6 days agoAccording to Mark Zuckerman of MASN, the Washington Nationals have designated left-handed pitcher
Joe La Sorsa for assignment. This transaction opened a roster spot for left-handed pitcher Shinnosuke Ogasawara, who the team signed to a two-year contract earlier on Friday. La Sorsa logged 17 2/3 innings for the Nationals last season. He posted a 4.58 ERA with a 1.25 WHIP. He showed strong command with a 6.8% walk rate but struck out batters at a low 18.9% rate. Across 89 2/3 career innings at the Triple-A level, La Sorsa has held a strong 2.91 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP. He struggled to generate strikeouts at that level as well as he struck out just 68 batters. Given his lack of major league success, fantasy managers should expect La Sorsa to open the 2025 season at the Triple-A level.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Mark Zuckerman
6 days agoAccording to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Detroit Tigers will not acquire Houston Astros relief pitcher
Ryan Pressly. Nightengale noted that Pressly could either waive his trade clause to be the Chicago Cubs' closer or remain in Houston in a setup role. However, the Tigers are out of the running. The Tigers have been active in the relief pitcher market and have been linked to other options, such as
Carlos Estevez. Last season, Pressly held a 3.49 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP across 56 2/3 innings. He struck out 58 batters and tallied 25 holds, operating as the go-to option in the eighth inning. Last season,
Jason Foley saw most of the save opportunities as he tallied 28 saves with a 3.15 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP. He is currently slated to return to that role, with
Tyler Holton operating as the No.2 option.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Bob Nightengale
6 days agoAccording to Scott Merkin of MLB.com, Chicago White Sox starting pitcher
Drew Thorpe (elbow) received a cortisone shot in his right elbow due to soreness and will likely miss the start of spring training. The rookie underwent an elbow operation in September to remove a burn spur but appears to have faced a setback in his recovery. Merkin noted that Thorpe is expected to begin playing catch later this week but will start spring training "behind." Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status throughout the offseason. Last summer, Thorpe was directly promoted to the major leagues from the Double-A level. Across his first 44 1/3 major league innings, the Cal Poly product posted a 5.48 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. Through 60 innings at Double-A, Thorpe held a stellar 1.35 ERA and a 0.87 WHIP. If he were to miss the start of the season,
Bryse Wilson would likely receive starting opportunities.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Scott Merkin
6 days agoAccording to the team, Colorado Rockies starting pitching prospect
Chase Dollander has received an invite to spring training. Dollander was selected with the ninth overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft out of Tennessee. The right-hander enjoyed a fantastic professional debut season. He opened the 2024 campaign with High-A Spokane and posted a strong 2.83 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP across 70 innings. During this stint, he struck out 111 batters. He then earned a late-season promotion to Double-A, where he held an impressive 2.25 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP through 48 frames. He struck out 58 batters with just 19 walks. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Dollander's development as he is becoming one of the top pitching prospects in the sport. If he continues this pace, he could have a chance for a late-season debut this summer.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Colorado Rockies
6 days agoAccording to Will Sammon of The Athletic, relief pitcher
Adbert Alzolay (elbow) is signing a minor-league contract with the New York Mets. This deal is a two-year contract, as Alzolay underwent Tommy John surgery last season and is not expected to pitch during the 2025 campaign. After operating as the Cubs closer during the 2023 season and performing quite well, tallying 22 saves with a 2.67 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP; the right-hander took a significant step back in 2024. Last summer, Alzolay posted a hefty 4.67 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP before undergoing the operation. Under the hood, he generated a hefty 6.79 xERA and a .292 xBA, which were among the highest marks in the sport. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Alzolay's progression but should not expect him to return to the mound until 2026.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Will Sammon
6 days agoThe San Diego Padres announced on Friday that they acquired right-hander
Ron Marinaccio from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for cash considerations. The New York Yankees designated Marinaccio for assignment earlier this offseason before the White Sox claimed him off waivers. The 29-year-old reliever will now head to the National League West, where he'll hope to win a Opening Day roster spot out of spring training in 2025. The former 19th-round selection by the Yankees in 2017 out of the University of Delaware made his major-league debut in 2022 in the Bronx and has a 3.22 career ERA and 1.19 WHIP with two saves and 137 strikeouts in his 114 2/3 relief innings in the big leagues. Marinaccio had a 3.86 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 25:10 K:BB in 23 1/3 innings in 2024 in New York. He'll merely represent bullpen depth for the Friars in 2025.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: San Diego Padres
6 days agoThe Washington Post's Andrew Golden reports that the Washington Nationals signed Japanese left-handed pitcher Shinnosuke Ogasawara to an undisclosed two-year deal on Friday. The 27-year-old was an All-Star in Nippon Professional Baseball in 2023 and pitched nine seasons in Japan for the Chunichi Dragons. Last year, Ogasawara held a 3.12 ERA and 1.20 WHIP with 82 strikeouts and 22 walks in 144 1/3 innings for the Dragons. He's not a high-profile talent like the Dodgers'
Yoshinobu Yamamoto or Roki Sasaki, but in Washington, he should at least have a shot to compete for a starting rotation spot in spring training heading into the 2025 season. The 5-foot-11 pitcher sits in the low-90s with his fastball and struck out only 13.6 percent of the batters he faced in 2024, which means he's unlikely to miss many bats as he makes the jump to MLB.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Washington Post - Andrew Golden
6 days agoThe New York Post's Jon Heyman reports that Houston Astros right-handed reliever
Ryan Pressly, who is being shopped by the Astros this offseason, has a full no-trade clause and has told the team that he does not want to go to the East or West coast. It means that he wouldn't approve a trade to the Toronto Blue Jays, one of the team's reportedly pursuing him. Pressly has not committed either way to the Chicago Cubs, who were reportedly close to acquiring him on Thursday. The 36-year-old is scheduled to make $14 million in 2024 and showed obviously signs of decline while both his strikeout and walk rates went the wrong way, so the Astros are more than likely going to have to eat some salary in order to work out a trade. Although Pressly isn't getting any younger, a trade to Chicago would almost certainly make him the Cubs' primary closer in 2025.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: New York Post - Jon Heyman
6 days agoFree-agent infielder
J.D. Davis agreed with the Los Angeles Angels on a minor-league deal that includes an invite to major-league spring training on Friday, according to sources. Davis was only able to land a minor-league deal with the Halos after a disappointing 2024 campaign with the Oakland Athletics and New York Yankees. In 46 combined games between the two clubs, he slashed a weak .218/.293/.338 with a .631 OPS, only four home runs, six RBI, 13 runs scored and 39 strikeouts in 157 plate appearances. The 31-year-old veteran right-handed hitter will now hope to impress in spring training and win an Opening Day roster spot as depth for the Angels at both third base and first base behind
Anthony Rendon and
Nolan Schanuel, respectively. In 2023 with the San Francisco Giants, Davis hit 18 homers and drove in 69 with a .248/.325/.413 slash line in a career-high 144 games.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: FanSided - Robert Murray
6
days
agoAtlanta
Braves
outfielder
Ronald
Acuna
Jr.
