MLB Player News

The Astros outrighted Urquidy (elbow) on Monday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Urquidy never pitched in the majors during the 2024 regular season. He started on the 15-day injured list with a right forearm strain, and he was able to ramp up to rehab assignments in May. However, he suffered a setback during his assignment, and after further evaluation and consultations, he underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in early June. Urquidy could pitch again late during the 2025 regular season, but it will likely be with another organization that doesn't require his services at the major-league level during that campaign. He appeared in 16 games (10 starts) for the Astros during the 2023 regular season and posted a 5.29 ERA and 1.43 WHIP over 63 innings.

The Phillies outrighted Allard to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Monday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

He's no longer on the 40-man roster but will remain in the organization. Allard, 27, held a 5.00 ERA over four starts and three relief appearances with Philadelphia this season.

Cole will remain with the Yankees on the four-year, $144 million contract he had previously opted out of, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Essentially, it's as if Cole didn't even exercise the opt-out clause in his contract. Although, it's expected the two sides will continue to negotiate a contract extension, possibly tacking a year onto the end of the pitcher's current deal. Cole posted a 3.41 ERA and 1.13 WHIP across 95 innings this season following a two-month absence due to an elbow injury.

Lucchesi elected free agency Monday, Michael Mayer of MetsmerizedOnline.com reports.

The Mets booted Lucchesi from their 40-man roster and he has opted for free agency rather than accepting an outright assignment. Lucchesi holds a career 4.10 ERA and 388:137 K:BB over 394.2 innings covering parts of six big-league seasons.

The Mets extended a one-year, $21.05 million qualifying offer to Severino on Monday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Severino held a 3.91 ERA and 161:60 K:BB over 182 innings across 31 regular-season starts for the Mets in 2024. If he rejects the qualifying offer and signs a multi-year deal elsewhere, the Mets will receive a draft pick as compensation.

The Mets extended Manaea a one-year, $21.05 million qualifying offer Monday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Manaea is likely to net a lucrative, multi-year contract this offseason, and if that agreement is with another team, the Mets will recoup a draft pick. The left-hander posted a 3.47 ERA and 1.08 WHIP across 181.2 regular-season innings in 2024.

Eovaldi declined his $20 million player option for 2025, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

While that means Eovaldi is now a free agent, Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young said Monday that the club has "great interest" in re-signing the veteran right-hander. Eovaldi, who turns 35 in February, holds a 3.72 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 298:89 K:BB over 314.2 innings covering 54 regular-season starts during his two seasons with the Rangers.

Wacha agreed to a three-year, $51 million contract with the Royals on Sunday that includes a $14 million club option for 2028, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

The right-hander was expected to decline his $16 million player option for 2025, but Kansas City utilized the exclusive five-day negotiating window after the World Series to secure a new deal. Wacha was a key rotation piece for the Royals during their 2024 resurgence with a 3.35 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 145:45 K:BB over 166.2 innings.

Ray (hamstring) will not opt out of the final two years of his contract with the Giants, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Ray missed the first half of the 2024 campaign while recovering from the Tommy John procedure he underwent in May of 2023. Once he returned, he was able to make seven starts for the Giants before a strained left hamstring cut his season short in August. Because of his injury history, he likely wouldn't receive an offer in free agency close to the $50 million he's due to make over the next two years, so his decision to remain in San Francisco on his current deal is hardly a surprise. He'll aim to bounce back in 2025 after turning in a 4.70 ERA and 1.14 WHIP over 30.2 innings this past season.

Lopez signed a three-year, $30 million contract with Atlanta on Saturday.

Lopez was originally set to make $11 million in 2025 and 2026 with an $8 million club option for 2027. In an effort to minimize payroll, Atlanta will now pay him $8 million next season while his 2026 salary increases to $14 million, and he's now guaranteed to make $8 million in 2027 (compared to his $4 million option buyout). The 30-year-old posted a minuscule 1.99 ERA and 1.11 WHIP over 135.2 innings this year.