MLB Player News

DeGrom (elbow) said Saturday that he plans to begin throwing again in the spring, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

DeGrom didn't specify the exact date he'll start his program, but he added that he's happy with the progress he's made in his recovery. The 35-year-old righty underwent Tommy John surgery in July to repair a torn UCL in his right elbow and is projected to rejoin the Rangers late in the summer.

Cease was named the White Sox's Opening Day starter on Thursday, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports.

Cease will draw his second consecutive Opening Day assignment, this time taking on the Tigers on March 28. He has frequently been mentioned in trade rumors this offseason, but for now it appears he'll remain with Chicago. Cease had a disappointing 2023 season, posting a 4.58 ERA and 1.42 WHIP to go along with a 214:79 K:BB across 177 innings.

McKenzie said at the Guardians' FanFest event Saturday that he's "feeling great" physically, Leah Doherty of Cleveland 19 News reports.

McKenzie was limited to just four starts for the Guardians in 2023 due to shoulder and elbow problems, but he finished the season healthy and has thrown without issue this winter. The right-hander noted that he's thrown more this offseason than he normally would in order to make up for lost time. McKenzie represents a buy-low option for fantasy managers, but he will remain a health risk heading into 2024.

Bello said Saturday that he has been working on commanding his slider during the offseason and plans on making it a "significant part of his mix" this season, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Bello was able to significantly improve his walk rate last season; however, he saw his K/9 drop from 8.6 in 2022 to 7.6 in 2023. The 24-year-old righty has developed a reputation as a groundball pitcher during his two seasons in the majors, relying mostly on his sinker and changeup. If Bello is able to successfully fine-tune his slider, he may be able to produce the strikeout totals necessary to join the next tier of fantasy starters.

McCullers (forearm) said Saturday that he expects to return toward the end of the summer, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

McCullers missed all of 2023 while dealing with a right forearm injury and opted to undergo surgery to repair a torn flexor tendon in June. McCullers resumed throwing on flat ground from 80 feet out during the offseason and has yet to run into any issues. The 30-year-old righty still has a long way to go in his rehab process, but he could provide a significant boost to Houston's rotation or give the team another multi-inning relief option late in the season.

Mize signed a one-year, $840,000 contract with the Tigers on Friday to avoid arbitration Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Mize's deal also includes a $3.1 million club option for 2025, though he would remain under team control if Detroit declined to pick up the option. Mize sat out all of last season while recovering from a Tommy John procedure, but he's been deemed healthy and should be ready to go for the start of spring training. The 26-year-old right-hander holds a 4.29 ERA and 1.21 WHIP through 188.2 career big-league innings.

Twins manager Rocco Baldelli named Lopez the team's Opening Day starter Wednesday, Lexi Schweinert of Twins Radio reports.

It's on the early side to be naming an Opening Day starter, but Baldelli evidently saw no reason to wait with Lopez representing an obvious choice. The right-hander's first season in Minnesota was the best of his career, with Lopez collecting a 3.66 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 234:48 K:BB over 194 innings. Minnesota opens its regular season on March 28 in Kansas City.

Urena signed a minor-league contract with the Rangers on Tuesday that includes an invitation to spring training.

Urena made a combined 10 starts for the Rockies and White Sox last season, producing an ugly 6.45 ERA and 29:22 K:BB over 44.2 innings. The 32-year-old veteran will probably begin the 2024 season as part of Triple-A Round Rock's rotation.

Irvin signed a one-year deal with the Orioles on Thursday to avoid arbitration.

Irvin had an underwhelming 2023 season, during which his role fluctuated between starting and relief. He also spent a considerable amount of time at Triple-A Norfolk, and he'll likely have to earn a roster spot with Baltimore by performing well in spring training heading into the 2024 campaign.

Schmidt signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Yankees on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Schmidt got his first substantial chance as a starter in the majors last season, and he posted an uninspiring 4.64 ERA and 1.35 WHIP across 159 frames. His primary problem was the long ball (1.4 HR/9), though he managed a decent 14.8 K-BB%. That suggests there's some chance for him to see improved results in 2024, assuming he can stick in the rotation.