Stephen Kolek Will Be Stretched Out During The Spring

According to Dennis Lin of The Athletic, San Diego Padres right-handed pitcher Stephen Kolek will be stretched out during spring training to potentially see time as a starting pitcher. Kolek made his major-league debut last season in San Diego and was deployed exclusively out of the bullpen. Across his first 46 2/3 innings in the […]

Bryan Hoeing Will Be Deployed Out Of The Bullpen

According to Dennis Lin of The Athletic, San Diego Padres right-handed pitcher Bryan Hoeing will begin the season pitching out of the bullpen. Last season, Hoeing spent time with the Marlins and the Padres. He was given two starts with Miami but was deployed exclusively out of the bullpen in San Diego. Across 53 2/3 […]

JT Brubaker Throws Live BP Session

New York Yankees right-hander JT Brubaker (oblique) was scheduled to throw a live batting practice session at camp on Wednesday. Brubaker had Tommy John surgery in April of 2023 and has not pitched in a big-league game since 2022 with the Pittsburgh Pirates, when he went 3-12 with a 4.69 ERA (3.92 FIP), 1.46 WHIP, […]

Andrew Nardi Dealing With Lower-Back Inflammation

Miami Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said that left-handed relief pitcher Andrew Nardi (back) is dealing with lower-back inflammation. As a result, Nardi will be behind the other pitchers at spring training. The 26-year-old southpaw missed the final five-plus weeks of last season due to an elbow injury as well, but hopefully his new back isn't […]

Drey Jameson Confident He'll Be Ready For Opening Day

Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Drey Jameson (elbow), who was scheduled to throw a bullpen session at camp on Wednesday, is confident that he'll be ready to go on Opening Day. Jameson said there's "no question" he'll be ready. The 27-year-old had Tommy John surgery in September of 2023, which caused him to miss the entire 2024 […]

Garrett Whitlock Hits 95 MPH During Live BP Session

Boston Red Sox right-hander Garrett Whitlock (elbow) averaged 95 mph during his live batting practice session at camp on Tuesday and said that he feels "super healthy" and expects to have a normal spring training. Whitlock is nine months removed from having an internal-brace procedure on his right elbow but is a full-go this spring […]

Brewers Sign Tyler Alexander To One-Year Deal

The Milwaukee Brewers announced on Wednesday that they signed free-agent left-hander Tyler Alexander to an undisclosed one-year deal. In a corresponding move, left-hander Robert Gasser (elbow) was placed on the 60-day injured list. Alexander became a free agent when the Tampa Bay Rays non-tendered him early in the offseason. The 30-year-old veteran southpaw made 23 […]

Robert Garcia Dealing With Nerve Irritation In His Forearm

New Texas Rangers left-handed reliever Robert Garcia (forearm) is being held out of bullpens in camp for the next few days due to nerve irritation in his left forearm. Garcia will play catch on Thursday and go from there. "Nothing we're concerned about, but going to play cautiously here at the beginning of spring training," […]

Lou Trivino Fully Healthy

San Francisco Chronicle's Susan Slusser reports that San Francisco Giants right-handed reliever Lou Trivino (elbow) is fully healthy after having Tommy John surgery and was able to throw live batting practice at camp on Wednesday. Trivino said his new UCL "was like changing the transmission." The 33-year-old veteran pitcher had TJ surgery in May of […]

Ryan Walker To Be Giants Closer

San Francisco Giants manager Bob Melvin said on Wednesday that right-handed reliever Ryan Walker will open the season as the team's closer. Walker took over as the Giants' closer in the second half last year and never looked back after Camilo Doval was removed from the ninth-inning role. All in all, the 29-year-old was excellent […]

James McArthur To Be Delayed In Camp After Elbow Surgery

MLB.com's Anne Rogers reports that Kansas City Royals right-handed reliever James McArthur (elbow) had right-elbow surgery in the offseason, specifically having two screws put in his arm to stabilize an olecranon fracture. McArthur has just resumed his throwing program/progression and will be delayed at the start of spring training as a result. The 28-year-old could […]

Drew Smith Re-Signs With Mets

Right-handed reliever Drew Smith (elbow) agreed to an undisclosed one-year deal to re-sign with the New York Mets on Wednesday, a source told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. The deal includes a club option for the 2026 season. Smith continues to rehab from a hybrid internal-brace/Tommy John surgery last July. There is a chance the 31-year-old reliever […]

Michael Kopech Behind Schedule, Could Open Season On Injured List

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that right-handed reliever Michael Kopech (forearm) is behind schedule in his ramp-up to open spring training, and the skipper is unsure if Kopech will have to start the 2025 regular season on the injured list. Kopech dealt with right-forearm inflammation this winter, although some in the Dodgers organization […]

Robert Stephenson To Throw Off Mound On Wednesday

Los Angeles Angels right-handed reliever Robert Stephenson (elbow) said that he's throwing off a mound on Wednesday for the first time since having Tommy John surgery and an internal-brace procedure back in May of last year. Stephenson hopes to be back with the Angels by early July or right around the All-Star break. The 31-year-old […]

Ben Joyce To Get Another Year To Grow Into Closer Role

The Los Angeles Angels signed veteran closer Kenley Jansen on a one-year, $10 million deal on Tuesday, which will give 24-year-old right-hander Ben Joyce another year to grow into the closer role for the Angels. While Jansen will most likely be L.A.'s primary ninth-inning arm, he's also 37 years old and an injury risk, so […]

