MLB Player News

Javier signed a five-year, $64 million extension with the Astros on Friday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

This could be the first of many long-term deals under new Astros general manager Dana Brown, who has seemingly convinced owner Jim Crane that it's worth locking up certain key contributors. Javier flourished with a 2.54 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 194:52 K:BB in 148.2 regular-season innings in 2022. The 25-year-old then allowed just one earned run and racked up 16 strikeouts across 12.2 postseason frames. His contract now runs through the 2027 campaign, securing all of Javier's arbitration-eligible seasons and what would have been his first two years of free agency.

Sanchez (shoulder) told Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com on Friday that he's lost about 46 pounds this offseason.

This takes "best shape of your life" to a new level, although it does raise the question of just how much weight he'd put on the last couple of years while sidelined. Sanchez hasn't pitched in a game at any level since 2020, having undergone shoulder surgeries in July of 2021 and again last October. The right-hander said Friday that he's progressed to throwing bullpen sessions and he's hoping to be part of the Marlins' Opening Day roster. That might be a stretch given how much time he's missed, but it's clear he's found another gear when it comes to his motivation. At the very least, he'll be someone to keep a close eye on this spring.

Soroka (elbow) will not play for Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic as he focuses on competing for the fifth spot in Atlanta's rotation.

Soroka hasn't made a major-league appearance since 2020 due to a pair of Achilles tears and more recently some elbow soreness. He's coming into spring training without any physical limitations but has, understandably, opted to remain in Atlanta's camp rather than pitch in the WBC. Soroka's main competition for the No. 5 spot in the rotation is Ian Anderson.

Despite an announcement Thursday that Peralta won't participate in the World Baseball Classic, the right-hander has "no injury concerns" heading into spring training, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

The 26-year-old won't play with Team Dominican Republic this spring and will instead spend the entirety of camp with the Brewers as he aims to bounce back in 2023. Peralta was limited to 78 innings last season because of lat and shoulder issues, though he was still effective with a 3.58 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and 86:27 K:BB.

Skubal (elbow) said Thursday he has advanced to flat-ground throwing, according to Chris McCosky of the Detroit News.

Skubal is currently doing around 40 throws on flat ground four times a week, and the hope is that he can get clearance to return to mound work sometime this spring. The 26-year-old left-hander is already ticketed for a season-opening stint on the IL following flexor tendon surgery last August, but he should be an option again for the Tigers around mid-2023 if there are no setbacks along the way.

Darvish and the Padres agreed Thursday to a six-year, $108 million contract extension, according to MLB.com's AJ Cassavell and Mark Feinsand.

This deal could keep Darvish in San Diego through 2028, pushing into his early-40s. Prior to the new agreement, the 36-year-old right-hander was due $18 million in 2023 with free agency looming next winter. Darvish delivered a stellar 3.10 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 197:37 K:BB across 194.2 regular-season innings (30 starts) last season for the Friars. He also registered a 2.88 ERA and 23:6 K:BB over 25 innings (four starts) in the 2022 playoffs. It's the third different six-year contract of his illustrious MLB career.

Astros general manager Dana Brown announced Wednesday that Valdez won't pitch for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Valdez and the Astros agreed to have the southpaw sit out the WBC after he pitched a career-high 201.1 innings in 2022, nearly 65 more frames than his previous career high of 134.2 set in 2021. The 29-year-old was outstanding during Houston's championship 2022 season, producing a 2.82 ERA, 194:67 K:BB and 1.15 WHIP. With Justin Verlander leaving for the Mets this offseason, Valdez should be in contention for the Astros' Opening Day nod.

General manager Matt Arnold said Wednesday that Ashby will be behind the Brewers' other starting pitchers in camp while he contends with left shoulder fatigue, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

The Brewers are going to take things easy with Ashby to start spring training, an approach that makes sense given that the southpaw battled shoulder inflammation in 2022. The 24-year-old struck out 126 batters in his 107.1 innings over 27 appearances last season, but he also walked 47 and allowed 15 homers. There's certainly upside in Ashby's arm because of his ability to miss bats, but his command along with health concerns makes him a risky proposition for the upcoming campaign.

Garcia agreed to a minor-league contract with the Astros on Tuesday that includes an invitation to major-league spring training, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Garcia posted a 3.54 ERA in four starts with the Tigers last season, though he did also issue 10 walks over his 20.1 total big-league frames. He surrendered 25 free passes in 39.1 innings of relief with Detroit in 2021, spoiling a promising showing from the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign. The 27-year-old right-hander will likely be viewed as organizational bullpen depth leading into Astros camp.

Hart signed a minor-league contract with the Phillies on Tuesday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Hart has logged only four career appearances at the MLB level, all with the Red Sox during the COVID-condensed 2020 season. The 30-year-old left-hander will probably serve as Double-A or Triple-A pitching depth for Philadelphia in 2023.