MLB Player News

Glasnow (wrist) has scrapped his changeup and has been working on a splitter as his new third pitch, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Glasnow almost exclusively used his fastball and curveball last season, throwing his changeup just 3.5 percent of the time. It would be premature to alter Glasnow's projection based purely on the news that he's learning a new pitch, but an altered pitch mix certainly brings the potential for a new level of performance. It's not effectiveness but rather health that's the worry for Glasnow, however. He posted an incredible 1.78 ERA and a 33.0 percent strikeout rate last season, but that came in just 12 starts. There's already some cause to worry about his health for the upcoming season, as he underwent a wrist procedure in November, but he's expected to be on schedule for the start of camp.

Cobb (hip) will not have any restrictions when spring training begins for Orioles pitchers and catchers Tuesday, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports.

Cobb underwent hip surgery in June but will not be limited for spring training according to manager Brandon Hyde. Despite throwing only 12.1 innings and accruing a 10.95 ERA in 2019, Cobb is expected to open the season as the team's No. 2 starter.

Glasnow underwent a median nerve decompression procedure on his right wrist in November but has been throwing without issues and isn't expected to miss any time at the start of spring training, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Any surgery is a potential worry, and that's doubly true for a procedure on a pitcher's arm, but this particular surgery doesn't appear to be a major issue. Glasnow's health can't be fully trusted after forearm problems limited him to just 12 starts last season, and while this news adds at least a bit of extra risk, the righty can calm any potential fears by looking normal at the start of spring training.

Berrios will make $4.025 million in 2020 after losing his arbitration case, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

Berrios was asking for $4.4 million, per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. The 25-year-old made 32 starts for the Twins in 2019, posting a 3.68 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 195:51 K:BB across 200.1 innings.

Montgomery appears to be a strong candidate to start the year in the Yankees' rotation following James Paxton's back surgery, Brendan Kuty of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

Paxton isn't expected back until May or June. With Domingo German not returning until June due to suspension, a handful of starts should be available behind Gerrit Cole, Luis Severino, Masahiro Tanaka and J.A. Happ. Michael King, Jonathan Loaisiga and Luis Cessa could also be in contention for a rotation spot, though Montgomery is the most accomplished of that group and should have the inside track, provided he looks good this spring after missing most of the last two seasons due to Tommy John surgery.

Paxton underwent a microscopic lumbar discectomy to remove a peridiscal cyst Wednesday and will miss 3-to-4 months.

The back procedure will prevent Paxton from making his season debut until sometime in May or June. Injuries are unfortunately nothing new for the lefty, who's never reached the 30-start threshold in any of his seven major-league seasons. The injury opens up a temporary spot in the Yankees' rotation, with Jordan Montgomery looking like the favorite to win it.

Stripling has been sent along with Joc Pederson from the Dodgers to the Angels, with Luis Rengifo and other undisclosed players heading the other way, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Stripling is a fairly expendable piece for a deep Dodgers pitching staff that lost Hyun-Jin Ryu (free agency) and Kenta Maeda (traded to Twins) this winter but gained David Price, Alex Wood and Jimmy Nelson. The latter two pitchers represent depth options more than anything else, but both were seemingly ahead of Stripling in the pecking order. Stripling should have a more legitimate opportunity to compete for a starting role with the Angels, and at the very least, he'll offer a substantial upgrade over their existing swingman types. Over his 52 career MLB starts, Stripling has accrued a 3.71 ERA and 18.4 K-BB percentage while limiting opposing hitters to a .308 wOBA.

Houck is a potential candidate for Boston's starting rotation after the team traded David Price to the Dodgers on Tuesday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

The loss of Price leaves a major hole in the rotation, and Houck is one of several possible candidates entering spring training. The 23-year-old right-hander has overhauled his mechanics and added to his pitch mix since being drafted 24th overall out of Missouri in 2017. He recorded a 3.65 ERA in his 15 starts for Double-A Portland last year. He then pitched well in relief (2.05 ERA, 22 innings) at Triple-A Pawtucket. The team views him as a starter, and Houck will return to that role in 2020. Other potential candidates include Brusdar Graterol, who was acquired in the Price/Mookie Betts trade, Darwinzon Hernandez, Kyle Hart, Mike Shawaryn, Ryan Weber and Hector Velazquez. There are also a handful of free-agent starters still available on the market.

Maeda is heading from the Dodgers to the Twins on Tuesday in a three-team trade with the Red Sox that includes Mookie Betts, David Price, Alex Verdugo and pitching prospect Brusdar Graterol, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Betts and Price will join the Dodgers while Verdugo and Graterol head to the Red Sox in the deal. Maeda has mostly worked as a starter for Los Angeles over the last four seasons, and he had a 4.04 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 169:51 K:BB over 153.2 innings last season. The 31-year-old was moved to the bullpen multiple times in the last couple years given the Dodgers' dearth of starting options, but he should have a more solidified spot in the Twins' starting rotation in 2020.

Gonzales signed a four-year extension with the Mariners on Monday.

The deal contains a club option for a fifth season, giving Seattle control over the lefty through his age-32 season and buying out up to two years of his free agency. Gonzales will make $30 million over the first four years of the deal, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports. The southpaw has emerged as the rebuilding Mariners' top starter over the last two seasons, posting ERAs of 4.00 and 3.99. His 18.7 percent career strikeout rate keeps his fantasy ceiling fairly low, however.