MLB News
Reds Place Julian Aguiar On 60-Day Injured List
To make room on the 40-man roster for newly-acquired right-handed reliever Scott Barlow, the Cincinnati Reds placed right-hander Julian Aguiar (elbow) on the 60-day injured list on Thursday. The move to put Aguiar on the 60-day IL was only a matter of time after he had Tommy John surgery in October of last year. The 23-year-old reliever will miss the entire 2025 season as a result. The former 12th-round selection in the 2021 MLB draft out of Cypress College made his major-league debut with Cincinnati in 2024 and made seven starts, going 2-1 with a 6.25 ERA (6.86 FIP) and 1.33 WHIP with 19 strikeouts and 12 free passes issued in 31 2/3 innings pitched. Aguiar will continue to rehab in 2025 and hope to come to spring training in 2026 without any restrictions.
3 hours ago
Graham Ashcraft Throws To Live Hitters
Cincinnati Reds right-hander Graham Ashcraft (elbow) was seen throwing a live batting practice session at spring training on Thursday. A right-elbow strain prevented Ashcraft from pitching in the second half of the 2024 season for the Reds, but he appears to be recovered from that injury and a full-go in camp. The 27-year-old is going to have to pitch much better than he has the last three seasons in Cincinnati if he wants to earn a rotation spot on Opening Day, especially after the Reds acquired Brady Singer from the Royals this offseason. Ashcraft started the year with a 5.05 ERA and 1.46 WHIP in his first 12 starts, so the Reds sent him to the minors. He's produced an unattractive 4.91 ERA and 1.42 WHIP with a well below-average 16.6% strikeout rate and 7.6% walk rate in his three seasons in Cincy with no evidence of a turnaround coming.
3 hours ago
Dedniel Nunez Healthy At Spring Training
New York Mets right-handed reliever Dedniel Nunez (forearm), who missed all of the second half in 2024 with a strained right flexor tendon, was hitting 96 mph during a team-supervised live batting practice session in the Dominican Republic this winter. According to MLB.com's Anthony DiComo, the Mets consider Nunez a healthy player at the start of spring training this week. The 28-year-old reliever is still a bit of a health risk entering the 2025 campaign, but he looked pretty darn good for the Mets in his MLB debut last year with a 2.31 ERA (2.22 FIP), a 0.91 WHIP, his first career save, nine holds, 48 strikeouts and only eight walks in 35 relief innings in the first half. If he can stay healthy in 2025, Nunez figures to be in line to see plenty of high-leverage work in the late innings for New York as a top setup man for closer Edwin Diaz.
3 hours ago
Jordan Montgomery Dealing With Finger Strain
Arizona Diamondbacks left-hander Jordan Montgomery (finger) underwent imaging for a left index-finger strain, but he said the plan is for him to throw again in a couple of days. "It seems like it's fairly mild. He doesn't seem overly concerned by it... We'll manage as we go," executive vice president and general manager Mike Hazen said. It was revealed that Montgomery dropped 20-25 pounds in the offseason after a very disappointing first year in Arizona in 2024, but the 32-year-old southpaw will be slightly behind at the start of camp due to his finger injury. It shouldn't keep him from being ready for Opening Day in late March, but it's just something else that will turn fantasy managers off to Montgomery as he looks for a bounce-back campaign. With low strikeout totals in his career and a drop in velocity last year, fantasy managers should be avoiding him in mixed leagues this spring.
4 hours ago
River Ryan Lands On 60-Day Injured List
The Los Angeles Dodgers placed right-hander River Ryan (elbow) on the 60-day injured list on Thursday to make room on the 40-man roster for left-hander Clayton Kershaw (knee, toe), who is also expected to open the 2025 regular season on the 60-day IL. The move with Ryan was fully expected this spring after he underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow last August. The 26-year-old hurler made his big-league debut last season with L.A. but made only four starts, allowing just four runs (three earned) on 15 hits (one homer) while striking out 18 and walking nine in 20 1/3 innings pitched. The converted infielder was impressive in his small stint with the Blue, but he won't be an option for their starting rotation again until the 2026 season.
