MLB Player News

Ray (elbow) will throw from 120 feet Saturday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Ray hopes to begin throwing off a mound early on in spring training and said a return around the All-Star break would be a "best-case scenario." Acquired from the Mariners via trade earlier this month, Ray underwent Tommy John and flexor tendon surgery last May. The lefty has an opt-out clause in his contract after this season, but he wouldn't commit one way or another Friday to exercising it or not, saying his main focus is just to get healthy.

Roberson signed a minor-league contract with the Padres on Thursday.

Roberson went from the Rays to the Cubs in a trade this past August, but his tenure in Chicago's organization wound up being a brief one. The 27-year-old has displayed a penchant for both strikeouts and walks, most recently fanning 49 and walking 31 over 40 innings at the Triple-A level in 2023. He has never appeared in the majors.

Allard signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Phillies on Tuesday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Allard, 26, didn't pitch after mid-July last season because of left shoulder nerve inflammation, although he presumably was given a clean bill of health prior to inking his deal with Philadelphia. The left-hander has posted a career 6.10 ERA over 69 appearances (38 starts) at the major-league level, accumulating a 204:84 K:BB across 245 innings. He does have an option remaining, so Allard could begin 2024 at Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Paxton signed a one-year, $11 million contract with the Dodgers on Tuesday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Paxton will also receive a $1 million roster bonus assuming he's on the Opening Day roster, and he can make an additional $1 million through incentives. The left-hander held a 2.73 ERA in the first half and a 6.98 ERA in the second half in 2023 with the Red Sox while battling a knee issue down the stretch. Paxton will enter spring training with a clean bill of health but remains one of the bigger starting pitcher injury risks in MLB. However, the Dodgers are apparently willing to pay for some upside if it comes with the limited risk of a one-year deal.

Cobb (hip) began a throwing program Thursday, Evan Webeck of The Mercury News reports.

Cobb played catch from 60 feet in what was his first bit of throwing since he underwent left hip surgery in October. The veteran right-hander is hopeful of rejoining the Giants' rotation prior to the All-Star break, although there's no clear timetable for him at this point. Cobb held a 3.87 ERA and 131:37 K:BB over 151.1 frames for San Francisco in 2023.

Cobb (hip) hopes to begin a flat-ground throwing program in the next few days, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Cobb underwent surgery in late October to repair a torn labrum and remove three bone chips from in his left hip. He's been keeping his arm in shape by throwing plyo balls from his knees and hopes to play catch soon. Cobb thinks he'll be able to return sooner than expected, although there's no clear timetable for when it might happen, with the right-hander saying only that "I fully expect to be back in the first half." The 36-year-old was a first-time All-Star in 2023 after posting a 2.91 ERA in the first half, but he stumbled to a 5.25 ERA after the break while dealing with nagging hip pain.

May (elbow) began a throwing program Wednesday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

May broke the news himself with a post on his Instagram account. The right-hander underwent flexor tendon surgery and a UCL revision last July and will be sidelined at least until the second half of the 2024 campaign. May holds a 3.10 ERA over parts of five seasons in the majors but has had his career sidetracked numerous times by injury.

Rogers (lat) signed a one-year contract with Miami on Thursday to avoid arbitration.

Rogers was shut down in late April due to a lat and biceps issue and was not able to take the mound again in 2023. At the close of the regular season, he had yet to throw off a mound. He should have the chance to begin the 2024 campaign healthy, but his current status is unclear.

Gallen agreed to a one-year, $10 million contract with the Diamondbacks on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Gallen is coming off of a strong 2023 season during which he posted a 3.47 ERA and 1.12 WHIP across a career-high 210 innings. He has one more year of arbitration eligibility and will remain a key member of the Arizona rotation in 2024.

Burnes signed a one-year, $15.6 million contract with the Brewers on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Burnes and the Brewers failed to agree to terms last offseason, and he openly spoke about his displeasure with the arbitration process. After another strong year in 2023, Burnes was able to reach an agreement with the club and will see a $5.5 million increase in salary. Assuming no long-term agreement is reached in the coming months, he will hit free agency following the 2024 season.