Yankees Claim Brent Headrick Off Waivers From Twins

The New York Yankees claimed left-hander Brent Headrick off waivers from the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday. Headrick will now head to the American League East and hope to win a roster spot with the Yankees out of spring training. The 27-year-old southpaw made his major-league debut with the Twins in 2023 and had a rough […]

Jake Cousins, Clayton Beeter Dealing With Injuries

New York Yankees right-handers Jake Cousins (forearm) and Clayton Beeter (shoulder) are both dealing with injuries prior to the start of spring training. Cousins is dealing with a forearm strain but could start throwing next week or the week after, according to manager Aaron Boone. The injury has put his status for Opening Day in […]

Evan Phillips Unlikely To Be Ready For Opening Day

According to Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register, Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Evan Phillips (shoulder) is still recovering from the injury that kept him sidelined during the World Series and is unlikely to be ready for Opening Day. Plunkett noted that the 30-year-old suffered a tear in the back of his rotator cuff. […]

Rangers Sign JT Chargois To Minor-League Contract

According to Aram Leighton of Just BB Media, the Texas Rangers signed right-handed pitcher JT Chargois to a minor-league contract. Last season, Chargois spent time with the Miami Marlins and Seattle Mariners. Across 36 1/3 innings, the Rice product posted a solid 2.23 ERA with a 1.02 WHIP. He tallied 30 punchouts with a modest […]

Marlins Claim Ronny Henriquez Off Waivers

According to the team, the Miami Marlins have claimed right-handed pitcher Ronny Henriquez off waivers from the Minnesota Twins. In a corresponding move, the team designated right-handed pitcher Xzavion Curry for assignment. Henriquez has spent his entire MLB career with the Twins. Last season, the right-hander appeared in 16 games for the Twins (one start) […]

Xzavion Curry Designated For Assignment

According to the team, the Miami Marlins have designated right-handed pitcher Xzavion Curry for assignment. In a corresponding move, the Marlins claimed Ronny Henriquez off waivers from the Minnesota Twins. Last season, Curry spent time with the Cleveland Guardians and Marlins. Across 42 2/3 innings, Curry posted a 4.64 ERA with a 1.05 WHIP. He […]

Braves Invite Jake Diekman To Spring Training

According to Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Atlanta Braves are signing left-handed pitcher Jake Diekman to a minor-league deal that includes an invite to spring training. Last season, the 38-year-old logged 32 innings with the New York Mets. Across this stint, Diekman held a 5.63 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP. He was unable […]

Red Sox Open To Closer Committee

Boston Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said on Tuesday that the team is open to using a closer committee during the 2025 season. When asked if anyone besides lefty Aroldis Chapman and righty Liam Hendriks are closer candidates, manager Alex Cora mentioned right-hander Garrett Whitlock (elbow). The Red Sox had 20 different pitchers […]

Angels Claim Michael Petersen Off Waivers From Jays

The Los Angeles Angels claimed right-hander Michael Petersen off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday and designated right-hander Kelvin Caceres for assignment in a corresponding move to make room on the 40-man roster. Petersen will be on his fourth team of the offseason after being passed around from the Los Angeles Dodgers, Miami […]

Jose Butto To Work As Reliever, Tylor Megill Stretching Out As Starter

New York Mets right-hander Jose Butto will be a reliever this year, according to manager Carlos Mendoza. Meanwhile, Mendoza said that right-hander Tylor Megill will be stretched out as a starter during spring training. Butto went 7-3 with a nice .255 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, his first three career saves and a 79:38 K:BB in 74 […]

Mets Optimistic About A.J. Minter

New York Mets left-handed reliever A.J. Minter (hip), who is recovering from surgery on his labrum, isn't a lock to be ready for Opening Day in late March, but the Mets are optimistic he'll be with the team then. When healthy, the Mets are expecting Minter to be a key left-handed, high-leverage setup man in […]

Scott Barlow Agrees With Reds On One-Year Deal

Free-agent relief pitcher Scott Barlow agreed with the Cincinnati Reds on a one-year, $2.5 million contract on Tuesday, sources told ESPN's Jesse Rogers. The deal is still pending a physical. Barlow will head to the National League Central in 2025 after going 3-3 with a 4.25 ERA (4.02 FIP), a 1.36 WHIP, two saves, 68 […]

Kenley Jansen Agrees To Contract With Angels

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, relief pitcher Kenley Jansen has agreed to a one-year, $10 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday. Jansen has spent the last two seasons with the Boston Red Sox after a brief stint with the Atlanta Braves and a long tenure with the Los […]

What are FIP and xFIP? Sabermetrics Glossary for Fantasy Baseball (2025)

Welcome RotoBallers to our overview of FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) and xFIP (expected Fielding Independent Pitching). This article is a deeper dive into FIP/xFIP and is part of our ongoing series "Using Sabermetrics for Fantasy Baseball." In this article, we'll explore how to separate a pitcher's performance from his supporting cast and luck using metrics […]

Austin Voth Signs Overseas

According to the Yakyu Cosmopolitan, the Lotte Marines of Nippon Professional Baseball have signed right-handed pitcher Austin Voth. Voth was non-tendered by the Seattle Mariners earlier in the offseason and will take his talents to the NPB. Last summer in Seattle, Voth held a 3.69 ERA with a 1.05 WHIP across 61 innings of work. […]