J.P. Howell made his 52nd appearance for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday night, also his 120th since the start of the 2014 season.

Reaching that milestone means that Howell's $6.5 million option for 2016 has now converted into a player option.

Howell's option will become official provided he doesn't end the season on the disabled list.

The Houston Astros and Dallas Keuchel have broached the topic of a contract extension.

The two sides have discussed a multi-year deal, according to Keuchel’s agent, Darek Braunecker of Frontline Athlete Management.

"This is all I've known, and it's where I want to be," Keuchel said. "I know we're in a great position for the next probably five, 10 years, and that's what it's all about, it's all about winning. Me personally, it's not about the dollar amount. It's about winning, because it doesn't last forever. I know that. So at the end of the day, I just want to win. I want one of those rings.

"With that being said, it's got to be something that's fair and that's right for both parties. I'm not trying to break the bank. I'm just out here to have fun and pitch and do the best I can."

Keuchel will have surpassed three years of service time at the end of this season.

The Colorado Rockies have released Drew Stubbs.

Colorado designated Stubbs for assignment on August 12.

Stubbs, 30, enjoyed arguably the best season of his career with the Rockies in 2014, but he opened the season with a 6-for-51 slump and was ultimately optioned to Triple-A.

During his intense contract negotiations with the New York Yankees in 2010, Derek Jeter was told by Brian Cashman that the club preferred Troy Tulowitzki at shortstop.

According to Sports Illustrated, Jeter asked Cashman whom he'd rather have playing shortstop for the Yankees.

Cashman's answer was among others, Troy Tulowitzki.

"Do you really want me to answer that?" Cashman told Jeter. "We're not paying extra money for popularity. We're paying for performance."

Jeter, who was seeking a four- to six-year deal in the area of $22 million to $24 million a year, eventually signed a three-year, $51 million extension with the Yankees.

Cashman told the New York Daily News on Wednesday that he didn't provide any quotes from Jeter's negotiations to Sports Illustrated but that he "didn't confirm or deny" the report and didn't take issue with it. He confirmed that SI spent time with him but also that the magazine talked to others and "did a lot of homework."

The Chicago Cubs have signed Trevor Cahill to a Minor League contract.

Cahill, 27, opted out of his contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers last week.

He had spent time with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Atlanta Braves previously this season.

Amid a disappointing season, the middle infield has been a rare bright spot for the Miami Marlins.

Adeiny Hechavarria and Dee Gordon have become one of the best double-play combinations in baseball. The only shortstop-second baseman duo with a higher WAR in the National League is Brandon Crawford and Joe Panik of the San Francisco Giants.

"Hechavarria and Gordon are regarded as the two most likely contract extension candidates for the Marlins when they enter the offseason. There is still plenty of games to go, but internally those two are the ones considered priorities to lock up long term," writes Joe Frisaro.

"The Marlins approached Hechavarria last offseason, but talks didn’t go very far. Now, with the shortstop about to enter arbitration, the time is right to get a deal done. Gordon, a Super 2 arbitration player, is making $2.5 million this season. He has three more seasons of arbitration, unless he agrees on a long-term deal."

The Atlanta Braves are expected to retain Mike Minor for the 2016 season.

The 27-year-old can be controlled through arbitration for two more years, but has struggled with injuries.

In his last full season, 2013, Minor posted a 3.21 ERA and 181 strikeouts in 204.2 innings.

A.J. Pollock is interested in a long-term extension with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

"I like my teammates. I like the coaches. The front office has been awesome," Pollock told the Arizona Republic. "If they talk to me, I'll obviously talk to them back."

On Friday, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports wrote that Arizona could consider signing Pollock to a long-term deal.

"He's a big, big piece of what we're trying to do," general manager Dave Stewart told Heyman.

Pollock, 27, will have over three years of service time by the end of the season, making him eligible for arbitration for the first time and putting him on pace to become a free agent after the 2018 season.

The Toronto Blue Jays has released Joba Chamberlain from his Minor League contract.

Chamberlain exercised an opt-out clause on his deal, according to a report.

The right-hander pitched 22 innings for the Detroit Tigers before being released earlier this season.

The San Diego Padres haven't ruled out re-signing Justin Upton this offseason.

Upton, who will turn 28 later this month, is hitting .253/.333/.446 with 20 home runs, 63 RBI and 18 stolen bases.

"He's definitely going to be one of the options we talk about," A.J. Preller said. "He's made a very positive impression here. We're going to sit down in the offseason and see what we can do with him."