4 hours ago
Clayton Kershaw Expects To Open Season On 60-Day Injured List
Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw (knee, toe) said he expects to open the 2025 regular season on the 60-day injured list, but his timetable will likely line up for him to be ready to roll once the 60 days are up. Kershaw recently re-signed with the Blue on a one-year, $7.5 million deal that will likely be his final season before retirement. The 36-year-old future Hall of Famer had surgeries on both his knee and toe in the offseason and remains in recovery with spring training kicking off this week. He's been throwing on flat ground, but it remains to be seen when he'll throw off a mound, and the Dodgers have no reason to rush him along. The three-time Cy Young winner and former MVP had a 4.50 ERA and 1.50 WHIP with 24 K's and nine walks in his seven starts in 2024 and is no longer a must-roster player in fantasy leagues due to the injuries that have mounted in recent years.
4 hours ago
Andre Pallante Wins Arbitration Case Against Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Andre Pallante won his salary arbitration hearing against the team on Thursday, according to a source, and will earn $2.1 million this year. The Cardinals filed at $1.925 million when figures where exchanged. The 26-year-old struck out a career-high 94 hitters in just 121 1/3 innings over 29 appearances (20 starts) for the Red Birds in his third year in the big leagues, but thanks to a strong ground-ball rate and the ability to induce weak contact, he posted a decent 3.78 ERA (3.71 FIP) and 1.30 WHIP in 2024. A new sinker that he added going into last year surprisingly made him more effective as a starter for the Cardinals than as a reliever. Pallante should be locked into a starting rotation spot in St. Louis to begin the 2025 season, but he's outside of the top-100 fantasy starting pitchers because of his below-average strikeout rate (18.5%).
4 hours ago
Nolan Arenado Likely To Stay With Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said on Thursday that third baseman Nolan Arenado is likely to remain with the team after the organization tried to trade him all offseason. "(Nolan Arenado) is likely going to be a part of our club at this point," Mozeliak said. The Cards had a deal in place with the Houston Astros in December, but Arenado, who has a full no-trade clause, turned it down. The Boston Red Sox were another suitor for the 33-year-old, but after signing Alex Bregman on Wednesday night, they are out of the picture. At least to open up the 2025 season, Arenado will be at third for St. Louis, with Nolan Gorman staying at second and Brendan Donovan primarily playing the outfield. The eight-time All-Star has seen his power decline in the last two seasons in St. Louis, and he's no longer a top-15 fantasy third baseman based on RotoBaller's 2025 rankings.
4 hours ago
Jonathan Loaisiga Targeting End Of May
New York Yankees right-hander Jonathan Loaisiga (elbow) said he is targeting an end of May/beginning of June return this year, according to the New York Daily News' Gary Phillips. Loaisiga hasn't been able to escape elbow issues the last two years and tore his right UCL early last year. However, the 30-year-old veteran didn't need a full Tommy John procedure and could return to the Yankees at the tail end of the first half of the season, barring any setbacks in his recovery. The Nicaraguan hurler has only appeared in 20 games out of the bullpen the last two years for the Yankees because of his injuries, although he could play a key middle-relief role in the Bronx in the second half in 2025 if he's healthy. Loaisiga has pitched in high-leverage spots for the Yankees in the past, although his lack of strikeout upside doesn't make him all that attractive in deep fantasy leagues.
5 hours ago
Marcus Stroman Hasn't Reported To Camp
New York Yankees right-hander Marcus Stroman has yet to report to spring training. Stroman technically doesn't have to report to camp until Feb. 22, but his absence is noteworthy with the rest of the team's pitchers and catchers having reported. The 33-year-old could be making a statement after the Yankees moved him to the bullpen late last year and then signed lefty Max Fried to an eight-year deal in the offseason. As things stand now, Stroman will likely be on the outside looking in for a rotation spot if New York rolls with a five-man rotation to start the 2025 season. In his first year in the Bronx, Stroman went 10-9 with a 4.31 ERA (4.62 FIP), 1.47 WHIP and 113:60 K:BB in 154 2/3 innings over 30 outings (29 starts). His strikeout rate fell to a career-worst 16.7% and also saw his velocity dip. A rebound at his age is unlikely, especially if he's relegated to a long-relief role.
