MLB Player News

Wells signed a one-year, $1.9625 million contract with the Orioles on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Wells will receive a salary increase of roughly $1.23 million after turning in a 3.64 ERA and 0.99 WHIP through 118.2 frames last season. Wells struggled badly coming out of the All-Star break and was quickly demoted to the minors, but he was able to work his way back to the Orioles' bullpen before the end of the year. The 29-year-old should return to Baltimore's rotation to begin 2024.

Rasmussen (elbow) signed a one-year, $1.8625 million contract with the Rays on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

A right flexor strain put an early end to Rasmussen's season in May, and the 28-year-old righty underwent an internal brace procedure in July that will cause him to miss the first half of 2024. Rasmussen has been a key part of the Rays' rotation since joining the team in 2021, but his fantasy value going forward will be dependent on how well he's able to perform post-injury.

Littell signed a one-year, $1.85 million contract with the Rays on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

After getting DFA'd by the Giants in May, Littell was claimed off waivers by Tampa Bay and recorded a 3.93 ERA and 1.15 WHIP through 87 innings with the Rays. He projects to be the fourth or fifth man in Tampa Bay's rotation in 2024, though he also has plenty of experience coming out of the bullpen.

Toussaint agreed to a one-year, $1.3 million deal with the White Sox on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The 27-year-old righty would be a reliever for most clubs, but he could compete for a rotation spot this spring with Chicago. Toussaint had a 5.45 ERA and 1.53 WHIP in 74.1 innings as a starter last season, but he has shown he can be more productive in the bullpen, which is where he should eventually end up.

The Rays and Civale avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $4.9 million contract Thursday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

It's a substantial salary bump for Civale, who was arbitration-eligible for a second time. The right-hander held a 5.36 ERA over 45.1 innings after being acquired via trade by the Rays at last year's deadline, but a 58:11 K:BB provides reason for optimism. He'll be a key piece in the Rays' rotation in 2024.

Kopech (knee) agreed to a one-year, $3 million deal with the White Sox on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

He ended the year on the shelf with knee inflammation but will presumably be ready for spring training. Kopech, 27, logged a career-high 129.1 innings last year, but he also had a career-worst 5.43 ERA and 1.59 WHIP.

Soroka (forearm) agreed to a one-year, $3 million deal with the White Sox on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Soroka was traded from Atlanta to Chicago this offseason, which is a downgrade in overall team context but gives him a much better chance of being a regular member of a big-league rotation. Soroka dealt with forearm inflammation at the end of last season but it was reported in November that he had resumed throwing and felt great.

Blackburn agreed to a one-year, $3.45 million contract with Oakland on Thursday, avoiding arbitration.

Blackburn will remain Oakland's highest-paid pitcher. The 30-year-old righty has made 20-plus starts in back-to-back seasons and is useable in deeper leagues as a home streamer against teams like the Angels. He had a 3.57 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 54 strikeouts in 53 innings at home last season.

The Astros and Garcia (elbow) avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.875 million contract Thursday, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

It was the right-hander's first year of arbitration eligibility. Garcia underwent Tommy John surgery in May and will be on the shelf until at least around midseason.

Singer (back) agreed to a one-year contract with the Royals on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

He finished last season on the shelf with a back strain after logging a 5.52 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 133 strikeouts in 159.2 innings. Singer's 2022 season looks like an outlier at this point, and he should be locked into a rotation role for Kansas City again in 2024.