After designating him for assignment over the weekend, the Chicago White Sox have announced that Dallas Keuchel has been placed on unconditional release waivers.

Keuchel had logged 51 starts and 257 1/3 innings for the White Sox since the start of the 2020 season. He is still owed $14.1 million for the remainder of this season, making it unlikely he'll be claimed by another club.

If he clears waivers and is then released by the White Sox, another club would only be responsible for the prorated Major League minimum salary.

Carlos Martinez has been suspended 80 games by Major League Baseball after testing positive for Ibutamoren, which is in violation of Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.

Martinez, who signed a five-year contract extension with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2017, had his club option for 2022 declined after a series of rough seasons.

He signed a minor league deal with the San Francisco Giants this March, but was released in April. He landed with the Boston Red Sox, but managed just two starts for Triple-A Worcester before he was released again.

The Philadelphia Phillies have agreed to a one-year, $5.7 million deal with Zach Eflin.

Eflin receives a $5.55 million salary this year, and the deal includes a $15 million mutual option for 2023 with a $150,000 buyout. The right-hander can also earn more through performance bonuses.

The Phillies and Eflin had been scheduled for an arbitration hearing on Wednesday. He had asked for a raise from $4.45 million to $6.9 million and had been offered $5.15 million.

Willson Contreras is open to a long-term deal, but the Chicago Cubs have yet to approach the catcher about an extension.

"We're going to have to go through [an arbitration] hearing, and whatever happens there is going to happen, so it doesn't bother me at all," Contreras said. 

Contreras, 30, is set to hit free agency after this season.

Michael Conforto could sign with a Major League club after the 2022 MLB Draft in July, according to Scott Boras.

"No team will sign Michael before (the draft)," Boras said, adding several clubs have inquired in recent weeks.

Conforto had shoulder surgery last month.

He rejected the qualifying offer from the New York Mets this past offseason and is tied to draft pick compensation. That goes away after the draft.

The Boston Red Sox didn't reach an extension with Xander Bogaerts before Opening Day, but that may not preclude them from locking him up.

Before the season, Bogaerts set Opening Day as an unofficial deadline.

"I've got a season coming up in front of me and I don't want to put any of our teammates in that type of distraction," he said. "They don't deserve it.  We had time to get something done. It didn't work out."

Now, Bogaerts has left the door slightly open for more talks during the season.

"I don't know how this would work. But if they talk to [agent Scott Boras] behind closed doors and it's something that's fair, he can come to me. We'll see how that goes."

The San Diego Padres are closing in on a deal with Robinson Cano, according to sources.

Cano was designated for assignment by the New York Mets on May 2 despite having two years and $37.6 million left on his contract.

The infielder was hitting .195/.233/.268 in 41 at-bats this season.

Yusmeiro Petit and the San Diego Padres have agreed to a minor league contract.

The right-hander from Venezuela would get a $1.5 million salary while in the major leagues if added to the 40-man roster and would have the chance to earn $500,000 in performance bonuses for games pitched.