5 hours ago
Rangers Could Use Cody Bradford In Relief Role
Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said it's hard to envision a scenario where a healthy left-hander Cody Bradford doesn't have a role on the team in 2025. Bradford is preparing as a starter in spring training, but Bochy said the Rangers could also give him a role out of the bullpen, where he's pitched well. Texas is leaving their options open with the 26-year-old southpaw after he went 6-3 with a solid 3.54 ERA (3.59 FIP) and 1.01 WHIP with 70 strikeouts and only 13 walks in 76 1/3 innings over 14 appearances (13 starts) in his second big-league season in 2024. The former sixth-round pick in the 2019 MLB draft out of Baylor University could have been even better last year if not for suffering a stress fracture in his rib cage. Bradford relies on pinpoint control and inducing weak contact, which makes him less attractive in fantasy, but that could change if he's move to the bullpen and sees save chances.
5 hours ago
Jon Gray Throws First Bullpen Session On Thursday
Texas Rangers right-hander Jon Gray (foot) threw his first bullpen session of spring training on Thursday. A neuroma in Gray's foot caused him to finish last year on the injured list, but by all accounts, he had a normal offseason and should be a full-go for spring training. The 33-year-old veteran appeared in 23 games (19 starts) in 2024 in his third year in Texas, going 5-6 with a 4.47 ERA (3.70 FIP), 1.31 WHIP, 86 strikeouts and 28 walks in 102 2/3 innings pitched. The Rangers lost both relief pitchers Kirby Yates, David Robertson and Jose Leclerc to free agency in the offseason, and they've mentioned Gray as a potential closing option in 2025, which would drastically affect his fantasy value. Even if Gray sticks as a starter, he should be ranked outside the top-100 fantasy starting pitchers after his strikeout rate dropped below 20% for the first time in his career.
5 hours ago
Robbie Ray Throws Bullpen On Thursday
San Francisco Giants left-hander Robbie Ray (hamstring) was seen throwing a bullpen session at camp on Thursday. Ray recovered from Tommy John surgery last year and returned to make seven starts in his first year with the Giants, going 3-2 with a 4.70 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 43 strikeouts and 15 walks in 30 2/3 frames. However, the 33-year-old veteran southpaw ended the year on the injured list after straining his hamstring on Aug. 27. By all accounts, he's fully healthy for spring training and is fully expected to be locked into a starting rotation spot for San Fran in 2025. Ray's 4.70 ERA upon his return last year was not impressive, but his stuff was. The former American League Cy Young winner is injury-prone and can get wild at times, but he proved last year that he still has plenty of swing-and-miss stuff. At a low cost on draft day, Ray is absolutely worth rostering as fantasy starting pitching depth.
5 hours ago
Jordan Montgomery Drops 20-25 Pounds
Arizona Diamondbacks left-hander Jordan Montgomery said he dropped 20 to 25 pounds this offseason after his disappointing 2024 campaign with the team. "I know my season wasn't great, and I expect a lot of myself," Montgomery said. The 32-year-old veteran southpaw helped the Texas Rangers win the World Series in the fall of 2023 before joining Arizona right before the start of the 2024 season. He imploded with a 6.23 ERA (4.48 FIP) and 1.65 WHIP with 83 strikeouts and 44 walks in 117 innings over 25 appearances (21 starts) for the Snakes. Perhaps Montgomery will pitch better this year now that he's had a normal offseason and is in better shape, but there's also no guarantee he'll open the season in the starting rotation after how bad he was a season ago. He saw his strikeout rate dip to 15.6% while posting a 41% hard-hit rate. Montgomery is outside of RotoBaller's top-100 fantasy starting pitchers.
6 hours ago
Luis Arraez To Play First Base
San Diego Padres president of baseball operations A.J. Preller said he sees infielder Luis Arraez as the team's starting first baseman this year. "They're everyday guys that'll be on the field," manager Mike Shildt said of Arraez and Jake Cronenworth being on the right side of the infield in 2025. Arraez will surely also see time as the club's designated hitter, but it appears he'll spend most of his time at first, with Cronenworth at the keystone. The 27-year-old left-handed hitter won his third straight batting title in 2024 by hitting .314 (200-for-637) while also being named to his third straight All-Star team. The Venezuelan has a unique skill set at the plate with elite bat-to-ball skills, and what he did last year is even more impressive, considering he played a large chunk of the season with a torn UCL in his left thumb. Arraez is great for your team batting average, but he does very little else.
