MLB Player News

Athletics manager Mark Kotsay indicated Friday that the club is looking to sign Rooker (forearm) to a contract extension, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Kotsay was talking to reporters about the recent signing of Luis Severino and noted of Rooker that the team is "hopeful to get something done" with the 30-year-old that would show the Athletics are moving in a new direction in regard to "making commitments to players." Rooker is projected to make around $5 million in his first year of arbitration eligibility this offseason and is under team control through 2027. Athletics general manager David Forst said in November that he did not expect to trade Rooker, and the news that the club is looking to extend him instead certainly backs up that line of thinking. Rooker underwent right forearm extensor surgery but is expected to be ready for the start of spring training.

The Angels signed Hudson to a minor-league contract Monday, Aram Leighton of Just Baseball reports.

Hudson posted an ugly 6.17 ERA in 18 starts this past season for the Rockies. The 30-year-old holds a 5.08 ERA and 1.53 WHIP since the start of the 2022 season and seems likely to begin the 2025 campaign as rotation depth at Triple-A Salt Lake.

Sanchez signed a one-year, $8.5 million contract with the Orioles on Saturday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Sanchez spent the 2024 season with the Brewers and was a decent source of power, popping 11 homers and maintaining a .172 ISO across 280 plate appearances. He should be locked into the backup job behind the plate while also potentially picking up a few extra starts at designated hitter.

O'Neill signed a three-year, $49.5 million contract with the Orioles on Saturday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

O'Neill enjoyed a resurgent campaign after moving to Boston in 2024, slashing .241/.336/.511 with 31 home runs and 61 RBI across 473 regular-season plate appearances. Much of the 29-year-old's success came versus southpaws, against whom he posted a 1.179 OPS in 156 trips to the plate. Now in Baltimore, O'Neill could slot in primarily at DH given his limited range and injury history while occasionally taking over in the corner outfield for Colton Cowser or Heston Kjerstad against left-handed starters.

Houser signed a minor-league contract with the Rangers on Saturday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

After posting a career-worst 5.84 ERA and 1.53 WHIP over 69.1 innings, Houser was cut by the Mets in late July. He spent time with the Orioles' and Cubs' Triple-A affiliates to finish off the regular season and will now head to Texas on his third minor-league contract in four months. Barring a significant turnaround, the 31-year-old righty will likely fill in as organizational depth at Triple-A Round Rock.

Bieber (elbow) agreed to a one-year, $14 million contract with the Guardians on Friday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Bieber's new deal also includes a $16 million player option for 2026. The 29-year-old righty was dominant in two starts last season, pitching 12 shutout innings while striking out 20 batters and walking one against the A's and Mariners, but his campaign was cut short by Tommy John surgery in mid-April. He's expected to miss the first couple months of the 2025 season while he finishes up his rehab, but the 2020 AL Cy Young Award winner could be a strong fantasy asset once he returns.

The Orioles outrighted Ward to Triple-A Norfolk on Friday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Ward was plucked off waivers from the Nationals in November. He is no longer on the Orioles' 40-man roster but will remain in the organization. The right-hander held a 5.64 ERA and 107:94 K:BB over 119.2 innings with Triple-A Rochester in 2024.

The Rays agreed to a one-year, $8.5 million contract with Jansen on Friday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Murray notes that Jansen turned down multi-year offers from other teams, preferring to bet on himself on a one-year pact after a down 2024 campaign which saw him put up a .658 OPS over 92 games between the Blue Jays and Red Sox. Injuries have been a problem for Jansen, whose career high in games (107) and plate appearances (384) was established back in 2019. However, he's been an above-average offensive catcher for most of his career, particularly from 2021-23 when he put up an .805 OPS.

Garcia (elbow) is expected to be ready for the start of spring training, MLB.com reports.

Garcia reported soreness in his right elbow while playing catch recently and an MRI revealed bone chips, which he had surgically removed Thursday. The Royals are calling the procedure "minor" and do not expect the infielder's availability for the beginning of spring training to be impacted. Garcia slashed .231/.281/.332 with seven home runs and 37 stolen bases for Kansas City during the 2024 regular season.

Garcia underwent surgery to remove bone spurs from his right elbow Thursday, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.

Garcia didn't spend any time on the injured list in 2024 and was available throughout the postseason, leaving it unclear when he suffered the injury. The Royals haven't commented as to whether Garcia's recovery will cost him any time during spring training or even regular season contests.