Watkins announced his retirement from professional baseball Monday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

EDGE Analysis

Watkins -- who pitched with the TSG Hawks of the Chinese Professional Baseball League in Taiwan in 2025 -- plans to become a sports agent. He posted a career 5.97 ERA over 40 appearances (31 starts) covering parts of three major-league seasons.

Watkins has signed a one-year contract with the TSG Hawks of the Chinese Professional Baseball League in Taiwan, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

EDGE Analysis

Watkins, 32, spent all of the 2024 season at Triple-A Rochester in the Nationals organization, collecting a 4.56 ERA. He's put up a 5.97 ERA and 102:51 K:BB over 164.1 innings covering parts of three major-league seasons.

Watkins agreed to terms with the Nationals on Sunday, per his agency, Gaeta Sports Management.

EDGE Analysis

Watkins was initially expected to sign with a KBO team for the 2024 season, but he'll remain in MLB as part of the Nationals. He's made 40 appearances (31 starts) between the Orioles and Athletics in the majors over the past three seasons, posting a 5.97 ERA and 1.53 WHIP in 164.1 innings.

Watkins is signing with a team in the Korea Baseball Organization, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Watkins made just one major-league appearance in 2023 with Oakland and leaves behind a career 5.97 ERA and 1.53 WHIP across 164.1 total big-league frames. Maybe the 31-year-old right-hander can find more success overseas.

Watkins elected free agency Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Watkins made one appearance for the Athletics in 2023 but spent the bulk of the year in the minors with three different organizations. Because of his service time, he had the ability to elect free agency and look for a new landing spot.

Oakland outrighted Watkins to Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday, Melissa Lockard of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Watkins was lit up in his lone major-league appearance for the Athletics this season, yielding five earned runs over 4.1 innings in an Aug. 15 start at St. Louis. The 31-year-old right-hander is officially off the 40-man roster.

Watkins will start for the Athletics on Tuesday in St. Louis, Jessica Kleinschmidt of The Comeback reports.

EDGE Analysis

It had been Freddy Tarnok's turn, but he's gone down with a calf injury. Watkins was claimed off waivers a week ago and this will be his first start in the majors in 2023. He holds a career 5.85 ERA over 39 appearances -- 30 starts -- at the major-league level.

Watkins was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Watkins was assigned to Triple-A Las Vegas after being claimed off waivers by the A's last week, but he is now set to receive his first big-league opportunity with his new club. It's unclear what role he will fill, but he has started 11 Triple-A games this season, so he looks like the leading candidate to replace the injured Freddy Tarnok (undisclosed) in Oakland's rotation.

The Athletics claimed Watkins off waivers from the Astros on Tuesday, Jessica Kleinschmidt of The Comeback reports.

EDGE Analysis

Watkins had been designated for assignment by Houston and will remain in the AL West, although he'll report to Triple-A Las Vegas for the time being. The 30-year-old has posted an 8.35 over 14 appearances -- 11 starts -- at the Triple-A level this season.

The Astros designated Watkins for assignment Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Watkins was the casualty from the 40-man roster with the Astros needing to clear a spot for right-hander Jose Urquidy (shoulder), who was activated from the 60-day injured list in advance of his scheduled start Sunday against the Yankees. After the Astros acquired him from the Orioles on June 23, Watkins pitched exclusively at Triple-A Sugar Land, where he produced a 9.74 ERA and 2.21 WHIP in 20.1 innings over six outings.