MLB Player News

With three starting pitching jobs up for grabs, Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale said Daniel Hudson will begin spring training as a starter, reports The Arizona Republic.

Hudson returned from Tommy John surgery last season and posted a 13.50 ERA over 2 2/3 innings.

"We're going to see how he feels and see where he's at halfway through spring," Hale said. "As of right now, he feels great, his sides have been good and he's very encouraging."

The Cubs and pitcher Pedro Strop have avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year deal worth $2.525 million in 2015, CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman reports.

The contract falls slightly over the midpoint of the figures the two sides exchanged in January, with Strop asking for $3 million and the team offering $2 million. The reliever posted a 2.21 ERA and 71:25 K:BB ratio in 61 innings over 65 appearances in 2014.

The Rockies signed pitcher John Axford to a minor-league contract Monday, according to the team's transaction page.

The deal includes an invite to spring training and a $2.6 million base salary, which could esclate if he reaches certain incentives, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman. 

In 2014, Axford went 2-4 over 54 2/3 innings with a 3.95 ERA.

Braves starting pitcher Shelby Miller had an up-and-down season with the Cardinals in 2014. He began the season by going 6-2 with a 2.79 ERA before going 2-7 with a 5.11 ERA over his next 16 appearances (15 starts).

Miller, however, was able to finish the season on a high note, going 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA and .190 opponents' batting average over his final seven starts. Miller attributes his success down the stretch to incorporating a sinker into his repertoire, per FOX Sports South.

"I said I'm going to throw some of these, and we'll see where it's at," Miller said of a conversation he had with catcher A.J. Pierzynski before an Aug. 23 start against the Phillies. "It felt good so we just went with it. I started throwing it literally within three days. It's a good pitch that I picked up quick.

"I still need a lot of work with it. I need a lot of work with all my pitches. There's all sorts of ways to get better. But I think that's definitely a pitch that will help me be more efficient and take me deeper into games. That's [the sinker] going to be a huge pitch for me this year that's ultimately going to take me to the next level. Not only that but kind of mixing it all together, becoming more of a complete pitcher more than a thrower."

Miller added he will also begin to work more on his changeup, which he threw just 2.2 percent of the time in 2014, per FanGraphs.com.

"I know [Braves pitching coach] Roger [McDowell] has been known for changeups," Miller said. "A lot of great pitchers have come through this organization, [and] that's a pitch I would love to pick up. I want to be able to throw it more consistently, [and] have a little bit more confidence in it."

The Rockies have avoided arbitration with pitcher Adam Ottavino, according to MLB.com.

Ottavino agreed to a one-year deal with the club. Ottavino will make $1.3 million next season, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman.

The 29-year-old posted a 3.60 ERA over 65 innings last year.

Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said Sunday the team is not looking to add another starting pitcher to replace Yovani Gallardo.

"I don't think we have room for a notable starting pitcher," Melvin said. "We'd like to add a pitcher that could be a spot starter."

Milwaukee currently has Jimmy Nelson as their fifth starter, who went 2-9 in 2014 with a 4.93 ERA and 57 strikeouts for the club.

Now that the Nationals have agreed to a contract with Max Scherzer, there is some speculation Washington could be ready to deal starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann, who will be a free agent after the 2015 season.

One potential landing spot for Zimmermann might be with the Brewers, according to FOX Sports reporter Jon Morosi. However, a trade to Milwaukee doesn't seem likely since the Brewers would probably have to include Jimmy Nelson in a trade or have Nelson start the year in the minors, if Zimmermann is acquired.

However, neither of those scenarios are going to happen, according to Brewers general manager Doug Melvin.

"Jimmy Nelson is in the rotation," Melvin told Morosi.

The 25-year-old Nelson went 2-9 with a 4.93 ERA in 14 appearances (12 starts) as a rookie in 2014. He struck out 57 batters and walked 19 in 69 1/3 innings. Nelson was considered a top-100 prospect last season by MLB.com and Baseball America.

Cubs pitcher Pedro Strop has filed for $3 million in arbitration, with the team offering $2 million, Fangraphs reports.

Strop is in his first year of arbitration eligibility. He posted a 2.21 ERA and 71:25 K:BB ratio in 61 innings over 65 appearances in 2014.

Reds pitcher Aroldis Chapman has filed for $8.7 million in arbitration, while the team has offered $6.65 million, CBSSports.com baseball insider Jon Heyman reports.

Chapman is eligible for arbitration for the second time this offseason. He racked up 36 saves in 2014, his third straight season with at least 36 saves, while also posting a 2.00 ERA and 106:24 K:BB ratio in 54 innings.

Relief pitcher Adam Ottavino and the Rockies are currently exchanging arbitration numbers, with Ottavino filing for $1.475 million and Colorado offering $1 million, according to Thomas Harding of MLB.com.

Ottavino threw 65 innings in 2014, with a 1-4 record and a 3.60 ERA for the Rockies.