Chen has signed a contract with the independent league Long Island Ducks.

EDGE Analysis

Chen is now 38 and didn't play anywhere in 2023 after pitching in Japan in 2021 and 2022. The left-hander hasn't appeared in the majors since 2019 and is certainly a long shot to ever do so again, but he's not yet ready to call it quits.

Chen signed a contract with the Hanshin Tigers of Nippon Professional Baseball on Friday, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran southpaw was cut by the Mariners before the 2020 season in July and eventually joined the Chiba Lotte Marines of NPB in September. Chen had a 2.42 ERA over 26 innings for the Marines and will continue his career in Japan with the TIgers.

The Chiba Lotte Marines of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball announced Monday that Chen signed a contract with the team.

EDGE Analysis

Chen's time in MLB looks to be over after he posted a 6.59 ERA and 1.54 WHIP over 45 relief appearances with the Marlins in 2019 and then failed to win a spot on Seattle's Opening Day roster during summer camp. The 35-year-old southpaw proved to be a massive disappointment after signing a five-year, $80 million contract with Miami in January 2016, but he turned in four solid seasons as a member of Baltimore's rotation prior to landing the massive deal.

The Mariners released Chen on Saturday, Andersen Pickard of MLBDailyDish.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Chen posted a solid two-inning outing all the way back in late February, but even a likely six-man rotation to open the season apparently won't do enough to keep him in uniform with the club when the regular season opens. Chen tossed 68.1 relief innings to poor results with the Marlins last year and may have a tough time finding a home for the start of 2020.

Chen fired two scoreless innings in a Cactus League win over the Reds on Wednesday, allowing two hits and recording no walks or strikeouts.

EDGE Analysis

Chen arrived in late January on a minor-league contract and remains an option for back end of the starting rotation, although he'll likely have to outperform fellow veteran Kendall Graveman to secure a spot. Chen could certainly also fill a multi-inning role out of the bullpen, where he operated exclusively for the Marlins last season and generated a career-worst 6.59 ERA and 1.54 WHIP across 45 appearances.

Chen signed a minor-league contract with the Mariners on Thursday, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports. The deal includes an invitation to spring training.

EDGE Analysis

Chen joins the Mariners after being designated for assignment by the Marlins following the 2019 campaign. The veteran southpaw transitioned to a bullpen role last season but struggled to a 6.59 ERA and 1.54 WHIP in 68.1 innings.

Chen was released by the Marlins on Monday, Andersen Pickard of MLBDailyDish.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Chen was designated for assignment Wednesday, and after going unclaimed on waivers, he'll head to the open market, where he's unlikely to draw much interest.

Chen was designated for assignment by the Marlins on Wednesday, Andersen Pickard of MLBDailyDish.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

This was a pretty big statement by the Marlins, as they paid Chen $22 million to go away so that they could protect one more prospect from the Rule 5 draft. He had a 6.59 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 63 strikeouts in 68.1 innings last season. His MLB career is likely over.

Chen gave up a hit and a walk while striking out three over two scoreless innings of relief in the first game of Monday's doubleheader against the Mets.

EDGE Analysis

The left-hander continues to be used in low-leverage spots -- the Marlins were down 6-2 when he entered Monday's matinee -- but Chen has actually been effective recently in that role, posting a 2.25 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 13:2 K:BB through 12 innings over his last seven appearances. The 34-year-old's overall numbers on the year are still bleak, however, and his lack of fantasy upside should keep him far away from most rosters.

Chen has posted a 4.50 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 11:2 K:BB through 12 innings of relief in June, recording two holds in nine appearances.

EDGE Analysis

It may not seem like much, but those numbers are a huge improvement for the veteran lefty on his first two months of the season as he transitions to a bullpen role. Chen is the highest-paid Marlin left on the roster -- he's earning $20 million this year and has another two seasons and $38 million left on his deal afterwards -- so if he can continue to find some success as a middle reliever or setup man, the team might just be able to find a taker for him by the trade deadline.