MLB Player News

The Royals and Hernandez avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.16 million contract Thursday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

It was the second year of arbitration eligibility for Hernandez, who posted a 3.30 ERA and 27:16 K:BB across 30 regular-season innings during 2024. The righty has teased with his big fastball but has shown no indication to this point that he can be consistently relied upon.

The Royals and Harvey avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.7 million contract Thursday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Harvey dealt with back problems last season, which limited him to just six appearances after the Royals acquired him via trade. He enters spring training healthy and should be a key setup man if he can stay off the injured list.

The Royals and Bubic avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3 million contract Thursday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Bubic thrived in relief in 2024 in his first full year back from Tommy John surgery, holding a 2.67 ERA and 39:5 K:BB over 30.1 regular-season frames. The lefty will be stretched out in spring training as the Royals consider him for their rotation.

The Mariners and Thornton avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2 million contract Thursday, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Thornton has turned into a quality reliever for the Mariners, collecting a 3.20 ERA and 98:24 K:BB over 98.1 frames since being acquired from the Blue Jays in 2023. The right-hander is slated for a middle relief role again in 2025.

The Mariners and Kirby avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $4.3 million contract Thursday, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

It's a substantial raise for Kirby, who was eligible for arbitration for the first time as a Super 2 qualifier. The right-hander collected a 3.53 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 179:23 K:BB over 191 innings covering 33 starts for Seattle in 2024.

The Mariners claimed Jay off waivers from the Brewers on Thursday.

Jay had been designated for assignment and has now found a new home. The left-handed reliever made it to the majors at 30 for the first time in 2024, allowing five runs (four earned) over five appearances between the Mets and Brewers.

Anderson agreed to a one-year, $900,000 contract with the White Sox on Thursday, avoiding arbitration.

Anderson returned to the majors for the first time in five years last season, finishing 2024 with a 4.39 ERA and 1.50 WHIP across 53.1 frames. While his numbers don't exactly jump off the stat sheet, the right-hander's experience could allow him to be one of the White Sox's go-to options in high-leverage situations, as Chicago projects to have a very young and thin bullpen.

Pena agreed to a one-year, $4.1 million contract with the Astros to avoid arbitration Thursday, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Pena will receive a nice raise in his first year of arbitration eligibility after serving as Houston's primary shortstop since making his debut in 2022. The 27-year-old posted 15 home runs and 20 stolen bases with a .266/.308/.394 slash line over 157 games in the 2024 regular season.

Clement agreed to a one-year, $1.975 million contract with the Blue Jays on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

In his first full major-league season, Clement slashed .263/.284/.408 with 12 home runs and 51 RBI over 452 plate appearances while also swiping 12 bags. The 28-year-old doesn't have any minor-league options remaining, so he remains in a good position to open the season as either the primary third baseman or utility player.

Gilbert agreed to a one-year, $7.625 million contract with the Mariners on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

The right-hander led MLB with 208.2 innings last season and had a 3.23 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 220:37 K:BB as he made a career-high 33 starts. Gilbert picked up just nine wins despite his strong performance, but he has quickly established himself as one of the more reliable pitchers in baseball with a 3.60 ERA in 121 starts through his first four big-league seasons.