MLB Player News

Clevinger declined his $12 million mutual option withe the White Sox for 2024 on Friday.

After posting a 3.77 ERA and 1.23 WHIP across 131.1 innings in 24 starts, Clevinger will take a $4 million buyout and enter the open market. Clevinger turns 33 in December and will likely have a handful of suitors to choose from in the offseason.

Kershaw underwent surgery Friday to repair the gleno-humeral ligaments and capsule in his left shoulder, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Kershaw broke the news himself on Instagram and added that he is "hopeful to return to play at some point next summer." It's a vague timetable for the 35-year-old southpaw as he enters free agency, but at the very least this would seem to indicate he plans to continue his career rather than retire. Kershaw was effective when healthy in 2023, posting a 2.46 ERA over 24 starts, but his stuff was noticeably down late in the year, and he recorded just one out in his lone postseason outing. He's facing a long rehab and uncertainty in regard to how effective he might be if he does indeed make it back next season.

The Dodgers declined Lynn's $18 million option for 2024, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Lynn will receive a $1 million buyout instead and is now a free agent. Ardaya notes that it's still possible the Dodgers wind up re-signing Lynn, but they would do so at a lower salary. The big right-hander posted a 5.73 ERA and 191:67 K:BB over 183.2 innings in 2023, serving up a league-high 44 home runs in the process. Lynn should still have a decent market this winter from clubs viewing him as a bounce-back candidate -- from 2019 through 2022, the 36-year-old delivered a 3.42 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 10.01 K/9 over 571 innings.

Rucinski (back) had his $5 million team option for 2024 declined by the A's, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 reports.

Rucinski underwent lumbar spine surgery in August and is expected to miss part of the 2024 campaign, although a specific timeline for his return isn't clear. Given his 9.00 ERA and 6:14 K:BB over 18 innings in 2023, along with ample time missed with knee issues, Rucinski's option probably wasn't going to be exercised even if he had been healthy.

Boyd (elbow) was activated from the 60-day injured list Thursday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

This a formality as Boyd heads to free agency, as he underwent Tommy John surgery in late June. He won't be able to pitch until late in the 2024 campaign, if at all. As a result, he'll likely land a multi-year contract, giving him the chance to recover before contributing to his new club.

Lugo declined his player option for the 2024 season on Thursday, Ari Alexander of KRPC2 reports.

Lugo was set to make $7.5 million in 2024, a mark he should easily top after posting a 3.57 ERA and 1.20 WHIP across 146.1 innings last season with the Padres. Entering his age-35 season, this could be Lugo's last chance to sign a contract of significant value.

The Yankees outrighted German (personal) to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

German missed the final two months of the 2023 season after voluntarily submitting to inpatient treatment for alcohol abuse in early August. The 31-year-old right-hander has now been removed from the 40-man roster in New York and can head into free agency if he passes through waivers unclaimed.

The Mets placed Battenfield on outright waivers Thursday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Battenfield represents one of six Mets waived Thursday in an effort to clear room on the 40-man roster. The 26-year-old righty never made an appearance for New York, though he posted a 5.19 ERA and 1.33 WHIP across 34.2 frames in the majors with Cleveland.

The Brewers re-signed Rea to a one-year contract Thursday with a club option for 2025, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Rea hadn't enjoyed much major-league success prior to the 2023 season, but he proved to be a valuable -- and flexible -- member of the Milwaukee pitching staff while registering a 4.55 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 110:38 K:BB in 22 starts and four relief appearances covering 124.2 innings. The 33-year-old right-hander should be a strong consideration for the Opening Day rotation in 2024.

The Rangers removed Scherzer (back) from their World Series roster Tuesday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Scherzer had his Game 3 cut short after three innings due to back spasms, and he will now be forced to sit out the rest of the World Series. The 39-year-old was in line to start Game 7 if necessary, and it is unclear at the moment who will take his place in the rotation. Brock Burke will join the Rangers' roster in Scherzer's place to provide additional bullpen depth.