MLB Player News

Shuster was traded from Atlanta to the White Sox on Thursday along with Michael Soroka (forearm), Braden Shewmake, Nicky Lopez and Riley Gowens in exchange for Aaron Bummer.

Atlanta cleared out spots on its 40-man roster with the move, though the exchange could also benefit Shuster. He made his big-league debut in 2023 as a spot starter and struggled to a 5.81 ERA and 1.50 WHIP with a 30:26 K:BB across 52.2 innings. Despite a track record of success in the minors, Shuster likely would have been a longshot to break camp in the majors with Atlanta as a result of his struggles, but he should have a more substantial opportunity to make a big-league impact with his new club in 2024.

Soroka (forearm) was traded from Atlanta to the White Sox on Thursday along with Jared Shuster, Braden Shewmake, Nicky Lopez and Riley Gowens in exchange for Aaron Bummer.

Soroka was placed on the injured list Sept. 6 with a forearm injury, though surgery was not required. That came after multiple Achilles injuries, which combined to limit him to only 37.2 total innings from 2020 to 2022 before being mostly healthy last season prior to the forearm issue. Soroka could push for a back-end rotation spot with the White Sox out of spring training.

The Cardinals outrighted Thomas to Triple-A Memphis on Thursday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Thomas was designated for assignment by St. Louis on Tuesday and passed through waivers unclaimed. He'll remain part of the organization -- but without a 40-man roster spot -- heading into the 2024 campaign.

The Padres selected Iriarte to their 40-man roster Tuesday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Iriarte enjoyed a breakout minor-league season in 2023, working to a 3.49 ERA with 128 strikeouts in 90.1 innings between High-A Fort Wayne and Double-A San Antonio. The 21-year-old right-hander is now protected from selection in next month's Rule 5 Draft.

The Dodgers selected Frasso to their 40-man roster Tuesday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

A fourth-round pick in the 2020 MLB Draft out of Loyola Marymount University, the now 25-year-old right-hander has compiled a 2.96 ERA with 191 strikeouts in 152 career minor-league innings. Frasso finished the 2023 campaign with Triple-A Oklahoma City and could arrive in Los Angeles at some point in 2024.

The Guardians selected Espino (shoulder) to their 40-man roster Tuesday.

Espino missed all of 2023 due to a shoulder issue which eventually led to anterior capsule repair surgery, but he ranked as one of the top pitching prospects in all of baseball before that injury arose. The 22-year-old right-hander appears on track to return to live games around the middle of the 2024 campaign.

Quantrill was designated for assignment by the Guardians on Tuesday.

Qunatrill was a reliable member of Cleveland's starting rotation between 2021-22 before stumbling to a 5.24 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 58:35 K:BB over 99.2 innings in 2023. The 28-year-old right-hander can elect free agency if he passes through waivers unclaimed and would actually probably do quite well for himself in this pitching-thin market.

The Giants added Teng to their 40-man roster Tuesday.

Teng split time between Double-A Richmond and Triple-A Sacramento last season, putting up a 4.42 ERA and 1.36 WHIP through 126.1 combined innings. Teng needs to work on his command before he can be relied on in the majors. but his impressive strikeout numbers warrant protection from the upcoming Rule 5 Draft.

The Cubs selected Hodge to their 40-man roster Tuesday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Hodge struggled in his first year at Double-A, posting a 5.13 ERA and 1.41 WHIP across 80.2 frames, but the Cubs will give him a roster spot to prevent other teams from selecting him in next month's Rule 5 Draft. The 22-year-old right-hander will likely return to Double-A Tennessee to begin 2024.

The Red Sox selected Gonzalez to their 40-man roster Tuesday, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

The 21-year-old right-hander worked to a 3.96 ERA and 168:70 K:BB over 111.1 innings (25 starts) this past season between High-A Greenville and Double-A Portland. Gonzalez needs to rein in his command, but the raw swing-and-miss stuff is certainly enticing and he is now protected from being plucked away by another organization in next month's Rule 5 Draft.