MLB Player News

Glasnow (elbow) indicated Saturday that his most recent MRI came back clean and that he's been throwing as usual during the offseason, Rowan Kavner of FOX Sports reports. "I've been throwing normal, throwing bullpens, and I feel as good as I've ever felt," Glasnow stated.

Speaking at the team's DodgerFest event, Glasnow explained that the elbow injury that ended his 2024 season turned out to be just tendinitis. The veteran right-hander stated back in November that he was planning to throw twice per week throughout the offseason without an extended break, and it appears that his work this winter has gone smoothly. Given Glasnow's comments, it seems likely that he will be ready to pitch by the time Los Angeles kicks off its season in Tokyo, Japan on March 18, though it's not yet clear if he'll be one of the team's starters for the two-game set against the Cubs.

Sheehan (elbow) has resumed throwing off a mound over the offseason, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Sheehan didn't pitch at all last season due to a forearm injury, and he ultimately underwent an internal brace procedure in May to address the issue. The 25-year-old righty aims to begin a minor-league rehab assignment sometime in May or June, with a return from the injured list likely to come closer to the All-Star break. The Dodgers have done a lot this winter to upgrade their pitching staff, however, so there's no guarantee he'll have a spot waiting for him in the majors once he's healthy.

With the Cubs acquiring Ryan Pressly on Tuesday via trade, Hodge will likely slide into a setup role to start the regular season working in front of Pressly, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

The veteran Pressly has 112 career MLB saves while Hodge only has nine, all of which he recorded during his 2024 rookie season. The Cubs will likely turn to the more experienced player first, but that doesn't completely close the door on Hodge receiving save opportunities. The young righty pitched well last year, registering a 1.88 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 52 strikeouts across 43 innings, and he would presumably be next in line to close games if Pressly falters.

Anderson is out of minor-league options, making him a favorite to begin the season as part of the Atlanta rotation, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

While team president Alex Anthopoulos could still bring in another arm before spring training begins or even during camp, as the Atlanta roster stands, Anderson appears to be in line to open the year as the No. 4 or No. 5 starter behind Chris Sale, Reynaldo Lopez and Spencer Schwellenbach, filling out the back of the rotation along with Grant Holmes. Spencer Strider is expected to miss the first month or so of the campaign as he completes his recovery from elbow surgery, but once he returns, Anderson could be the pitcher bumped to a lesser role. The 26-year-old right-hander hasn't pitched in the majors since 2022, and the one-time top prospect managed a 3.96 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 53:27 K:BB over 52.1 innings for Triple-A Gwinnett last season.

The Reds believe Ashcraft (elbow) could be a bullpen weapon, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Apparently, the Reds held this belief since Ashcraft was drafted, but starters are more valuable, and he had some success in that role initially. Cincinnati added to the rotation during the offseason, and if all are healthy, Ashcraft would be outside the rotation.

Oviedo (elbow) will be paid $850,000 in 2025 after losing his arbitration hearing to the Pirates, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Oviedo had requested $1.15 million when figures were exchanged earlier this month. The right-hander missed the entirety of the 2024 campaign while recovering from Tommy John surgery but is expected to be ready to go for spring training. Oviedo will compete for a rotation spot this spring, but the Pirates might elect to stash him on the injured list for a while to allow him time to knock some rust off.

The Reds signed Miley (elbow) to a minor-league contract Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

He'll earn a prorated $2.5 million if in the majors, and he has a June 1 opt-out, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today. Miley underwent a hybrid UCL repair on his left elbow last May but is hoping to be ready to contribute at the major-league level by late April or early May of this season. The 38-year-old posted a 3.14 ERA and 1.14 WHIP over 120.1 innings with the Brewers in 2023, although that came with just 79 strikeouts. The Reds don't currently appear to have room for Miley in their rotation, but that could change by the time he's ready to pitch.

The Marlins claimed Gillispie off waivers from Atlanta on Tuesday, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.

Gillispie allowed two runs with an 8:5 K:BB over eight innings covering three appearances with the Guardians in 2024 in his first major-league stint. The 27-year-old split his time between the rotation and bullpen last year at Triple-A Columbus, and it's not clear what role the Marlins have planned for him.

Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said Tuesday on the Baseball Isn't Boring Podcast that Kopech (forearm) is going through his normal offseason throwing program and "feeling pretty good."

Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported earlier this month that Kopech could miss the first month of the season due to right forearm inflammation that he pitched through during the postseason. However, Gomes indicated that the reliever is in the same boat as the team's other pitchers in that he'll be monitored this spring; however, at this juncture, a late start to the season is not anticipated. Assuming he's healthy, Kopech will be used in high-leverage situations by the Dodgers.

Sasaki was given a recommendation to undergo Tommy John surgery by a doctor prior to his first season with the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan, Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Sasaki decided against having the operation and eventually discovered the issue was shoulder-related, with a nerve problem leading to discomfort in his elbow. The 23-year-old had durability issues throughout his career in Japan, most recently being limited by arm an oblique injuries over the last two seasons. Sasaki topped out at 129.1 innings with Chiba Lotte in 2022 and tossed 111 frames in 2024. While there don't appear to be any current health-related concerns with the righty, the Dodgers undoubtedly will be careful with his workload. Sasaki is expected to be part of a six-man rotation in 2025, and it's likely additional rest will be built in for him whenever feasible.