big-league level in 2023, posting a 2.57 ERA and 1.29 WHIP across seven innings.

The Cubs transferred Fulmer (forearm) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Sunday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Fulmer had already been ruled out for the season after landing on the 15-day IL on Sept. 16 with a right forearm strain. His move to the 60-day IL was merely for procedural purposes, as the transaction opened up a spot on the 40-man roster for reliever Shane Greene. Assuming he doesn't require an offseason procedure to address the forearm strain, Fulmer should be fully cleared for spring training, but he may not be attending camp as a member of the Cubs organization. The 30-year-old right-hander is scheduled to become a free agent this offseason after accruing a 4.42 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 65:28 K:BB to go with three wins, 11 holds and two saves over 57 innings in 2023.

Hernandez has been left off the Rangers' AL Wild Card Series roster due to a shoulder injury, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Hernandez had an up-and-down 2023 season but finished with five straight scoreless appearances, so this is a hit to a bullpen that can ill afford it. Whether Hernandez could potentially be ready should the Rangers advance to the ALDS is unclear.

Fulmer (1-1) got the win over the Athletics on Sunday after tossing five shutout innings while allowing just two hits and three walks. He struck out three.

Fulmer handled the Athletics and picked up his first win since 2019 when he was with the White Sox. The former first round pick has not been effective as a big leaguer and struggled mightily at Triple-A Salt Lake with a 5.27 ERA and 1.78 WHIP in 2023. He should not be in consideration to make the 2024 opening day roster, even if the Angels go into rebuilding mode.

Lopez (1-0) got the win Sunday over the Blue Jays but allowed six runs (five earned) on eight hits and two walks while striking out four over 5.1 innings.

Lopez threw an easy 1-2-3 first inning but put two runners on to begin the second and gave up a two-run triple to Tyler Heineman before allowing him to score on a wild pitch. He kept the Blue Jays off the board for the next three innings but could not escape trouble in the sixth and wound up giving up three more runs before being pulled. Sunday was his longest major-league outing this year but was also his worst showing. He posted solid minor-league numbers in 2023, but he was essentially an emergency option for the big club down the stretch.