MLB Player News

Chip Hale has announced that Diamondbacks right-hander Patrick Corbin, who was enjoying a breakout season in 2013 before requiring Tommy John surgery, won't be back to action until June, per FoxSportsArizona.com.

Free agent starting pitcher Justin Masterson met with the Red Sox on Saturday, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman. He has appointments set up with the Marlins and White Sox at the winter meetings, and he could also meet with the Cubs.

The Royals, Giants, Twins and several other teams have also shown interest in Masterson.

The Cubs are bringing back starting pitcher Jason Hammel, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman. Hammel signed a two-year deal worth $18 million on Monday. The deal includes a $10 million team option and a $2 million buyout for 2016.

Hammel went 8-5 with a 2.98 ERA with the Cubs last season before he was traded to the Athletics. With the A's, he went 2-6 with a 4.26 ERA with a 1.29 WHIP over 13 appearances (12 starts).

Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels is considered a likely backup plan for the Red Sox, if they fail to sign starting pitcher Jon Lester, according to FOX Sports reporter Ken Rosenthal. Sources added it's not out of the question the Red Sox might try to acquire both players.

The Braves are seeking more for outfielder Justin Upton than they received back from the Cardinals for Jason Heyward. However, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman, rival executives believe Atlanta received "too much" in return for Heyward.

The Mariners aren't willing to part with pitcher Taijuan Walker and the Orioles won't give pitcher Kevin Gausman.

Upton is coming off a season in which he hit .270/.342/.491 with 29 home runs and 102 RBI over 566 at-bats. The 27-year-old is entering the final year of his contract and is expected to make $14.5 million in 2015 before becoming a free agent.

The Cubs are close to a deal with starting pitcher Jason Hammel, CBSSports.com baseball insider Jon Heyman reports.

Hammel posted a 8-5 record and 2.98 ERA with the Cubs last season before being traded to Oakland. He was thought to be looking for a three-year deal this offseason.

The Mariners and Dodgers were close to a deal that would have sent outfielder Matt Kemp to Seattle before the Dodgers insisted on receiving either Taijuan Walker or James Paxton in the trade, the Tacoma News Tribune reports.

This turn of events reportedly happened before the Mariners brought Nelson Cruz into the fold, making it seem less likely that the team would acquiesce to the Dodgers' demands at this point. However, the Mariners' one big need heading into the Winter Meetings remains run-producing right fielder who can bat right-handed, and if they ultimately don't wind up signing Melky Cabrera, a Kemp trade could conceivably end up back on the table at some point this offseason.

The Dodgers are not a match for Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels at the moment, according to FoxSports.com.

The price for Hamels is high, and the Phillies would want one of Joc Pederson or Corey Seager in a deal. The Dodgers, however, don't have to give up young talent in order to acquire an elite pitcher. Los Angeles is said to be looking at some of the elite starters left on the market. It appears the club will focus on the market before turning back to Hamels. 

The 30-year-old Hamels posted a 2.46 ERA over 204 2/3 innings last season. He's owed $90 million over the next four seasons.

Dodgers tendered contracts for all eight arbitration-eligible players, including agreeing to a one-year deal for Darwin Barney prior to Tuesday's midnight deadline, per the team's official website. Those players include: Catcher A.J. Ellis, closer Kenley Jansen, infielder Dee Gordon, third baseman Justin Turner, catcher Drew Butera, pitcher Juan Nicascio and newly-acquired outfielder Chris Heisey.

The Pirates have tendered a contract to 11 arbitration-eligible players prior to Tuesday's deadline, according to the team's official website. Those players include: Sean Rodriguez, Neil Walker, Francisco Cervelli, Mark Melancon, Chris Stewart, Travis Snider, Pedro Alvarez, Tony Watson, Josh Harrison, Jared Hughes and Vance Worley.