MLB Player News

Detmers is one of several pitchers who will be competing for the Angels' fifth-starter role during spring training, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Detmers began 2024 in the Angels' rotation and was sizzling out of the gates with a 3-0 record, 1.19 ERA and 30:7 K:BB over 22.2 innings across his first four starts. The southpaw faded dramatically from there, however, finishing the campaign with an ugly 6.70 ERA and 1.56 WHIP over 87.1 frames while spending much of the season in the minors. There's little doubt that Detmers has impressive stuff -- among other things, he has a no-hitter to his name and a career 25 percent strikeout rate -- but he's yet to put it all together to cement himself as a consistent big-league pitcher. Detmers will have every chance during spring training to show that he belongs in Los Angeles' rotation, but Bollinger considers Jack Kochanowicz the early favorite to secure the team's fifth-starter spot to open the campaign.

Kochanowicz may have a leg up to open the 2025 season as the Angels' fifth starter, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Newcomers Yusei Kikuchi and Kyle Hendricks appear set to join Tyler Anderson and Jose Soriano in the rotation, which leaves one spot up for grabs. Reid Detmers and Chase Silseth (elbow) will almost certainly compete for that slot during spring training, and youngsters Caden Dana, George Klassen and Sam Aldegheri could be in the mix as well, but Bollinger considers Kochanowicz to be the favorite based on his strong finish last year. Over his last nine starts, Kochanowicz posted a 2.78 ERA over 58.1 innings and hurled eight quality starts, though he struck out a meager 20 batters during that span. The latter figure limits his fantasy stock quite a bit, and there's no guarantee that he'll even open the campaign in the majors if he struggles in exhibition play.

Flaherty and the Tigers agreed on a two-year, $35 million contract Sunday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Flaherty will return to Detroit after spending the first half of the 2024 campaign with the team prior to being traded to the Dodgers at the trade deadline in July. The right-hander combined to start 28 regular-season games with Los Angeles and Detroit last year, compiling a 3.17 ERA and 1.07 WHIP with 194 strikeouts over 162 innings. Flaherty will make $25 million in 2025, and his contract includes an opt-out after the season, otherwise he'll make at minimum $10 million in 2026 with the possibility of making as much as $20 million. The 29-year-old figures to again be a valuable asset for fantasy managers in 2025 while operating in a pitcher-friendly ballpark in Detroit.

Mize figures to compete for a back-end rotation spot in spring training, though he may ultimately end up in a long-relief role in 2025, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Tarik Skubal is the unquestioned staff ace, and Reese Olson and newcomer Alex Cobb figure to slot in behind him. Top prospect Jackson Jobe also seems likely to grab a rotation spot this spring, which would leave Mize and the likes of Brant Hurter, Keider Montero and others to compete for the fifth spot. Mize, the top pick of the 2018 draft, has flashed potential as a starter in the majors but has yet to truly live up to his potential. Injuries have been part of the issue, so the Tigers may decide to shift the 27-year-old into long relief in the hope of keeping him healthier and more effective.

Wicks said he has focused on cardio this offseason in order to be able to pitch deeper into games in 2025, as he will potentially start the year in the rotation, Matt Danielewicz of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Wicks dealt with a handful of injuries in 2024, including an oblique strain in late September that ended the lefty's season. With Kyle Hendricks now gone, the Cubs have some rotation spots to fill, and Wicks and Javier Assad are options for the back end behind Justin Steele, Shota Imanaga and Jameson Taillon. However, Chicago also added veteran Matthew Boyd in the offseason, and he will most likely snag a starting spot. That could leave Wicks to handle a long-relief role out of spring training, though he could certainly make starts at some point.

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.

Kershaw (toe) has begun throwing and remains in contact with the Dodgers about returning to the organization, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Dodgers GM Brandon Gomes said at the team's DodgerFest event Saturday that Kershaw and the organization are working to finalize a reunion. Kershaw had surgery on both his left toe and his left knee in the offseason and isn't expected to be ready to pitch by the start of the campaign, but he's publicly stated that he intends to return to Los Angeles for what would be his 18th big-league season. Given that timeline and the Dodgers' loaded rotation, there doesn't seem to be urgency to work out contract details, but it would be a major shock if Kershaw were to pitch for anyone except Los Angeles in 2025.

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.