Right-handed reliever Joe Smith announced his retirement from professional baseball on Wednesday via Excel Baseball. Smith did not pitch at all in 2023 and had a 4.61 ERA (6.29 FIP) and 1.54 WHIP while walking nine and striking out 17 in only 27 1/3 relief innings with the Minnesota Twins in 2022. The 39-year-old veteran was originally drafted by the New York Mets in the third round in 2006 out of Wright State. He never made an All-Star team, but when it was all said and done, Smith had a pretty solid 15-year big-league career, going 55-34 with a 3.14 ERA (3.66 FIP), a 1.19 WHIP, 30 saves, 254 walks and 666 strikeouts in 726 1/3 relief innings with the Mets, Guardians, Angels, Cubs, Blue Jays, Astros, Mariners and Twins. In 2014 with the Angels, Smith had a 1.81 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and a career-high 15 saves.

The Houston Astros acquired infielder/outfielder Trey Cabbage from the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday in exchange for right-hander Carlos Espinosa. The move comes after the Angels designated Cabbage for assignment last week. The 26-year-old left-handed hitter had a great year at Triple-A Salt Lake in 2023, hitting 30 home runs and stealing 32 bases, but he went just 11-for-53 (.208) with a home run, seven RBI and 26 strikeouts in his first 56 major-league plate appearances after being called up. Despite posting a 30-30 campaign, Cabbage struck out a third of the time in the minors. He'll give the Astros some minor-league depth in 2024 at first base and in the outfield. Espinosa, 22, had a 4.29 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 26 walks and 70 strikeouts in 56 2/3 innings over 15 appearances (seven starts) in 2023 while reaching Single-A Fayetteville in his first full professional season.

The Los Angeles Dodgers lowered the guarantee in their agreement with left-hander James Paxton due to an unspecified health concern, according to sources. The one-year deal that was announced on Monday still has a maximum potential value of up to $13 million with performance and roster bonuses, but the Dodgers and Paxton's agent, Scott Boras, agreed to reduce the total guarantee from the originally reported $11 million to $7 million. The adjustment also doesn't change the Dodgers' luxury tax standing. The 35-year-old southpaw had a bounce-back season in 2023 with the Red Sox after pitching only 21 2/3 innings the previous three seasons and he still has strikeout upside when healthy, but his extensive injury history makes him only a late-round flier in fantasy for starting-pitching depth.

The Boston Red Sox have designated reliever Zack Weiss for assignment in order to clear a 40-man roster spot for Romy Gonzalez, who the club claimed off waivers from the White Sox on Wednesday. Weiss split the 2023 season between the Angels and Red Sox, working to a solid 3.21 ERA across 12 outings and 14 innings of work. His 3.95 SIERA more or less supported his solid work, but it is worth nothing he posted a minuscule .156 BABIP that will regress, while he yielded four home runs in 14 frames, good for an elevated 2.57 HR/9 clip. Weiss also posted a rough 6.03 ERA in 30 outings with the Angels' Triple-A affiliate before a move to the Red Sox a season ago. His work in the big leagues last season should generate some interest leading up to spring training.

The Boston Red Sox have claimed utility player Romy Gonzalez off waivers from the Chicago White Sox. The 27-year-old had been designated for assignment by Chicago in order to make 40-man roster space for relief pitcher John Brebbia. Gonzalez appeared in 44 games for the White Sox in 2023, hitting .194 with three home runs, seven stolen bases, and a .584 OPS across 97 trips to the plate. He struck out in a hefty 37.1% of his plate appearances and drew walks at a measly 2.1% clip. He spent the bulk of his time with the White Sox at second base but also appeared at third base, shortstop, and all three outfield spots with the club in 2023. He could battle for a utility role in Boston with Vaughn Grissom set to handle the bulk of duties at the keystone in 2024.