MLB Player News

Oviedo (elbow) underwent Tommy John surgery Wednesday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

It was announced in late November that Oviedo would require the reconstructive elbow procedure, and the long road back to full health can now get underway. The 25-year-old right-hander is certain to miss the entire 2024 campaign.

The Red Sox acquired Slaten from the Mets on Wednesday in exchange for Ryan Ammons and cash considerations.

New York just plucked Slaten away from the Rangers in the Rule 5 Draft, but the 26-year-old right-hander is once again on the move. He registered a 2.87 ERA and 86:20 K:BB in 59.2 innings between Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock in 2023.

The Mets selected Slaten during the 2023 Rule 5 Draft on Wednesday.

Slaten spent most of last season at the Double-A level and had a 3.16 ERA and 76:16 K:BB over 51.1 innings, and he gave up just one run in his five appearances at Triple-A down the stretch. That apparently wasn't enough for the Rangers to justify adding him to the 40-man roster, allowing the Mets to select him. The 26-year-old has plenty of strikeout potential and will need to be with the big-league club for all of 2024 in order to stick in Queens.

Dorhan was selected by the White Sox in the Rule 5 Draft on Wednesday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Drohan is a lefty with a plus changeup who contributed a 5.05 ERA and 129:72 K:BB over 123 innings between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester in 2023. The White Sox figure to keep him stretched out as a starter in spring training but could wind up stashing him in long relief if he makes the roster.

Sauer was selected by the Royals in the Rule 5 Draft on Wednesday, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Sauer, 24, posted a 3.42 ERA and 83:29 K:BB over 68.1 innings at Double-A Somerset in 2023. The right-hander pitched in relief in the Arizona Fall League and it's not clear whether the Royals plan to use him as a starter or reliever.

Atlanta traded Gonzales (forearm) and cash to Pittsburgh on Tuesday in exchange for a player to be named later, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Gonzales was sent from Seattle to Atlanta as part of the Jarred Kelenic deal, but his time in Atlanta will last just 48 hours. Gonzales logged a 5.22 ERA and 1.46 WHIP over 50 innings across 10 starts last season, but his 2023 campaign was cut short by a forearm injury in May, and he underwent surgery to address the issue in August. Gonzales is expected to be ready for spring training, where he will compete for a spot in the back of Pittsburgh's rotation.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said Tuesday that Springs (elbow) has resumed throwing in the Tampa area, Steve Carney of StPeteNine.com reports.

Springs carried a lot of buzz last spring after working to a 2.46 ERA and 144:31 K:BB over 135.1 innings in 2022, but he blew out his elbow in his third start of the 2023 regular season and underwent Tommy John surgery in late April. The 31-year-old left-hander probably won't return to a major-league mound until late June or early July of 2024.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Tuesday that Cortes (shoulder) recently began a throwing program and is doing well, Brendan Kuty of The Athletic reports.

Cortes was limited to only 12 starts this season due to a left shoulder issue, making his last appearance in mid-August. An extended period of rest has evidently done him some good, and he hopes to head into spring training without any physical limitations.

The Athletics could use Miller as a closer in 2024, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

General manager David Forst mentioned using Miller out of the bullpen to start the 2024 campaign citing the flamethrower's prior health issues. The right-hander dealt with a UCL sprain in his elbow last season, which forced him to miss the majority of the year. Forst stated that the club would like to see Miller get through an entire season before thinking about building him back up as a starter, per Gallegos.

Astros general manager Dana Brown said Monday that Whitley is healthy and will report to spring training as a reliever, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Whitley didn't make an appearance at Triple-A Sugar Land after late May because of a right lat strain, but he's been throwing this offseason without issue. While the former top prospect will have a chance to win a bullpen job out of spring training, he could be sent back to Sugar Land after the Astros were awarded a fourth option year.