MLB

The Braves announced they’ve signed outfielder Abraham Almonte to a non-guaranteed major league contract. Additionally, pitchers Mike Soroka, Jeremy Walker and Phil Pfeifer have been reinstated from the 60-day injured list, while utilityman Charlie Culberson cleared outright waivers and elected free agency. More to come.

The Phillies announced they’ve declined their $4.5MM club option on right-hander David Phelps. He’ll receive a $250K buyout and hit free agency. The Phillies also declined their $7MM option on fellow reliever Héctor Neris, although he remains on the roster as an arbitration-eligible player.…

The Orioles announced they’ve claimed infielder Yolmer Sánchez off waivers from the White Sox. That brings Baltimore’s 40-man roster tally to 33 players. More to come.

The Pirates have claimed catcher Michael Pérez off waivers from the Rays, reports Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times (via Twitter). Fellow catcher Kevan Smith and right-handers Andrew Kittredge and Chaz Roe each cleared waivers and elected free agency. Pérez has hit .221/.286/.314 in 228…

The Blue Jays have declined their $9.5MM club option on right-hander Chase Anderson, reports Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet (Twitter link). He’ll receive a $500K buyout and hit free agency. More to come.

As expected, Steve Cohen has gotten the approval of at least 23 MLB owners in his bid to purchase the Mets, reports Jon Heyman of MLB Network (Twitter link). Cohen will take over 95% of the franchise from the previous ownership group,…

As anticipated, the Phillies will decline their $12MM club option on reliever David Robertson, reports Mark Feinsand of MLB.com (Twitter link). The veteran righty will instead be bought out for $2MM. This marks the end of a union that didn’t at all go…

12:02 pm: The Tigers have announced Hinch’s hiring on a “multi-year” contract. 12:01 pm: The Tigers are expected to officially announce the hiring of A.J. Hinch as the club’s manager by the end of the day, hears Jon Morosi of MLB Network (Twitter…

The Brewers are declining their $2.55MM club option on outfielder Ben Gamel, reports Jon Heyman of MLB Network (Twitter link). The 28-year-old remains eligible for arbitration, however, having accrued just three-plus years of MLB service. Arbitration figures are harder than ever to pin…

The Rays are not going to exercise their club options on right-hander Charlie Morton or catcher Mike Zunino, vice president of baseball operations Erik Neander told reporters (including Juan Toribio of MLB.com and Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times). Morton’s option was valued…