6 hours ago
Astros Haven't Approached Framber Valdez About Contract Extension
Houston Astros left-hander Framber Valdez said the team has not approached him or his agent yet about a contract extension, according to The Athletic's Chandler Rome. Rome adds that it would probably be unwise for Valdez to consider signing any extension the Astros might offer him during spring training. The 31-year-old southpaw is in his final year of club control in 2025 and is scheduled to make $18 million this year. If he hits the open market next winter, which appears likely right now, Valdez should have no shortage of offers from other organizations after serving as Houston's ace the last three years. The Dominican hurler was an All-Star in 2022 and 2023 and had a 2.91 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 169:55 K:BB in 28 starts in 2024. There's a lot to like about Valdez, but his lower strikeout rate for an ace makes him more of a low-end No. 1 fantasy starter/high-end No. 2 than a high-end fantasy ace.
6 hours ago
Erik Swanson "Going To Be A Little Bit Behind"
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Erik Swanson (forearm) experienced right-forearm fatigue last month and is "going to be a little bit behind" in spring training, according to manager John Schneider. Swanson is currently throwing at 120 feet, though, and still has a chance to be ready for Opening Day in late March. The 31-year-old struggled early on in 2024 and was sent to the minors briefly. Overall, the former Seattle Mariners hurler posted an elevated 5.03 ERA (6.06 FIP) and 1.27 WHIP with 37 strikeouts, nine holds and 14 walks in 39 1/3 innings over 45 relief appearances in his second year in Toronto. Swanson averaged a 31% strikeout rate and solid 6.6% walk rate the previous two seasons, so there is bounce-back potential for him in 2025 if he's healthy. He's unlikely to see save chances if both Jeff Hoffman and Chad Green are healthy, but he should once again be in line to pick up some holds.
6 hours ago
Will Wagner To See Time At First And Third Base
Toronto Blue Jays infielder Will Wagner (knee) is doing everything at camp and will see time at first and third base in spring training, according to Sportsnet's Shi Davidi. Wagner made his major-league debut with Toronto last year and went 25-for-82 (.305) with two home runs and 11 RBI in 24 games played. However, the 26-year-old second baseman was shut down in late September and required arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. Proving that he can play first base and third base, in addition to the keystone, will only increase his chances of making the Opening Day roster. The former 18th-round pick by the Houston Astros in 2021 out of Liberty University makes consistent contact and barrels the ball up frequently, but he hasn't shown much power or speed, limiting his fantasy ceiling. The son of former closer Billy Wagner figures to be a utility infielder for Toronto to open the year.
6 hours ago
Blue Jays Expecting Daulton Varsho To Miss Time
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho (shoulder) is hitting and throwing up to 90 feet, but manager John Schneider said the team is operating as if Varsho will miss time. However, the Jays aren't "putting anything past him." The 28-year-old will more than likely open the 2025 regular season on the injured list after undergoing shoulder surgery last year. When healthy, Varsho will operate as the team's regular center fielder. But until then, all of Joey Loperfido, Nathan Lukes, Jonatan Clase and George Springer could see time in center early in the year. Varsho's glove was his best asset for Toronto in his second year with the team, as he hit a below-average .214/.293/.407 with a .700 OPS, 18 home runs, 58 RBI, 10 stolen bases and 73 runs scored in 136 games. His shoulder injury could have been to blame, but it also doesn't make fantasy managers in mixed leagues confident that he can rebound coming off shoulder surgery.
6 hours ago
Bo Bichette A Full-Go For Spring Training
Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette (finger) is a full-go for spring training. Bichette said he had the pin in his broken finger removed long ago and feels normal. "Bo looks like Bo, which is really, really refreshing," said manager John Schneider. "We kind of operated without one of best bats last year in Bo. So having him back is going to be big." The 2024 season was a lost one for the 26-year-old after injuring his calf and fracturing his right middle finger late in the year. Bichette's OPS dropped to a ghastly .599, and he also stole only five bases for the second straight season. He was one of the biggest busts in all of fantasy last year, but with better health, it's totally conceivable that he could bounce back to being one of the better fantasy shortstops in 2025. RotoBaller has Bichette ranked as the No. 15 fantasy shortstop after his brutal 2024 campaign.
7 hours ago
Julian Aguiar
• SP
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Reds
