MLB Player News

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.

The Mariners outrighted McGee (elbow) to Triple-A Tacoma on Tuesday.

McGee underwent Tommy John surgery this past May and will likely be sidelined until July or August of 2024. The 25-year-old right-hander has made only two career appearances at the major-league level.

Heaney will start Game 4 of the World Series against the Diamondbacks on Tuesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Heaney should be relatively fresh heading into Tuesday's matchup after last taking the mound in Game 2 on Saturday. He recorded two outs and surrendered one hit on six pitches. However, his last postseason start resulted in a disaster, as he gave up three runs on four hits and one walk in 0.2 innings during Game 4 of the ALCS versus Houston.

Scherzer said after Monday's 3-1 victory over the Diamondbacks in the World Series that his start was cut short due to a back spasm, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.

Scherzer, who scattered two hits and two walks over three scoreless innings before exiting in the top of the fourth inning, noted that he's experienced the same issue in the past with varying outcomes. More specifically, Scherzer relayed that he's been able to overcome bouts with back spasms in 48-to-72 hours, and other instances where it's taken far longer to return to normal. The Rangers will keep a close eye on the veteran right-hander over the next few days to determine whether another appearance in the World Series is a possibility, though time is certainly not on Scherzer's side.

Cobb will undergo left hip surgery Tuesday, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Cobb has been attempting to rehab his hip injury without going under the knife, but the team has since announced that he'll undergo a procedure Tuesday to repair his labrum and hip impingement issues, per Shea. The right-hander is expected to need around six months to return to the mound, meaning he'd miss at least the first month of the 2024 campaign. The Giants were expected to pick up his $10 million club option for the upcoming season, though this setback will certainly complicate the organization's decision.