MLB Player News

Manning (foot) has had a normal offseason throwing routine and is expected to be ready for the start of spring training, MLB.com reports.

Manning sustained a fractured foot after being struck by a line drive off the bat of Giancarlo Stanton in September. The injury ended his 2023 season, though it doesn't seem like it should impact the righty in 2024. Manning finished last year with a solid 3.58 ERA and 1.04 WHIP across 78 innings (15 starts), though he struck out only 50 batters.

Brown is adding a slider to his pitch mix this offseason, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Brown had an excellent start to his rookie season in 2023 but faded down the stretch while posting a 6.57 ERA across the second half of the year. He attributed some of those struggles to fatigue, though he also served up 1.9 HR/9 to right-handed hitters. While he threw a cut-slider and also experimented with a sweeper, Brown is working on a traditional slider that projects to have more of a velocity gap compared to his fastball. If he incorporates that into his pitch mix effectively, he should have more success neutralizing right-handed bats.

Waldichuk (elbow) likely won't be ready for the start of the season, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Waldichuk underwent surgery in October to repair the damage done to his left UCL and flexor during his final start of 2023. Athletics general manager David Forst didn't offer a timeline for Waldichuk's return during Friday's call with reporters, so it remains unclear when the 26-year-old southpaw will be able to return to Oakland's rotation. Last year, Waldichuk put up a 5.36 ERA and 1.56 WHIP in 141 innings -- his highest workload in a season since he was drafted in 2019.

Suarez will make $925,000 in 2024 after losing his arbitration case to the Angels on Friday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Suarez had an 8.29 ERA across 33.2 innings last season and was in his first year of arbitration eligibility. The 26-year-old lefty posted a 3.86 ERA in 45 appearances (34 starts) during the 2021-22 campaigns, and he'll likely need to get back to that form to have a chance of working out of the rotation regularly in 2024.

The Athletics acquired Stripling and cash considerations from the Giants on Friday in exchange for Jonah Cox.

Stripling's one season in San Francisco was a disappointment, as he posted a 5.36 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 70:16 K:BB across 89 innings covering 11 starts and 11 relief appearances. The 34-year-old will slide into the Athletics' rotation and gets to pitch in a favorable home environment. However, Stripling doesn't pitch deep into games and that, along with a lack of support from the putrid Oakland offense, means wins figure to be hard to come by.

Burnes was traded from the Brewers to the Orioles in exchange for DL Hall, Joey Ortiz and the 34th pick in the 2024 MLB Draft on Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Burnes was floated in trade rumors throughout the offseason, though it appeared that perhaps he'd begin the 2024 campaign with the Brewers. Instead, he'll provide a front-line arm to strengthen the Orioles rotation. Even in a down year relative to his lofty standards, Burnes put together a 3.39 ERA and 1.07 WHIP with a 200:66 K:BB across 193.2 innings in 2023 and will now call pitcher-friendly Camden Yards his home park.

DeSclafani (elbow), Justin Topa, Gabriel Gonzalez and Darren Bowen were traded from the Mariners to the Twins on Monday in exchange for Jorge Polanco, Kiley McDaniel of ESPN.com reports.

DeSclafani's tenure in Seattle didn't last long, as the right-hander was dealt to the Mariners earlier in the month alongside Mitch Haniger in exchange for Robbie Ray. DeSclafani was limited to 19 starts in 2023 due to a right flexor strain, and while the hope is that he'll be ready for Opening Day, he's yet to get the all clear. Once healthy, he'll compete with Chris Paddack and Louie Varland for one of the final two spots in MInnesota's rotation.

Strotman signed a minor-league contract with the Astros on Monday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Once a prized pitching prospect in the Rays organization whom the Twins acquired along with Joe Ryan in the deal that sent Nelson Cruz to Tampa Bay in July 2021, Strotman has since bounced around. After being dropped from the Twins' 40-man roster in September 2022, Strotman caught on with the Rangers and then the Giants last offseason. He spent the entire 2023 campaign with the Giants' Triple-A affiliate in Sacramento, logging a 6.47 ERA and 1.84 WHIP over 97.1 innings. Though Strotman will get the chance to compete for a spot on the Astros' Opening Day roster, he'll most likely serve as a swingman at Triple-A Sugar Land to begin the 2024 season.

Scherzer (back) said Saturday that he's about three weeks away from resuming workouts, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

Scherzer is six weeks removed from surgery to repair a herniated disc in his back and has progressed with no setbacks. The 39-year-old right-hander hopes to be ready to rejoin the Rangers' rotation by June or July, but it's a very rough timetable at this juncture.

Carrasco (finger) signed a minor-league contract with the Guardians on Saturday and received an invitation to major-league spring training, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Carrasco pitched for Cleveland between 2009-20 and will return for his second stint with the franchise after three years with the Mets. Carrasco put up a 6.80 ERA and 1.70 WHIP through 90 innings across 20 starts last season, and his campaign was cut short in September by a fractured finger. Given the strength of Cleveland's rotation, it's unlikely the 36-year-old lands a starting job, but he could operate as a multi-inning reliever for the big-league club if he turns in a solid spring.