MLB Player News

Scherzer (back) said Saturday that he's about three weeks away from resuming workouts, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

Scherzer is six weeks removed from surgery to repair a herniated disc in his back and has progressed with no setbacks. The 39-year-old right-hander hopes to be ready to rejoin the Rangers' rotation by June or July, but it's a very rough timetable at this juncture.

Carrasco (finger) signed a minor-league contract with the Guardians on Saturday and received an invitation to major-league spring training, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Carrasco pitched for Cleveland between 2009-20 and will return for his second stint with the franchise after three years with the Mets. Carrasco put up a 6.80 ERA and 1.70 WHIP through 90 innings across 20 starts last season, and his campaign was cut short in September by a fractured finger. Given the strength of Cleveland's rotation, it's unlikely the 36-year-old lands a starting job, but he could operate as a multi-inning reliever for the big-league club if he turns in a solid spring.

DeGrom (elbow) said Saturday that he plans to begin throwing again in the spring, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

DeGrom didn't specify the exact date he'll start his program, but he added that he's happy with the progress he's made in his recovery. The 35-year-old righty underwent Tommy John surgery in July to repair a torn UCL in his right elbow and is projected to rejoin the Rangers late in the summer.

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.

Cease was named the White Sox's Opening Day starter on Thursday, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports.

Cease will draw his second consecutive Opening Day assignment, this time taking on the Tigers on March 28. He has frequently been mentioned in trade rumors this offseason, but for now it appears he'll remain with Chicago. Cease had a disappointing 2023 season, posting a 4.58 ERA and 1.42 WHIP to go along with a 214:79 K:BB across 177 innings.

Lorenzen threw for about 16 interested teams in California on Tuesday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

For what it's worth, Murray says Lorenzen "impressed" in the session. The veteran right-hander is coming off a productive 2023 campaign split between the Tigers and Phillies, having posted a 4.18 ERA and 111:47 K:BB over 153 innings. He's among the second-tier free-agent starting pitchers still looking for a contract.

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.

Paxton and the Dodgers are closing in on a one-year contract worth close to $12 million, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

The deal isn't official just yet, but the two sides are inching closer to a deal. If Paxton were to sign on with Los Angeles, he'd likely be asked to help shore up the back end of the Dodgers' starting rotation. The southpaw made 19 appearances in 2023 with the Red Sox after making only six starts across the 2020 and 2021 campaigns combined, turning in a 4.50 ERA and 1.31 WHIP with a 101:33 K:BB across 96 innings.