MLB Player News

Ross is building up a starter during spring training, but he's expected to open the season in the bullpen if all five members of the Philadelphia rotation are healthy heading into Opening Day, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

The right-hander seems to be the next man up for a starting spot if any of Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Ranger Suarez, Jesus Luzardo or Cristopher Sanchez aren't available to make their first turn through the rotation to begin the season. Ideally though, manager Rob Thomson said Monday that Ross will serve primarily as a multi-inning or one-inning leverage option out of the bullpen. While with Milwaukee during the 2024 regular season, Ross struggled over his 10 starts (4.98 ERA, .321 wOBA, 39:18 K:BB in 47 innings), but he was effective across 15 relief appearances (1.67 ERA, .258 wOBA, 27:11 K:BB in 27 innings).

Manager Rob Thomson said last week that he's considering moving Kyle Schwarber down to third or fourth in the Phillies' everyday lineup this season, potentially clearing the way for Turner to serve as the club's primary leadoff hitter, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

In 2024, Schwarber started 149 of the Phillies' 162 games out of the leadoff spot, with Bryson Stott (10 starts) and Whit Merrifield (three) setting the table in the other 13 contests. Merrifield wasn't re-signed in free agency, and Stott doesn't appear to be an ideal candidate to slot in atop the lineup when the Phillies are at full strength since it would create an imbalance atop the batting order with three lefties (Stott, Schwarber and Bryce Harper) in the first four spots. With Thomson having acknowledged after the past season, during Winter Meetings and last week that he feels Schwarber's power production would be better served in the No. 3 or 4 spot behind Harper, Turner represents the most logical candidate to fill the void atop the lineup. Turner batted exclusively out of the two-hole in 2024, but he made 15 starts out of the leadoff spot during the 2023 campaign and saw plenty of usage atop the order during his stints with the Nationals and Dodgers earlier in his career. A move to the leadoff spot could open up increased running opportunities for Turner, whose 19 steals in 2024 were his fewest in a season since the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign.

Made arrived at the Brewers complex in Arizona in mid-January, Jesus Cano of Baseball America reports.

Made, who was ranked as a top-25 prospect by several outlets before stepping foot in the United States for the first time in January, said through a translator that he felt comfortable and that it's been an amazing experience getting to know his teammates. There has never been a prospect this highly regarded after only playing in the Dominican Summer League, but it's because Made's advanced data is special, as is his athleticism and long-term physical projection. Nobody should be surprised if he's the No. 1 prospect in baseball a year from now, but it's also worth noting that he doesn't turn 18 until May, so it's hard to say how everything will translate with the big jump in competition after he presumably gets assigned to Single-A.

The Dodgers invited Hope to big-league spring training, Eric Stephen of SB Nation reports.

Hope was recently picked by MLB executives as the 2025 breakout prospect of the year in a poll by MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo, so it's not just dynasty managers who are excited about Hope on the heels of a breakout Arizona Fall League showing in 2024. He has a rare combination of strength and athleticism packed into a 5-foot-10 frame and showed an advanced command of the strike zone at Single-A as a 19-year-old, where he got on base at a .419 clip. Hope seems poised to climb multiple levels of the minors this year and may even be assigned to Double-A, bypassing High-A altogether, but a 2025 MLB debut seems highly unlikely given how much talent is ahead of him in the organization.

Turner agreed to terms Tuesday with the Cubs on a one-year, $6 million contract, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

The 40-year-old Turner will join the eighth organization of his career in 2025 after he slashed .259/.354/.383 with 11 home runs over 139 games between the Blue Jays and Mariners last season. Mooney relays that it's "unclear to what extent" the Cubs might consider Turner as an option at third base, where top prospect Matt Shaw (oblique) is the favorite to win the job. The Cubs' plan for now seems to be for Turner to see most of his playing time on the short side of a platoon at first base with Michael Busch, while also getting occasional starts at designated hitter.

Crews projects to be Washington's No. 2 hitter this season, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

Crews made 17 starts at leadoff hitter and six starts in the No. 2 spot last year, in addition to some starts further down the lineup. However, with CJ Abrams expected to lead off, Crews projects to hit second. While Crews is a good hitting prospect, it's his stolen-base potential that is so alluring for 2025, as he stole 12 bases in 31 games last year and his 5.6 percent attempt rate ranked seventh in the majors, per Statcast.

Cincinnati manager Terry Francona said Tuesday that he wants to give Candelario a shot to start at third base, because it sets the team up better, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Candelario will be one of several players who will see time at the hot corner during spring training. In addition to Candelario, the group includes Gavin Lux, Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Noelvi Marte. Prospect Cam Collier will also be in the mix. Candelario added weight during the offseason, but he said it's redistributed and wants to add another five pounds to help get him through the regular season. He missed the final month-and-a-half of the 2024 season due to a toe injury and appeared in 112 games overall during the campaign.

Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said Tuesday that Sanchez (elbow) will play some center field during spring training, Isaac Azout of FishOnFirst.com reports.

Sanchez didn't play center field at all in 2024, but he started six games there in 2023 and 74 games at the position in 2022. The 27-year-old is still likely to see most of his action in right field in 2025, but it's possible he's used in center field on occasion. Derek Hill and Dane Myers are expected to see most of the reps in center field for the Marlins. Sanchez is currently overcoming right elbow inflammation but is expected to be cleared for full activities soon.

Reynolds said Tuesday that he's focusing on being a right fielder rather than potentially seeing some time at first base, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Reynolds began working out at first base in September as the Pirates kicked around the idea of using him there at least on a part-time basis. However, even after the injury to Spencer Horwitz (wrist/thumb), it does not sound like Reynolds is being considered as an option to play first base. Fantasy leaguers should not be counting on the 30-year-old gaining dual eligibility.

Reds manager Terry Francona said Tuesday that Lux will start at second base in Saturday's Cactus League game against the Guardians, then move to third base for Sunday's exhibition clash against the Brewers, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports. Earlier in the day, Francona indicated he wants Matt McLain to be the team's primary second baseman.

There was offseason chatter about McLain moving to center field, which suggested Lux would find a permanent role at second base, but Francona's plans for the start of Cactus League play indicate otherwise. The manager said earlier in camp that Lux will see time at all the infield base positions as well as outfield during spring training. He's expected to serve on the dirt for the first part of the spring schedule before the manager exposes him to the outfield.