MLB News Blog

The Washington Nationals have declined their $10 million option on outfielder Austin Kearns and are paying a $1 million buyout, presumably ending his disappointing tenure with the team. The 29-year-old Kearns hit only .195 with three homers and 17 RBIs in 174 at-bats this season, when he was hampered by a thumb problem.

Manny Ramirez is coming back to the Dodgers next season. The team said Friday that the slugger exercised his $20 million contract option for 2010. His agent Scott Boras informed general manager Ned Colletti of the decision, which Ramirez had until this month to make. He could have exercised an out clause in the two-year, [...]

The Colorado Rockies have declined their part of mutual options on catcher Yorvit Torrealba and left-hander Alan Embree, and they both filed for free agency. Torrealba receives a $500,000 buyout instead of a $4 million salary, and Embree gets a $250,000 buyout instead of a $3 million salary. The 31-year-old Torrealba came up big for [...]

Los Angeles Angels general manager Tony Reagins has agreed to a long-term contract extension. The Angels have won the AL West in both of his years as GM. Reagins received the extension Friday. The 42-year-old Reagins succeeded Bill Stoneman in October 2007 after six seasons as the Angels' director of player development.

The New York Mets have declined an option on reliever J.J. Putz, making him eligible for free agency. Putz was due to make $9.1 million in 2010. Instead, the Mets decided Friday to pay him a $1 million buyout. Putz was 1-4 with two saves and a 5.22 ERA in his first season with New [...]

The Philadelphia Phillies have picked up Cliff Lee's $9 million option for 2010. The team announced the expected move on Friday, two days after losing the World Series to the New York Yankees. Lee's contract expires after next season, though general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said the team is open to signing the star left-hander [...]

The Washington Nationals say No. 1 overall draft pick Stephen Strasburg has a strained neck muscle and is being scratched from his scheduled start in the Arizona Fall League Rising Stars game. The team says the right-hander is being held out of Saturday's game for precautionary reasons. The Nationals are listing Strasburg's status as day [...]

The Washington Nationals say No. 1 overall draft pick Stephen Strasburg has a strained neck muscle and is being scratched from his scheduled start in the Arizona Fall League Rising Stars game. The team says the right-hander is being held out of Saturday's game for precautionary reasons. The Nationals are listing Strasburg's status as day [...]

The Chicago White Sox picked up Mark Teahen in a trade from the Kansas City Royals on Friday, getting a new third baseman in exchange for infielders Chris Getz and Josh Fields and cash considerations. Teahen batted .271 with a 12 home runs and 50 RBIs in 144 games with the Royals in 2009. He [...]

The Chicago White Sox picked up Mark Teahen in a trade from the Kansas City Royals on Friday, getting a new third baseman in exchange for infielders Chris Getz and Josh Fields and cash considerations. Teahen batted .271 with a 12 home runs and 50 RBIs in 144 games with the Royals in 2009. He [...]