MLB Player News

Strasburg's agent, Scott Boras, said Monday that there are no active talks with the Nationals regarding a contract extension, Cash Kruth of MLB.com reports. "We amicably agreed to a one-year deal [for 2016]," Boras said. "He's going to pitch, and we'll see where it goes from there. It's something we'll be discussing at the end of the year."

It's been widely assumed that Strasburg would become a free agent after this season, and it doesn't look like the Nats are making a strong play to retain his services. Injuries have marred his resume and he has just one 200-plus inning campaign to his credit, but Strasburg still has a 3.09 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 10.4 K/9 rate in 132 career starts. Given the money Zack Greinke pulled down this offseason, Strasburg will likely be the hottest commodity on the market next winter.

Hendricks will likely battle with Adam Warren for the fifth spot in the Cubs' rotation this season, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Hendricks probably has the inside track heading into spring training, especially with Warren's experience as a reliever with the Yankees. Hendricks has made 45 starts in his two seasons with the Cubs, compiling a 15-9 record and 3.50 ERA in the process.

Hammel will likely slot in as the fourth starter for the Cubs this season, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Some have speculated that Hammel's rotation spot isn't secure with the addition of Adam Warren, but it's far more likely that Kyle Hendricks is the one who needs to be looking over his shoulder. Hammer went 10-7 with a 3.74 ERA in 31 starts for the Cubs last year.

DeGrom and his wife are expecting their first child the first week of April, which could impact the team's rotation early in the season, the NY Post reports.

The Mets have three off days the first week of the season, which could allow deGrom to be easily skipped without impacting the rotation. This is unlikely to have a major impact but worth keeping in mind early in the season when setting your lineup.

Martinez threw a bullpen session Monday at approximately 90 percent strength, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Coming off a shoulder injury that cut his season a bit short, Martinez will be brought along slower than the Cardinals' other starting pitchers. However, he's fully expected to be ready for the beginning of the season and should get in plenty of work during spring training. The flame-throwing righty will likely slot in as his team's No. 3 or 4 starter.

Montas is out 2-4 months after rib surgery, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Montas made his MLB debut in 2015 with the White Sox as both a starter and reliever and was expected to have a shot at the Dodgers' 25-man roster out of spring training. Given his potential as both a starter and reliever, his role in 2016 could be dictated by need when he recovers. This shouldn't affect the 22-year-old's future potential too much, but it's an ailment that could nag even after he returns.

Snodgress signed a minor league deal with the Padres on Friday that does not include an invite to spring training, Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish reports.

Snodgress posted a 5.19 ERA in 8.2 innings pitched at the Double-A level and an 11.16 ERA in 25.0 innings pitched at the Triple-A level in 2015. He has been fairly mediocre in his minor league career and struggled mightily in his brief callup with the White Sox in 2014. The 26-year-old will have to improve drastically if he wants a shot at making the big league team in 2016.

Freeland received an invitation to spring training Thursday.

The 2014 first-round draft pick hasn't pitched above High-A in his career, but the Rockies like him enough to bring him to big league camp during spring training. Despite this, he'll likely head back to the minors for seasoning after spring training concludes.

Ryu (shoulder), who resumed throwing from a mound in mid-January, has reportedly lost 20 pounds this offseason, according to J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News.

Ryu had surgery in May to repair a torn labrum in his pitching shoulder, and the Dodgers haven't offered a timetable for his return. When asked about his recovery after his first mound session in January, Ryu said that he hopes to be ready for Opening Day. Nevertheless, the Dodgers' increased rotation depth affords them extra time if Ryu needs to begin the season on the disabled list and progress through the final stages of his recovery beyond the first week of April. If Ryu is healthy and ready to pitch on Day 1, Alex Wood may end up in the bullpen, or at Triple-A to begin the season, but it would hardly be surprising to see the Dodgers take a cautious approach with Ryu's recovery.

Despaigne was traded to the Orioles on Thursday in exchange for minor league pitcher Jean Cosme, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports.

Despaigne may have the opportunity to compete for a rotation spot this spring, but a long-relief role probably represents his most realistic path to the Opening Day roster. He struggled badly in San Diego last season, posting a 5.80 ERA and 1.38 WHIP over 125.2 innings, with 18 of his 34 appearances coming as a starter. Despaigne's inability to miss bats -- 5.4 K/9 for his career -- becomes an even bigger issue with the move out of San Diego and into the AL East.