MLB Player News

Henry said Sunday that he's been working on adding a cutter to his repertoire during the offseason, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports. The left-hander is adding a sixth pitch to his mix, which also includes a four-seamer, curveball, sinker, changeup and slider.

Henry said the cutter is still a work-in-progress, and the end goal is for it to speed up right-handed batters and make lefties pause when delivered. Change is needed, after both righties and lefties teed off on Henry, who opened the 2024 season in Arizona's rotation before eventually being optioned to Triple-A Reno. The 27-year-old finished with a 7.04 ERA over nine outings (seven starts) for the Diamondbacks. Arizona now has a surplus of starting pitching ahead of Henry, who is likely to begin 2025 at Reno, for whom he has a respectable 4.20 ERA over three seasons in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League.

Skenes has worked on a cutter and sinker this offseason, Noah Hiles of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Skenes noted that his cutter is a variation of his slider, while his sinker is a completely new addition. He didn't commit to throwing the latter in game action, though it sounds as if the tweaks were an attempt to help Skenes pitch more efficiently and work deeper into games. Across his 23 big-league starts in 2024, Skenes completed seven innings only four times, and he was purposefully limited by the Pirates across the final month of the season. General manager Ben Cherington stated that he expects all limitations to be taken off his star pitcher this season, so Skenes' efficiency will ultimately determine his workload.

Montgomery (finger) is scheduled to have a throwing session Tuesday or Wednesday, Jack Sommers of SI.com reports.

The left-hander was diagnosed with a strain of his left index finger Thursday and has been shut down for a few days, but he's expected to be back throwing soon. Montgomery should have enough time to be fully built up for the start of the regular season if he can avoid setbacks.

Teodo (thumb) threw a bullpen session Sunday with no apparent issues, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The right-hander was pulled from his bullpen session Saturday due to thumb soreness, but the fact he returned to throwing a day later indicates it wasn't a serious concern. Teodo is one of the organization's top prospects and posted a 1.98 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 110:50 K:BB across 86.1 innings at the Double-A level last year.

Lodolo started a throwing program in October and comes into camp without any existing medical issues, as opposed to 2024 when he was managing the rehab from his fractured tibia from the 2023 season, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. "It was nice to go into [this past offseason] relatively healthy and build a foundation that can get me through the year," Lodolo said.

Lodolo has entered his arbitration seasons, so a healthy 2025 season carries greater stakes. When healthy, he has flashed ace potential -- alas, "when healthy" has been the predominant concern regarding him. Lodolo has also been working with a metal file on his index finger to prevent a recurrence of the blisters that have plagued him in the past.

Nunez has yet to throw a live batting practice session in camp as the Mets prioritize having the right-hander healthy for Opening Day, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Nunez tossed his second bullpen session of the spring Saturday, but after his 2024 campaign ended early due to forearm trouble and a setback in December prevented him from pitching in winter ball, the organization doesn't want to push him too quickly. Pitching coach Jeremy Hefner didn't even rule out Nunez beginning the season on IL or at Triple-A Syracuse if he needs an extra week or two. "In the range of outcomes, that's definitely a part of it," Hefner said Saturday. "It's our hope to get him ready, and he's on track to be ready. But we are not going to force him into something he's not ready for." Once he is deemed ready, Nunez will have a high-leverage spot in the Mets' bullpen waiting for him after posting a 2.31 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and dazzling 48:8 K:BB over his first 35 big-league innings.

Meyer worked with new Marlins pitching coach Daniel Moskos this offseason on grips for a sinker and a sweeper, as well as on refining his changeup, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

"My slider is going to be more down in depth and my sweeper's going to come across the plate," Meyer said Friday before displaying his new arsenal in a live batting practice session. "I feel like with the movement, there's definitely a big separation between those two... My change is going to be a really good pitch, too, one of my best pitches. I feel like all my pitches are one of my best pitches right now. I just have crazy confidence in them that I haven't had a lot in the past going through the injury." Meyer has relied mainly on two pitches, his mid-90s fastball and nasty slider, dating back to his college days, and if even one of his other offerings can become a quality pitch, it would significantly improve his chances of not just sticking in the rotation but reaching his sky-high ceiling as a starter.

The Nationals placed Gray (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Sunday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

The right-hander underwent Tommy John surgery and an internal brace procedure in July, so it was always a matter of time before he landed on the 60-day IL for this season. Gray started up his throwing program in late January and will continue building up his arm strength in the coming months in hopes of taking the mound late in 2025 for the Nationals.

Buehler threw his first live batting practice Saturday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Boston manager Alex Cora was pleased with the session, noting Buehler's volume of strikes. The right-hander is coming off a rough regular season with the Dodgers, but he was effective during the postseason and hopes to build off that.

Texas manager Bruce Bochy said Saturday that the team is thinking of Gray as a starter, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports. Recent rumors and reports suggested the Rangers are considering using Gray as a closer.

Gray confirmed that he hasn't been approached by anyone in the organization about the possibility of being a closer or reliever, although the pitcher said he'd do whatever is best for the club. "[Gray closing], it's not in our focus right now," Bochy said. "During the season, as always, you make adjustments. I'm not saying that we plan on doing it, but you've got to figure ways to make a team better." The 33-year-old right-hander, who spent three separate occasions on the injured list in 2024, was good out of the bullpen in a small sample size. Gray allowed one run across 5.2 relief innings against the Astros and Diamondbacks on the way to Texas winning the World Series in 2023.