Two-time Cy Young winner Kluber retires

Kluber revealed his decision on Instagram, a posting confirmed by his agent, B.B. Abbott.

The 37-year-old right-hander, nicknamed “Klubot” for his robot-like demeanor, was 3-6 with a 7.04 ERA in nine starts and six relief appearances for Boston last year. He became a free agent after the Red Sox declined an $11 million option.

He made his last appearance on June 20, getting his first career save while giving up four runs on three homers over three innings in a 10-4 win at Minnesota. Kluber went on the injured list the next day because of right shoulder inflammation.

Kluber called his career “an indelible and unforgettable ride.”

“As I take my leave from the pitcher’s mound, my passion for baseball remains unwavering,” Kluber wrote in a statement. “I eagerly anticipate exploring opportunities to contribute to the sport in a different capacity.”

Kluber was 116-77 with a 3.44 ERA in 260 starts and 11 relief appearances over his career, striking out 1,725 and walking 368 over 1,641 2/3 innings. The three-time All-Star pitched 18 complete games, including eight shutouts.

Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Kluber played at Coppell High School in Coppell, Texas, then went to Stetson and was picked as the Atlantic Sun Conference Pitcher of the Year in 2007.

He was selected by San Diego in the fourth round of the 2007 amateur draft and dealt to Cleveland on July 31, 2010, as part of a three-team trade in which pitcher Jake Westbrook went from the Indians to St. Louis and outfielder Ryan Ludwick went from the Cardinals to San Diego.

Kluber made his big league debut in June 2011 and won his first Cy Young Award with Cleveland in 2014 after going 18-9 with a 2.44 ERA. He won another Cy Young in 2017, when he was 18-4 with a major league-best 2.25 ERA. He was 98-58 with a 3.16 ERA over nine seasons with the Indians.

Ohtani tries to blend in with Dodgers

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Shohei Ohtani walked through his new spring training clubhouse wearing a simple white T-shirt with one word “BOSS” across the front in big, dark capital letters.

The two-time Most Valuable Player might not be in charge of these Los Angeles Dodgers, but there's little doubt who commands the most attention.

The 29-year-old Ohtani gave his first interview at Camelback Ranch as a member of the Dodgers on a chilly Friday morning, surrounded by more than 50 reporters who asked questions of baseball's first and only $700 million man.

It's these kind of scenes that make it hard for Ohtani to be just one of the guys.

But he's trying.

“I'm on a brand new team, so I'm going to act like a rookie,” Ohtani said through an interpreter. “Try to get along with all the guys and teammates.”

The Dodgers had their first official workout of spring training on Friday, with pitchers and catchers reporting. Several hitters were also taking batting practice, though stars like Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman haven't yet arrived at camp. The Dodgers are the first of the 30 teams to start spring training ahead of their opener against San Diego on March 20 at Seoul, South Korea.

Ohtani's two-way superstardom is on hold for the 2024 season while he recovers from elbow surgery that will keep him off the mound. But he'll still be able to hit — and he does that quite well. The three-time All-Star hit .304 with 44 homers last season despite missing most of the final month of the season.

Former Mets GM Eppler suspended for season

NEW YORK — Former New York Mets general manager Billy Eppler was suspended through the 2024 World Series on Friday by baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred, who concluded he directed team staff to fabricate injuries to create open roster spots.

Manfred said in a statement that Eppler directed “the deliberate fabrication of injuries; and the associated submission of documentation for the purposes of securing multiple improper injured list placements during the 2022 and 2023 seasons.”

Use of the so-called “phantom injured list” is thought to be common throughout baseball, but Eppler is the first to be disciplined.

“I cooperated fully and transparently with MLB’s investigation, and I accept their decision,” Eppler said in a statement.

Eppler will not lose any salary as a result of the suspension. The Mets paid the remainder of his contract, which was set to run through the 2025 season, after he resigned last fall the same day MLB’s investigation became public.

O's Bautista has more work on elbow

BALTIMORE — Orioles closer Félix Bautista had additional work done on his pitching elbow Friday, but the team says it's not expected to change his recovery timeline from Tommy John surgery.

Bautista missed the end of last season. The Orioles said the All-Star had right elbow debridement and an ulnar nerve transposition with Dr. Keith Meister in Dallas.

Bautista went 8-2 with a 1.48 ERA and 33 saves last year. He is expected to return by the 2025 season.

BRIEFLY

PADRES: Reliever Wandy Peralta has finalized a $16.5 million, four-year contract with the San Diego Padres. The contract contains opt-outs after each of the first three seasons.

PHILLIES: Outfielder Brandon Marsh had surgery on his left knee Friday and was expected to return to play in three to four weeks. The Phillies said Marsh would be ready by opening day on March 28 at Citizens Bank Park.

BLUE JAYS: Cuban pitcher Yariel Rodríguez and the Toronto Blue Jays have finalized a $32 million, five-year contract. A 26-year-old right-hander, Rodríguez was 6-2 with a 1.15 ERA over 56 relief appearances in 2022 with the Chunichi Dragons of Japan’s Central League.

REDS: Second baseman Jonathan India and the Cincinnati Reds agreed to a two-year contract, avoiding an arbitration hearing next week for the 2021 NL Rookie of the Year. Selected fifth overall by Cincinnati in the 2018 amateur draft, India has hit .255 with 48 homers, 171 RBIs and an on-base percentage of .350 in parts of three seasons. 

BREWERS: Former Milwaukee pitching prospect Edrian Robinson was suspended for 80 games on Friday by Major League Baseball following a positive test for the performance-enhancing substance Boldenone under the minor league drug program.

TRADE: The Miami Marlins acquired right-hander Darren McCaughan from Seattle for cash on Friday after the Mariners placed him on waivers earlier in the week.