MLB Player News

Keuchel (foot) was able to begin throwing after shedding his walking boot last week and expects to pitch off the mound in early February, Jake Kaplan of The Houston Chronicle reports.

Keuchel suffered a mild left foot sprain during the team's World Series parade in early November, but remains on track to be fully healed and recovered prior to spring training. The Astros stated that the walking boot was simply a precaution, and it's obviously a positive sign that he's been able to resume his throwing progression. At this point, there should be no concerns over his availability for the 2018 campaign.

Oaks was traded to the Royals on Thursday as part of a three-team deal.

The White Sox received Oaks and minor-league infielder Erick Mejia while shipping Scott Alexander to the Dodgers and Joakim Soria to the White Sox. Oaks was bothered by an oblique injury last season but was able to compile a 3.64 ERA over 84 innings with Triple-A Oklahoma City. The 24-year-old righty will compete for a spot in the starting rotation with his new club.

Melville agreed to terms on a minor-league contract with Baltimore on Friday, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

Melville spent this past year with three different organizations, finally winding up with the Padres after starting 2017 with the Long Island Ducks of the independent ALPB and then joining the Twins on a minor-league contract in June. The 28-year-old has been largely ineffective at the major-league level since 2016, appearing in just six games but posting a combined 11.05 ERA and 2.59 WHIP with a 15:15 K:BB. He was able to provide a solid campaign at the Triple-A level last year, but it seems highly unlikely that he will make an impact in the majors any time soon.

Perez underwent surgery to repair a fracture of the radial head in his right elbow Monday and is expected to be sidelined approximately four months.

This is a tough break for Perez, though the good news is that the injury, which occurred on his ranch in Venezuela, is to his non-throwing arm. While it's possible his recovery could take less than four months, the Rangers are cautiously expecting him to miss the first two weeks of the season. The 26-year-old southpaw turned in a 4.82 ERA and 1.54 WHIP across 32 starts (185 innings) last season, and figures to assume a spot behind Cole Hamels in the Rangers' rotation when healthy.

Nicasio signed a two-year, $17 million contract with the Mariners on Wednesday, Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports.

Nicasio split time between three different organizations last year -- St. Louis, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia -- and accumulated a 2.61 ERA and 1.08 WHIP in 76 relief appearances. During those outings, he posted a 72:20 K:BB in 72.1 innings while notching six saves and 21 holds, and will look to add stability to the Mariners' bullpen in 2018. The right-hander provides flexibility, as he's shown that he can pitch in a high-leverage, late-inning role or be deployed as an inning-eating middle reliever.

The A's haven't decided if Bassitt will work as a starter or reliever in 2018, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

Bassitt worked his way back last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in May of 2016. While he initially was looking to return as a starter, a setback in his recovery forced him to finish the season in a relief role. It's possible the A's keep him in the bullpen to help preserve his arm, though that will depend on how Bassitt feels when he reports to camp.

General manager Rick Hahn said Rodon (shoulder) remains without a timetable for his return, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Hahn noted he's received encouraging reports regarding Rodon's rehab, though he wouldn't speculate on the southpaw's status for Opening Day. Things should clear up closer to spring training. The White Sox figure to play it safe with Rodon, as the 25-year-old made just 12 starts last season due to injuries. He posted a 4.15 ERA but flashed top-of-the-rotation stuff, fanning 76 batters in 69.1 innings.

Keuchel is currently sporting a walking boot as he recovers from a mild left foot sprain, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Keuchel apparently suffered the injury during the Astros' World Series parade in early November, but the diagnosis of a "mild" sprain suggests it's nothing overly serious. Additionally, the Astros are saying that the walking boot is simply precautionary and that Keuchel is expected to be ready for spring training, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

Binford agreed to a minor-league contract with the Orioles on Friday, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

Binford split time between the Royals' Triple-A and Double-A teams in 2017, but spent a majority of the time in Omaha at the highest minor-league level. During 22 appearances -- including 19 starts -- he posted a ghastly 7.24 ERA and 1.70 WHIP in 115.2 innings while sporting a 94:39 K:BB. He will likely serve as organizational depth for Baltimore, and begin the season in Triple-A Norfolk.

Scahill signed a minor-league deal with the White Sox that includes an invite to spring training, Jon Heyman of FanRagSports.com reports.

A 30-year-old journeyman, Scahill has a career 3.79 ERA in 144.2 big-league innings, but he only managed a 4.43 ERA in 22.1 innings with the Brewers last season. His career 15 percent strikeout rate is pretty awful by modern reliever standards, and he actually seems to be trending in the wrong direction (10.3 percent last year). He will serve as organizational depth and likely won't sniff any high-leverage opportunities, even if he earns a call to the majors at some point.