(knee)
is
expected
to
miss
the
first
month
or
so
of
the
2025
season
while
recovering
from
ACL
surgery
on
his
left
knee,
which
is
the
second
ACL
surgery
after
he
tore
his
right
ACL
back
read more...
6 days agoThe New York Post's Jon Heyman reports that the Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs are believed to be showing significant interest in free-agent third baseman
Alex Bregman, with the Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox also still involved. The Astros were believed to have moved earlier this offseason, but they've rekindled interest in bringing him back since he's still available and are even considering moving
Isaac Paredes to second base and All-Star
Jose Altuve to left field to accommodate a move. Bregman, a two-time All-Star and Gold Glover last year, was a big clubhouse guy in Houston and is still revered by many of their current players, including Altuve. He managed 26 homers, 75 RBI and 79 runs scored while slashing .260/.315/.453 in 145 games in 2024. It's unknown if the Astros are willing to up their previous offer to Bregman of six years and $156 million.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: New York Post - Jon Heyman
6 days agoThe Toronto Blue Jays have traded left-handed pitcher
Brandon Eisert to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for cash considerations. The 27-year-old was recently designated for assignment to open a roster spot for
Anthony Santander. The Oregon State product made his major league debut with the Blue Jays last summer, allowing three earned runs across a short six 2/3 inning stint. Eisert has spent most of the previous three seasons with Triple-A Buffalo. Across 183 1/3 innings, the 27-year-old has held a 3.83 ERA with a 1.27 WHIP. He struck out an impressive 219 batters and served up 61 free passes. He operated primarily in a relief role but did make 10 starts. Fantasy managers should expect Eisert to compete for a spot on the Tampa Bay Opening Day roster during spring training.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Toronto Blue Jays
6 days agoAccording to Robert Murray of FanSided.com, right-handed pitcher
Chris Mazza is scheduled to throw for interested teams on Sunday at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida. The 35-year-old has not pitched in the major leagues since the 2022 season due to Tommy John surgery. In 2022, Mazza allowed seven earned runs across five 1/3 innings of work. He posted a career-best 4.61 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP with the Tampa Bay Rays during the 2021 campaign. Across 175 2/3 career innings at the Triple-A level, Mazza has posted a 4.41 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. The Menlo product would likely be given an invite to spring training if his throwing showcase goes well but will face an uphill battle to make an Opening Day roster given the time he has been sidelined.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Robert Murray
6 days agoAccording to the Reno Aces, right-handed pitcher
Josh Winder has signed a minor-league deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks. This deal includes an invitation to spring training. The 28-year-old has spent his entire MLB career with the Minnesota Twins. Last summer, Winder logged nine innings of work in the major leagues and allowed three earned runs while striking out ten batters. During the 2022 and 2023 seasons, Winder carried a 4.51 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP across 101 2/3 innings with the Twins. Through 105 career frames with Triple-A St. Paul, the former seventh-round selection posted a 5.49 ERA and a 1.52 WHIP. Fantasy managers should expect Winder to compete for a bullpen role during spring training, but given his lack of major league experience, he will likely open the season at the Triple-A level.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Reno Aces
6 days agoAccording to Bruce Levine of 670 The Score, the Chicago Cubs and relief pitcher
David Robertson have discussed a potential reunion. The 39-year-old spent time with the Cubs during the 2022 campaign. During this 40 1/3 inning stint, Robertson posted a 2.23 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP with 14 saves. Last summer, Robertson spent the entire season with the Texas Rangers and operated as the top setup man for
Kirby Yates. Across 72 innings, the right-hander held a 3.00 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP. He tallied an impressive 35 holds with a strong 33.6% K rate. However, he struggled with his command as he held a high 9.4% walk rate. Levine noted that the Cubs were also interested in
Paul Sewald before he signed with Cleveland. Robertson would likely have a high-leverage role in the Chicago bullpen and could even compete for save opportunities with
Porter Hodge.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Bruce Levine
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