MLB Player News

The deal that has been agreed to between the Twins and pitcher Ricky Nolasco is for four years and $49 million with a club option for a fifth year, Yahoo! Sports reports.

Nolasco will receive $12 million per year over the four-year deal, and a $13-million option for 2018 includes a $1 million buyout. However, the option can vest and turn to a player option depending on how many innings Nolasco pitches in the 2016 and 2017 seasons.

Nolasco has posted six straight double-digit-win seasons, splitting 2013 between the Marlins and Dodgers and going 13-11 with a 3.70 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 165:46 K:BB ratio in 199 1/3 innings.

The Twins have reached an agreement to sign free agent starting pitcher Ricky Nolasco, as reported by SB Nation. Terms of the deal have yet to be disclosed.

Nolasco had reportedly sought and received offers for a four-year deal.

In 34 appearances (33 starts) with the Dodgers and Marlins, Nolasco posted a 13-11 record and 3.70 ERA this season.

According to ESPN.com, teams have been inquiring on Indians starting pitcher Justin Masterson, but he will probably stay put in Cleveland. Masterson is eligible to become a free agent after the 2014 season.

While the Indians are listening to offers, they are not trying to deal the 28-year-old. Masterson is coming off one of his best seasons to date, having gone 14-10 with a 3.45 ERA in 2013.

The Twins are interested in a number of pitchers, according to CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman.

The team is considering Bronson Arroyo, Ricky Nolasco, Matt Garza, Mike Pelfrey and Phil Hughes. Minnesota has reportedly offered Pelfrey a multi-year contract. The club has also inquired on some of the top tier pitchers, though it's not clear they are willing to spend the money. 

The Boston Globe reports that the Blue Jays have interest in free agent starting pitcher Ricky Nolasco. As previously reported, Nolasco has also drawn interest from the Twins, Giants, Padres and Phillies.

Nolasco has already received multiple offers, following a season in which he went 13-11 and registered his first sub-4.00 ERA since 2008, finishing with a 3.70 mark.

The Rangers announced Thursday that an MRI and doctor's examination have revealed that the nerve irritation in the back of pitcher Yu Darvish has subsided.

"Darvish will continue with a core conditioning program to strengthen his back and should be able to participate in his off-season throwing program without any issues," the team said in a press release. "He will work out in Texas for a few more days before returning to Japan."

Darvish went 13-9 with a 2.83 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and a league-leading 277 strikeouts in 209 2/3 innings last season, finishing second in the voting for the American League Cy Young award.

The Twins are going hard after free-agent pitcher Ricky Nolasco, the St. Paul Pioneer-Press reports, adding that the Padres are also pursuing the right-hander. The Phillies are also pursuing Nolasco, MLBDailyDish.com reports.

Nolasco, who grew up in Southern California, went 13-11 with a 3.70 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 165:46 K:BB ratio in 199 1/3 innings last season. He owns an 89-75 career record while pitching 7 1/2 seasons with the Marlins and the last half of 2013 with the Dodgers.

The Giants have interest in free agent starter Jason Hammel and have requested his medical records, according to a report from FOX Sports. Hammel went 7-8 with a 4.97 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP over 139 1/3 innings last season for the Orioles. 

Tigers pitcher Drew Smyly is expected to be stretched out as a starter during spring training, according to general manager Dave Dombrowski. Dombrowski told FOX Sports Tuesday that he intends on having Smyly added to the rotation next season.

Smyly owned a 2.37 ERA, a 1.04 WHIP and 81:17 K:BB ratio through 76 innings pitched last season.

FOXSports.com reports that the Rangers reached an agreement with starting pitcher Martin Perez on a four-year deal Thursday. Perez's deal also includes team options for the 2018, 2019 and 2020 seasons.

As a rookie, Perez made 20 starts for Texas, posting a 10-6 record and a 3.62 ERA.