Major League Baseball

The Oakland Athletics were given approval from Major League Baseball and the players’ association to receive revenue sharing money this year even if a binding agreement to construct a ballpark in Las Vegas was not in place by the Monday deadline specified in the sport’s collective bargaining agreement. Steve Hill, CEO and president of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, said having a framework of an agreement in place was enough to satisfy the league and the union. The Nevada Legislature approved $380 million in public financing last June for a $1.5 billion stadium on the Las Vegas Strip.

Teoscar Hernández initially was seeking a multiyear deal in a slow free-agent market, but the chance to join a powerful Los Angeles Dodgers lineup convinced him to sign a $23.5 million, one-year contract. The outfielder was an All-Star in 2021 and is hoping to get back to that level with the Dodgers. General manager Brandon Gomes says Hernández will be an everyday player and the team believes his on-base percentage will improve with all those sluggers around him. Hernández says he agreed to defer $8.5 million after the team offered him the option.

Catcher Brian Serven has been claimed by the Toronto Blue Jays off waivers from the Chicago Cubs. The 28-year-old Serven hit .130 with one RBI in 11 games for Colorado last season and batted .199 with five homers and 20 RBIs in 38 games at Triple-A Albuquerque. He was claimed off waivers from Colorado on Jan. 5, then was designated for assignment by the Cubs on Thursday when Chicago finalized its $53 million, four-year contract with left-hander Shōta Imanaga. Serven made his big league debut with Colorado in 2022, when he hit .203 with six homers and 16 RBIs in 62 games.

Outfielder Cooper Hummel has been traded from the New York Mets to the San Francisco Giants for cash. The 29-year-old was claimed by the Mets off waivers from Seattle on Dec. 1, then was designated for assignment Friday. Hummel made his major league debut with Arizona in 2022 and hit .176 with three homers, 17 RBIs and four stolen bases in 66 games. He was traded to Seattle that November for outfielder Kyle Lewis. Hummel batted .087 in 10 big league games last year and hit .262 with eight homers, 47 RBIs and 26 steals for Triple-A Tacoma.

Right-hander reliever Naoyuki Uwasawa will receive a $25,000 signing bonus as part of his minor league contract with the Tampa Bay Rays, who must pay a release fee of $6,250 to the Pacific League’s Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters. If added to the Rays’ 40-man major league roster, Uwasawa would get a $2.5 million salary while in the major leagues and a $225,000 salary while in the minors. He could earn an additional $900,000 in performance bonuses for major league innings. Tampa Bay would owe the Japanese club a supplemental fee in the amount of 15% of any additional money the pitcher earns while in the major leagues.

Another member of the Guerrero family is headed to pro ball. Vladi Miguel Guerrero, an outfielder/infielder who is a son of Hall of Fame slugger Vladimir Guerrero and a half-brother of Toronto star Vladimir Guerrero Jr., has agreed with the New York Mets on a minor league contract that includes a $117,000 signing bonus. A left-handed hitter from the Dominican Republic, the 17-year-old Guerrero was among the players the Mets reached deals with as the 2024 international signing period opened. The club also agreed with the No. 6 overall prospect, catcher Yovanny Rodriguez, for a $2.85 million signing bonus.

Houston reliever Kendall Graveman will miss the 2024 season after having surgery on his right shoulder. Astros general manager Dana Brown announced Graveman's status Tuesday. Graveman was acquired in a trade with the Chicago White Sox last July and posted a 2.42 ERA in 23 appearances for Houston. After the regular season, Graveman had soreness and could not pitch in the playoffs. He tried rest and rehab, but once he started throwing to prepare for spring training, the discomfort returned. Graveman has had 24 saves and 51 holds since 2021 with Seattle, Chicago and Houston.