Randy Wolf opts out of deal with Diamondbacks, signs with Marlins - MLB

UPDATE: Jayson Stark of ESPN.com reports that Wolf has immediately signed with the Marlins and will presumably step into Jose Fernandez’s vacant rotation spot.

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For the second time this season veteran left-hander Randy Wolf has opted out of a minor-league contract, asking for his release from the Diamondbacks after signing with Arizona a month ago.

Wolf previously asked to be released by the Mariners at the end of spring training despite securing a spot in their Opening Day rotation because he balked at agreeing to a 45-day release waiver request. And now the 37-year-old is a free agent again while trying to make a successful comeback from Tommy John surgery that knocked him out for all of 2013.

Wolf started six games at Triple-A for the Diamondbacks and struck out 35 batters in 34 innings, but he also walked 18 and posted a 4.50 ERA. His best shot to get back to the majors might be shifting to the bullpen.

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ST. LOUIS — Miles Mikolas is sticking with the St. Louis Cardinals.

The right-hander signed a three-year, $55.75 million contract on Friday that will carry through the 2025 season.

The new deal replaces a $68 million, four-year contract signed in February 2019 that covered the 2020-23 seasons and was set to pay $15.75 million this year.

Mikolas will receive a $5 million signing bonus payable July 1 and will make $18.75 million in 2023 and $16 million in each of the following two seasons. Mikolas can earn a $250,000 bonus for winning a Cy Young Award, $50,000 for All-Star election or selection or winning a Gold Glove, $100,000 for League Championship Series MVP and $150,000 for World Series MVP.

Mikolas is scheduled to make the second opening-day start of his big league career next Thursday when the Cardinals host Toronto. Mikolas went 12-13 with a 3.29 ERA last season while helping St. Louis to the NL Central title.

“Miles stands among the top pitchers in the game today, and has continued to provide a steady presence for us both in the rotation and inside the clubhouse,” St. Louis general manager John Mozeliak said in a statement.

Mikolas is 45-40 with a 3.79 in 143 games with San Diego, Texas and St. Louis. He recently pitched six shutout innings in two appearances for the U.S. in the World Baseball Classic.